Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I was wondering what the laws are in owning a dwarf caimen in IL. If it is not legal, then what permits do you need to get one? How do you get a permit and are there any requirements? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

i believe the law is you do not need a permit for a crocodillian under 4 ft. a pet store can sell no crocodillian. The laws written about reptiles in the book "field guid to reptiles and the law" are somewhat incorrect. They were given the guidlines for pet stores. I was talking to Lee Watson about this less than a month ago. Apparently you can keep snakes up to 12 ft as well. but no snake can be sold over 6 ft in a pet store.

Lee was the next person I was gonna ask the next time I was up the at his swap. I called the county I live in and could not get an answer but refered me to a state number. The fella I spoke too said I would need a permit and he was going to mail me an app. Funny thing is, I'm still not 100% clear on what the law is. If anyone can spell it out for me or refer me to someone who knows I would be gratefull. Thanks

You should not need any permit for a crocodillian under 4 ft. Most of the department of ag. does not know what they are talking about. they will transfer you to fish and game and they will transfer you somewhere else and likely back to department of ag. Talk to Lee, he knows these laws in every detail and knows what is changing about them in the hear future. He also has every permit you can get. If you would like to e-mail me privately I will give you more information about keeping crocs over legal sizes. There is a simple loophole but I am not going to say it on here.

You might try an internet search for your state's statutes regarding wildlife, pets, etc. You might be able to find the answers fairly quickly.
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL