Reptile & Amphibian Forums

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/captive.html

OK, guys, the link above is for MD DNR Captive Reptile and Amphibian permit. It seems like a good system to me. Ignore the part about turtles, because there's a health regulation in MD that prevents the breeding of turtles, but we've had a law passed that will allow DNR to issue breeder permits for turtles. Updated regulations are expected this year that should allow turtle breeding AND include those species that fell through the cracks the first time around (painteds, redbellies, stinkpots, and muds).

Anyway, basically you can have up to 4 native reptiles without a permit, and all four of those could be wild-caught. HOWEVER, if you are selling, breeding, trading, or bartering a native reptile or amphibian, you must have a permit. The record system is fairly simple, from what little I've seen - record your hatchlings, record your sales and purchases.

You cannot possess any reptile considered endangered in the state of MD (List C). That's one sticking point that is bothering a lot of people, because we have some good people that want to, and could very well, breed some of these animals and add to their numbers. Plus, fairly common animals such as common map turtles have a small population in MD, making them endangered in MD, but common everywhere else!

So, what do you think of MD regs?

Katrina

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/captive.html

Please read the whole regs in the website above.
For these regs, endangered indicates MD endangered, a.k.a. "List C". Spotteds and woods are listed in List B, which means you CAN have them with proof of acquisition.

Katrina

When a state reptile is on a "can not have, etc." list it means that you can't have it without permit, etc. regardless of origin. Here in Louisiana we just need a basic fishing license to collect and keep native species, BUT if it is a species native to Louisiana, regardless whether if it came from Mississippi or Texas, it is still regulated. Many state laws are like this. Just because you have a bill of sale from another state doesn't mean it is excluded. ~Bill~
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The state wildlife enforcement officers, or anybody else for that matter, won't be able to distinguish whether a reptile is wild caught or captive bred. Just because you show him a bill of sale doesn't prove that it is the same animal that was bought. When permits are issued in Louisiana, it will be for location, not reptile or breeder. One permit covers whatever is housed at that address for whatever that particular permit is for. I am going to send you an overview of the laws here which, for the most part, we are happy with. Our Society, LGCHS, participates and is part of the Reptile & Amphibian Task Force which works with the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries to formulate state regulations.
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This seems to work well enough for snake breeders and for DNR here in MD. As far as turtles, you can keep NA wood turtles, so long as you have proof they weren't taken from the wilds of Maryland or that you had them before the regs went into affect. If we can get the regs in line with the new law, MD residents should be able to breed woodies - and any other turtle except for List C animals - with a permit, so long as the parents are legal and permitted.

Of course, if something's listed as endangered in MD, you still can't have it, no matter what, unless you have a scientific collection permit. I think people are trying to work on this, though, as there used to be people breeding bog turtles in MD before the regs went into affect 10 yrs or so ago - and then they had to get rid of their bogs.

Katrina

The origin of this thread was for endangered species. You would need a state and/or federal permit to keep certain reptiles. A breeder is not going to be able to furish those kinds of reptiles to anybody. A state could require you to have a permit for their native species and perhaps permits to buy and sell. Endangered species won't be on the docket. Email me at wildtropics@cox.net for a copy of the overview of Louisiana native reptile regulations. ~Bill~
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I think the government has a legitimate interest in protecting endangered species, and making sure that people who keep dangerous animals are qualified to do so. But I don't think they have a blanket right to totally outlaw the possession of all dangerous animals. Also, I believe that captive breeding programs can be supplemented with the assistance of well-educated and dedicated hobbyists who are willing and able to help in restocking the range of endangered species with captive bred specimens.

Yet captive breeding programs of endangered species have been opposed by those fanatics in the animal rights movement who would prefer a species become extinct rather than have efforts mae to restore it with captive bred specimens, e.g. the California Condor. These individuals would also rather see a species become extinct than have its continued survival be guarenteed by a successful economic use of that species.

Otherwise I oppose all other types of laws.

There are a large number of people out there who philosophically object to maintaining exotic animals in captivity under any curcumstances. These individuals, like those people who oppose private ownership of firearms, realize that the best approach is an incremental one. First you outlaw this, then that, and pretty soon there are very few "exotic animals" which can be kept as pets. You overregulate the hobby to the point that no one can afford to enjoy it.