Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First off, Hello everyone! I have a few "small" delima's to solve.

I'm been in LOVE with Micrurus fulvius, coral snakes, for many many years now (I'm only 20, so I started young) and I'm as soon as my TAX RETURN (yay!) gets here, I'm purchasing one (maybe two) Micrurus from a dealer in Florida. The few places I've found show that there are pretty much no limitations on venomous here in Texas, especially non-protected native species (I called the Parks and Wildlife a few months ago on collecting and breeding local species...)

Anyway, the problem will arise later this summer when I move to Michigan. I don't really know where to find the current and/or future laws pertaining to keeping venomous snakes in Michigan. Does anyone have a link or first-hand knowledge of laws around the country?

Now, the other probs: We are driving the 23 hours to Michigan. Any advice on keeping a coral "ok" while driving for that many hours non-stop with all the vibrations?

Lastly, what about the laws of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana? Suppose on the off chance I get pulled over and a cop sees a coral snake in my backseat and I'm 1,000 miles from the address on my drivers license... Any advice? Are there specific states I should avoid altogether?

Any advice would be most helpful.

Thanx in advance!

Joseph
a.k.a. -Venom

As for state laws, try www.coastalreptiles.com. I'm not sure what interstate situations you might have to worry about.

Bill Huseth

Well...It's like this..

Michigan had two bad bite last year...I think keeping hots may be illegal by the time you get there this summer. Many states have, or are in the process of banning venomous snakes from captivity.

Also, There is no longer a USA produced A/V for Coral Snake bite. What is left of the Wyeth Coral Snake Anitvenom is in short supply. It is most likly not stocked in states outside of the Corals Snakes Range....you need to order some Mexican coral snake A/V to be prepaired.

Al
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The more people I meet...the better I like my venomous snakes.

Canada isn't too far from where we plan to move. How are the laws in Toronto?

I'm so tired of losing one freedom after another here... *sigh*

Joseph
-Venom

The city of Toronto inhibits venomous keeping. The province of Ontario doesn't however and it's just a matter of looking to find a city/town that doesn't ban them. I don't know the details of why you are moving but it seems like going through the immigration process is a bit much just so you can have a coral snake.

Im some respects I think our Canadian brothers & sisters are in a slightly bigger mess. People have been trying to import A/V and the gov't won't let them...

Al
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The more people I meet...the better I like my venomous snakes.

Transporting venomous into states where it is illegal will get you into a world of trouble (even if they are being transferred to states where they are legal). In Illinois, a private individual cannot own a venomous reptile and there isn't a permit process in place to do so (I run a wildlife center so places like mine, zoos, etc are exempt). If you did take this chance, you might want to make sure that you have something in writing from a state agency stating that you have the proper permits to keep the animals. Better yet, I would recommend shipping the snakes (Delta, etc.) to someone who can watch the animal for you until your arrive in town.

Al is right, Michigan has had a couple of highly publicized snake bite cases and I won't be surprised if there is a statewide ban in the very near future (so don't get your hopes up on keeping a coral snake....you might want to consider a milk snake!).

Texas seems to be the safest place to live in terms of keeping hots. I don't see that state instituting too many restrictive laws in the near future.

>>First off, Hello everyone! I have a few "small" delima's to solve.
>>
>>I'm been in LOVE with Micrurus fulvius, coral snakes, for many many years now (I'm only 20, so I started young) and I'm as soon as my TAX RETURN (yay!) gets here, I'm purchasing one (maybe two) Micrurus from a dealer in Florida. The few places I've found show that there are pretty much no limitations on venomous here in Texas, especially non-protected native species (I called the Parks and Wildlife a few months ago on collecting and breeding local species...)
>>
>>Anyway, the problem will arise later this summer when I move to Michigan. I don't really know where to find the current and/or future laws pertaining to keeping venomous snakes in Michigan. Does anyone have a link or first-hand knowledge of laws around the country?
>>
>>Now, the other probs: We are driving the 23 hours to Michigan. Any advice on keeping a coral "ok" while driving for that many hours non-stop with all the vibrations?
>>
>>Lastly, what about the laws of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana? Suppose on the off chance I get pulled over and a cop sees a coral snake in my backseat and I'm 1,000 miles from the address on my drivers license... Any advice? Are there specific states I should avoid altogether?
>>
>>Any advice would be most helpful.
>>
>>Thanx in advance!
>>
>>Joseph
>>a.k.a. -Venom
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

They're not difficult to catch if you live in central/ south Texas. FWIW, I've not had good luck keeping those I've caught around here (Austin) for any length of time. It might be different down south or over along the gulf but mine only wanted Leptotyphlops and those are pretty seasonal around here. Also, they're a pretty poor display animal; hide under the mulch all the time, whippy and highly-strung. If you're looking for an interesting venomous snake to catch around here, why not Agkistrodon? Hardy, nice display animals, manageable disposition, easy to find. Good luck, whatever your decision.