Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After recently getting a new job in MA I wanted to move to make my drive easier. I called Masswildlife and I was basically told there is no way at all that I will be able to legally keep my alligator in Mass. The guy on the phone was actually a jerk to me. I am a responsible keeper and have a good job to pay for everything my gator needs I really don't see why its such a big deal. Friends/fam don't see what the big deal is there answer is just to get ride of the thing. So I'm at a loss of what to do. The whole situation sucks. Is there anything I can do about this situation or is it no use?

Many states will allow educators to keep certain restricted animals for educational purposes. You may want to check with some of the people that do exotic animal educational shows in MA an find out the requirements. Here's one that does programs in MA and uses alligators:
http://www.curiouscreatures.org/outreachprograms1.html
http://www.curiouscreatures.org/kidzparties32.html

Hope this helps!

John

WILD ANIMALS REQUIRING A PERMIT

Permits in this category are issued only for certain scientific, educational, commercial, or other specific reasons, (See 321 CMR 2.12). Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are actively engaged in the activity for which they have applied for or received a permit.

Permits are not issued for keeping these animals as pets. The only exception is for a prohibited animal for which there is proof it was in the owner's possession within Massachusetts before July 1, 1980. This exemption is granted only for the life of that particular animal.

Any animal listed in any category of the Red Books of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, any category of federal endangered species law or listed on the Massachusetts list of endangered, threatened, and special concern species may not be possessed without a permit. AMPHIBIANS:

All amphibians may be lawfully kept without a permit except rare species.

REPTILES:

Turtles:
Lawful (no MassWildlife permit required): All turtles, except rare species and those below.

Unlawful: the Argentine (Chaco) Tortoise, Gopher Tortoises and related species, and the Pancake Tortoise.

Snakes:
Regulations regarding the possession of snakes are quite detailed and should be consulted (321 CMR 9.01) for specifics. Some generalities are listed as follows.

Lawful(no MassWildlife permit required):

All species of boas and pythons, regardless of size, except rare species, and those listed as Unlawful
Shield-tailed Snakes and Sunbeam Snakes;
Worm Snakes (except rare species), Thread Snakes, and related species;
Several so-called "harmless" snakes, including Brown and Redbellied Snakes, Garter and Ribbon Snakes, Glossy Snakes, Green Snakes, House Snakes, Kingsnakes and Milksnakes, Rat Snakes (except rare species), Water Snakes, the Western Hognosed Snake and certain others.
Unlawful: Emerald Tree Boa, Green Tree Python, African Rock Python, Reticulated Python, and all Anacondas; Black Rat Snake; other rare species, any other snake not specified as lawful. Possession of ALL venomous ("poisonous" snakes is prohibited.

Crocodilians:
Lawful: None.

Unlawful (MassWildlife permit required): all crocodilians, including alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gavials.

Lizards.
Regulations regarding the possession of lizards are quite detailed and should be consulted (321 CMR 9.01) for specifics. Some generalities are listed as follows.

Lawful (no MassWildlife permit required):

All skinks (including the Solomon Islands Prehensile-Tailed Tree Skink) rare species, and skinks listed below as unlawful.
False Club-tailed Lizards, Girdle-tailed Lizards, Plated Lizards, and Rock Lizards;
Most Teiid Lizards;
Some Lacertid Lizards and Lateral-fold Lizards;
All Gekkos except rare species and the Big Bend Gekko;
Several iguanids, including Basilisks, Collared and Leopard Lizards, Common (Green) Iguana, False Iguana, New World Chameleons, Spiny Lizards, and Tree and Bush Lizards;
Some Agamid Lizards, such as the Water Dragon, and most Night Lizards.
Unlawful:
Rare species, Florida Sand Skinks, Solomon Islands Ground Skink, Chameleons, Monitor Lizards, Gila Monster and Beaded Lizard, and any other lizards not specifically listed.

That should give you an idea what you are looking at.....