Reptile & Amphibian Forums

you said that copperheads are the only snake to fall under a VRI in NY, well if I got copperheads and kept them for a few years, and wanted to get a endangered species permit what should I do, I would like to breed theese snake someday, for release into the wild or donation to zoos and other places thanks for your time
Wayne

Endangered species permits are EXTREMELY difficult to come by in NY state. Matt is the only person I know who has one, although there are others. If you want one there are a few key things you need to know. Unlike the VRI, they want EXACT reasons as to why you want to keep any of the species, so by saying you want to breed them or for scientific research isn't good enough. The DEC wants to know how many years experience you have, they want references from professionals or from others who have their ESP, they want to see a college degree in biology, and they want to see you holding a position that has something to do with biology.
The VRI isn't that difficult to get, the ESP is a completely different story.
I'm sure Matt will have more to add.

ok thanks so much, I have one more question if I can't find a mentor to show me how to handle venomous snakes, can I still get a VRI in NY? thanks again and sorry for all the questions, I just wanna make sure I do this the right way
Wayne

VRI's are easier to obtain, assuming you can get someone to mentor you. Obtaining a copperhead is very straight forward, BUT, let me warn you, that the pending legislation will BAN all commercial breeding of copperheads, so that's not a valid reason for obtaining them. Second, no zoo really has a need for one, as there are scads of them out there already. Finally, you may not release them into the wild; it's a violation of NY state law as well as a bad idea, given that they can transmit zoonoses to other wild snake populations. Several people have wanted to re-introduce timber rattlesnakes for years, but its never been approved (more likely because of political backlash that the DEC would get from setting loose dozens of poisonous snakes----but the ignorance of the public, is a topic for another discussion).

As for ESPs, Tom is right...their tough as nails to get, unless you are using the snakes for educational or scientific reasons(venom study, etc.).

Find a mentor, then apply for the VRI for a copperhead. Also, get a Captive born southern. THey are prettier, and you are not pulling from the wild populations.

Matt

if you have any questions. I'll be giving a presentation at the Western NY Herp Society Show this Sunday in Buffalo. This will be a prestation of Costa Rican herps, specifically venomous snakes.

For info: www.wnyherp.org.

Later on 10/3 I'll be displaying Neo-tropical pit-vipers and Native NY snakes (including timber and massasauga rattlesnakes) at the Upstate Herp. Association Open House at the beaver lake nature center in Baldwinsville.

You can check out some of the animals there. And stop and chat about the permits.

Matt
www.matabuey.com