Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently contacted the state Fish & Wildlife division regarding possession and breeding of Elaphe guttata guttata because of a small blurb I read on another reptile site that stated a permit was required to breed corns because they are indeginous to the state. I had planned to try breeding my snow corns again this coming year (failed attempt this year) and needless to say I have no intention of breaking the law. This is the reply I received, and should be heeded by every Virginia keeper, especially if you breed and sell the offspring...

You can have up to five individuals of each species of snakes for private use as long as none of the snakes are listed at Threatened and Endangered. However, if you breed them you will probably end up with more than 5 so you will need a propagation permit. This permit also allows for the selling of the offspring, but even if you are not interested in selling them you would still need the permit for over-the-limit possession.

You can find this application on line on our website - dgif.virginia.gov - under forms - then permits and lifetime licenses. The permit is a propagate and sell permit - the fisheries version. Let me know if you have any questions.

This is just something I thought important to share, whether we are hobbiests or professional breeders.

Raven

The Kentucky law is almost the exact same except we got the law changed to exempt morphed specimens. How much is your permit? Kentucky's is $100 yearly.

>>The Kentucky law is almost the exact same except we got the
>>law changed to exempt morphed specimens. How much is your
>>permit? Kentucky's is $100 yearly.

www.dgif.state.va.us/forms/PERM/PERM-016.pdf

As best I can tell from reading the permit, it's $12.50 a year and up to the individual to renew yearly - in other words, they don't send out notice regarding expiring renewals. I don't know if hybrids are included in this or not. I'll email her back to find out since in addition to my four corns, I also have a creamsicle corn. If they include hybrids, I'm already over the limit of what I can own without a permit (5 or more requires a permit). I also noticed in reading the permit application that you are not allowed to sell any corns over 16" without prior state approval, effectively restricting sales to hatchlings. I can kinda understand the logic behind that though. If you're selling hatchlings, they are almost positively captive bred, whereas larger animals could potentially be wild caught...which is not allowed with or without a permit.

Raven

Thanks for sharing that Raven! I remember when I was keeping Corns and Black rats (10-15 years ago) the rule was there. I didn't breed them then because I wasn't sure what I'd do with the hatchlings (boy have times changed). Now all my snakes are non-native so hopefully no restrictions there.
Lora

I didn't offhand find anything much about non-native wildlife as pertains to snakes (premit related anyway). The only mention I did find of them was on a permit to possess non-native/exotic wildlife, but it was vague in reference to reptiles, seeming to target mostly venomous reptiles or potentially dangerous animals...of course, the latter is always open to interpretation. I did mention in my original email to the Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries that I kept and bred boas and pythons and nothing was said in the return email about me needing permits or licenses for such. I would *think* they would have mentioned that if it were applicable.

Raven

P.S.
Do you plan to go to the NVRE this coming Saturday?

Hi Raven,
Yep- when I read it, it really seemed targeted at exotics like big cats or poisonous snakes. Of course, the localities can always pass some law that bans large snakes, or boids (I think they may have done that in one of the Tidewater areas).
Lora
-BTW- I sent you an e-mail through Kingsnake about the show.