Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Whats the deal on collecting and or buying native snakes in Jersey ? Ive heard many different things and Ive checked the Jersey wildlife pages and couldnt decipher what was being said. If it is illegal why isnt any of the local hobbyist fighting these rules.

Regards,

Graham

My understanding is that collecting wild snakes is not permitted at all. Danny may know the answer to that better than I. Endangered/threatened species are not permitted to be owned (ie: cornsnake) with rare exceptions (ie: albino corns- any with red eyes - are OK, other morphs are not). You can purchase and possess most other species of snakes within the state of NJ, with the hobbyist permit which is $10/year for as many animals as you own.

NJHS has been trying to work with FG&W on getting some of the herp laws changed, but it is a long uphill battle that needs the support of NJHS member to succeed.

Hope this answered your questions.
Meri

Quick remark on what can and can not be done as far as collecting and keeping in NJ. Collection is absolutely forbidden unless you have the proper permits and unless your a herpetologist working with the dept of F&W Or a well known herper like Danny, working for places like the liberty science center, forget trying to get the permit.
Second, true, you can not keep endangered species like the a normal Corn snake or Bog Turtle, threatened species (Northern Pine snakes as an example) are still ok to keep as long as you can prove your getting them from a breeder. We had a big "brew-ha-ha" about this point and in the beginning of the society (1998) we were told you were not allowed to keep threatened species but later found that to be untrue. In one day, we had two people who work in the same office tell us two different things: Yes you can keep threatened species and No you can't The people at F&W seem to be getting better with this but either way, we do need to work with the society and F&W to get the laws changed.
Just my two cents!
Robert Sposato
Founder, NJHS

ok what are the laws in nj for anacondas, retics, redtails, nile monitrs, frilled dragons, pantehr chamelons, brown basilsk?

all of those species are currently legal in the state, but you may want to check your local ordinances. Put those animals on an exotic permit before they make anymore of them illegal to keep!!! grandfather clause!!

Are there any movements right now to change existing NJ regs ? I dont live in NJ but I do love the animals that come from there and would be willing to help any way I can.

Keith