Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What sort of permits are needed to own a crocodilian? What is involved in getting a permit? Is there anything else, other then a permit, that is needed to legally get a croc? How old do you have to be? Who would I get a permit from? Thanks for the help.

Adam
-----
ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE (Captive Bred, 4 1/2 inches)

I live in Florida if that is important for permit info.
-----
ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE (Captive Bred, 4 1/2 inches)

adam what part of fla do you live . l'm in miami and i have all 3 classes of crocodilian permits. l have a 6 ft nile croc for a pet.

First off all, make sure you really know what you are getting into.

If you are going to keep this as a personal pet there are very few choices, I think you are limited to a few caiman species. You need 1000 hours of work experience with these to apply for a permit, and have a min of 1/4 acre of land. You also need to make sure they are legal in your town and county.

This is not an easy task in florida.

John

Actually I am pretty sure to own even a caiman you need 2.5 acres of land in Florida, someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

no i dont have alot of land . it all depends the city that you live in and if they allow them

What I think is funny about this is you need 1000 hours of experience with the species but how can you get 1000 hours of experience with them if you have to have the permit to own one.

back in the 1980 's you didn't need a permit to own a caiman all the pet shop in miami sold them or could get you one if u wanted one. i'm 37 n0w over 20 yrs of keeping caumans crocs abd gators. s0 alot of people know that you that you know what you are doing.that is why i have all three classes of permits f0r crocidians

to answer your question arthur, I live in Ft. Myers. Thanks for the info everyone. Does volunteering at a wildlife hospital and helping out at Busch Gardens count for my 1000 hours? I've worked at the hospital for 4 years, every weekend and at Busch Gardens for 3 years during the summer. Thanks.
-----
ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE (Captive Bred, 4 1/2 inches)

Adam,

There are three classes of wildlife recognized in Florida's laws. The American Alligator lands in Class III, and may be owned for exhibition or sale only, without the 1000 hour experience requirement.

Class II crocodilians consist of all caimans (except the Black Caiman)and also the Chinese Alligator and Dwarf Crocodile.

All other crocodilians are in Class I(You'll notice that the most dangerous and largest crocs, besides the American Alligator, are listed in Class I).

If you worked at Busch Gardens and any other zoological-related facility, and if you can get at least two of your former superiors there to write letters confirming your 1000 hours of experience for EACH class of crocodilians, and they and you can detail the extent and details of your experience, you have a good chance at getting a permit. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is cracking down on possession of wildlife, and if your experience was in the too-distant past, you may well NOT be granted the license for Class I or II.

Go here to research: http://myfwc.com/permits/#Wildlife

Hope this helps.