Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have some questions about florida's regulations - if anyone knows much about them.

If a small reptile zoo has a class 1 licence for exhibit/sale can they keep an Americian Alligator? - or will this need to be an alligator farm?

Thanks
John

Greetings:

I know quite a bit about keeping crocodilians within the State of Florida, due to the fact I keep several different species with the State.

Florida State Fish and Wildlife has three categories of Class levels with regards to keeping crocodilians.

Class 1 Florida ESA permits(covers all Crocodylus, Melanosuchus, Gavialis, and Tomistoma).

Class 2 (covers Alligator sinensis, all Caiman species, both Paleosuchus species, and Osteolaemus).

Class 3 covers only American Alligators (Alligator
mississippiensis).

Permit applicants are required to comply with all local city and county zoning laws and prove 1000 hours experience with Class 1 and 2 animals. Recently, I believe you may take a written test to circumvent some of the experience requirements.

If you have any questions you may email me at Cubancroc@cox.net

Truly,
Paul Bodnar

I actually e-mailed f/w about this but didn't get a reply. I have read most of the docs on the website and I'm still not sure. Class III I thought was for "personal pet".

Persons possessing Class III wildlife as personal use wildlife shall obtain a no-cost permit from the Executive Director. American alligators shall not be possessed as personal use wildlife and shall be possessed only in accordance with permits issued under Rule 68A-9.002, F.A.C., ss. 372.6673 or 372.921, Florida Statutes.

Greetings John:

Cost for Class 3 permits, last time I checked was $25.00 per year, here is the phone number and address:

Florida Fish and Wildlife
Bureau of Licensing and Permits
2590 Executive Center Circle, Suite 200
Tallahassee, FL 32301
PH 1-850-488-6253

Give these nice people a call and they will walk you through the process.

Truly,
Paul Bodnar

-having a Class II her in Fl that includes caiman and dwarf crocs, I attempted to get a permit for display so that I could have an alligator(s.)- i was denied, and told to get an alligator farmer's license (which I eventually did); I was told by state officials that I need to have an actual pet store or public exhibit if i didn't want to get the farmer's license. Itried every way possible aroung getting the farmer's license, to no avail.