Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I caught wind that MA has a "no-retic" law? Does anyone know anything about this??? I'm moving to the MA area in July so I really need to know this. :/

If they have a law against retic keeping, more than likely the same is with burms and possibly other snakes that get over 6' (which seems to be the norm for cities allowing or not allowing snakes).

Thanks for any and all advice,

Amanda Rose

In Rhode Island, There is a ban on Retics, and Anacondas, so I wouldnt doubt what you had heard was true.. What I would do is get in touch with the SPCA in the city you plan to live in and go from there. They may know, or they might put you in touch with animal control. Anyways, even though you cant own a retic in RI you could get a burm, rock, etc....

good luck!

-----
-echo-

1.1.1 - Ball Python
1.0.0 - Tiger Retic
0.0.1 - Brazilian Rainbow Boa
0.0.1 - Savu Python
0.0.1 - Spotted Python
1.0.0 - Tiger Salamander
1.1.0 - Red Spot Toad
0.1.0 - Betta Fish

Thanks so much for your reply. I told Vic he needs to ask the local animal control in the area he would like for us to live in to see if they have any issues with large boids. Hopefully it's not a problem or at worst, they'll make me buy a permit (no prob) but we shall see.

Hugs and I love seeing pics of your beautiful baby!

Amanda Rose

I would not worry about it too much. There are alot of things that are illegal but if they only occur in your own home then it is not realy illegal, you know. Unless you regularly have your retic or conda outside it plain view then it shouldn't be a problem. I have only had my burm for a year and I would not give him up for a reason like some dumb law intended for inexerienced keepers who are not suited to caring for a large constrictor anyway.

Just my opinion though.
-----
1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Burmese Python

You might want to see if you can get a permit for your snakes. A few years back a 16 foot burm got lose in a busy area, 200 bullit holes and some tire marks they killed the snake. The next day they passed a ban in my county on all constrictors. My city allows you to have them by permit only, $50 per snake per year. They come out and inspect your cages and the room you have them in. So find out if a permit is avalible. And who could ban cute little anacondas???
-----
GOD,I LOVE ANACONDAS!!!!! Eric aka Mr.A

is, I am asking Vic to check the city he is wanting us to move to and ask them about their specific rules. If there is the option of a permit, I fully plan to exercise that. ;D

I don't want to hide my animals, I want to educate people on them. Besides, we are more than likely going to rent a house for now since we aren't planning on staying up there permanently so it's also a battle to find a landlord that isn't afraid of reptiles. LOL! ;D

Hugs!

Amanda Rose

Advising someone to violate a law jsut becasue you do not agree with it is foolish. It is just this mentality that has brought new laws passed in new cities all the time. If they are illegal to own in a city then it is illegal to on them anywhere within that city which includes within your house. Even if you disagree with the law it is wise to obey them. Todd

I don't wish to keep my animals hidden. I don't take mine out in the front yard either but, I don't want to "hide" my animals illegally by any means. :/

Amanda Rose

I would like you to tell me one thing thats legal "if they only occur in your own home" underage drinking? drugs? right...
They law is what it is and when someone gets cought with reptles they arent supposed to have its bad press for the rest of us.

and I dont mean to offend but as far as the comment goes about "some dumb law intended for inexerienced keepers who are not suited to caring for a large constrictor anyway." you have a ball python and you have had a burm for a year? I dont personaly you really have enough experince to make statments like that. And I also think that if you DID have the experince and the capability you care for a large constrictor you WOULDNT make such an ignorant post.

have a good day.

-----
-echo-

1.1.1 - Ball Python
1.0.0 - Tiger Retic
0.0.1 - Brazilian Rainbow Boa
0.0.1 - Savu Python
0.0.1 - Spotted Python
1.0.0 - Tiger Salamander
1.1.0 - Red Spot Toad
0.1.0 - Betta Fish

This coming from someone who named their snake Jesus...

Am I ignorant because I named my retic Jesus? i dont see how...

want to clue me in?
-----
-echo-

1.1.1 - Ball Python
1.0.0 - Tiger Retic
0.0.1 - Brazilian Rainbow Boa
0.0.1 - Savu Python
0.0.1 - Spotted Python
1.0.0 - Tiger Salamander
1.1.0 - Red Spot Toad
0.1.0 - Betta Fish

I'm sorry, but echo0330, that is by far one of the nicest tiger retics I have ever seen... I'm just wondering where you might have gotten it?. Did it always have so much.. I guess you could say White in it?!

I thought you were going to balst me for the last post ha

anyways, I dont remember the name of the guy who i got it from, but he was an @$$ hole. I wish I knew his name / company name because "jesus" is one of my Fav animals and hasnt given me any problems.

His colors seem to get better everytime he sheds, so i dont know how hes going to look full grown, but i cant wait to see

well, he's freshly shed and tomorrows going to be a sunny day so hopefully ill have the chance to get a few new pic of him.

heres a pic of him and his pattern:

-----
-echo-

1.1.1 - Ball Python
1.0.0 - Tiger Retic
0.0.1 - Brazilian Rainbow Boa
0.0.1 - Savu Python
0.0.1 - Spotted Python
1.0.0 - Tiger Salamander
1.1.0 - Red Spot Toad
0.1.0 - Betta Fish

I'm not going to be as harsh as Echo, but people do have to realize that laws restricting people from owning giant snakes (in certain counties/cities) is a benefit to the potential people around the giant, the potential owner and more importantly, the snake itself, and is definitely not "dumb."

I think maybe what Rich was trying to articulate in his post was that if a particular action (breaking of a law) is being conducted in the privacy of one's own home and does not affect anyone else, then there is no harm done. The problem is that that owning a potentially dangerous giant snake can potentially harm many people as well as the snake, hence the reason for certain laws restricting the ownership of giant snakes.

heres the thing theres no state law against 10' and over snakes there are laws against retics,condas and rock pythons though. Fish and Game rarely grants permits to keep retics. Hopefully things will change but, if you have a retic in MA chances are good in you flaunt it and make it known Mass Fish and Wildlife will be at the door

You DO NOT want to tangle with MA laws on big constrictors. Sure, there are plenty of folks in MA who keep them, but they do so not only at their own risk of exposure, but also at risk to the herpetocultural community as a whole. We've seen several occasions where "illegal animals" are turned into huge newsworthy events with lots of negative media attention, and as we all know, that does absolutely nothing to help our hobby.

Where in MA are you looking? You may want to consider moving to one of the state line towns in NH if it's feasible - there are no laws here governing large constrictors. "Live free or die."

Kara - NERD
-----
www.newenglandreptile.com
The Most Extensive Collection of Ball Python Mutations in Captivity

KAra excellent point. the fact is MA laws are dinosaur laws. Fish and Wildlife coudn't tell a garter snake from a cobra. The thing here is yes its illegal but, eventually their going to have to look at the laws and change them. I mean no chondros or chameleons? There should be a mean somewhere between MA gastepo like laws and NH's get anything you want as long as its not venomous