Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know where I can legally obtain an Eastern Massasauga?

What state do you live in?

I live in michigan and the law says you have to get a permit from the dnr to take them from the wild, which i would never do, but if someone already has a breeding population(and a permit) couldn't i get one from them?

I believe you still have to have a permit, or else the person with the breeding colony would be at risk of violation, as well as yourself. The only legal way you would be able to get a massasauga would be from a person with a permit (after you get your permit) and a cb population, even with a permit I don't think ANY state allows s.c. catenatus to be taken from the wild, I could be wrong on that though.
You may be able to acquire an eastern from a state where they don't occur (Fl, Ga, etc..), however, I think most dealers won't mess with it because of the Lacey Act, and I don't think many can prove they weren't taken from the wild. If you lived in Fl and wamted one from someone in Fl, it wouldn't be a problem, but in OH, NY, PA, MI , and Ont, it will be. Basically, you have to prove that both of you are legal.
Here in NY, there are only two small pockets of massasauga populations, so the DEC is very particular to who they give there permits to, I know of a few that keep them legally.

Hey thanks for the info. You mentioned you know a few people who own them legally, do they breed them?

I know one is currently looking to breed, but having a hard time finding any legal mates, they are apparently a real pain to acquire. I think it took one person two years just to find one specimen from a person who was legitimate. Westerns and deserts would be much more easier to acquire, they are a dime a dozen at shows, but here in NY they consider all massasauga's one species with no subspecies, so any massasauga permit is a pain to get. I'm not sure if MI has the same laws governing subspecies.
I believe there are a few breeders in the MI area, not sure who they are though, look around some more, or even try your herp societies. Whatever you do though, do it legit, you WILL get caught messing with endangered species.
Good luck.
-tom

Yeah I already have a desert massasauga, and he's great, I was just hoping there'd be a shortcut in getting an eastern, I guess not. Thanks for all the good advice though, if I ever do get one it will be legit, I am a conservationist first.