Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,
I'm curious to find out what some of the different state laws are pertaining to reptile ownership. I know each state is dramatically different in how they regulate (or don't regulate) reptile sales and ownership. A lot of states require permits to own venomous, or dangerous reptiles.

In my state of PA, there are NO state laws about any buy/sale/ownership of herps, except for PA herps. So if it's native to PA, it is perfectly legal to own pretty much anything without a permit. The only catch is that a lot of city laws in PA still regulate pet owernship. But it a PA city doesn't have herp laws on the books, you can buy/sell/keep anything you want, venomous, dangerous, or otherwise.

How about YOUR STATE REPTILE LAWS?
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

correction on my last post. I meant to say if it's NOT native to Pennsylvania it's perfectly legal to own any reptile.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

Isn't Pennsylvania great on that aspect? Not to mention many of the pets in the hobby aren't native to PA. My problem is that when I go home (to VA) from school I'll have to get permits and everything else because Virginia regulates more closely. Cornsnakes are also native there which is a pain. They don't say much about exotic reptiles though except crocodilians though which is nice. It's just that native species deal...

~Katie
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JK Pets - Online Pet Supplies

2.3 Cornsnakes (Slink, Shadow, Suzie, Snickers, Selena)
0.1 Columbian Red Tail Boa (Baby)
0.3 Leopard Geckos (Cutie, Lily, and Miss Piggy)
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Sam)
0.2 Pac Man Frogs (Gordito and Spud)
0.1 Suriname Toad (Squishy & the Squishettes)
0.0.2 Giant Millipede (Mega & Mila)
0.0.1 Green Iguana (Iggy)
0.0.1 Red Eared Slider (Tiny)
lots of snails and fish...

What laws are you talking about in Virginia. Im in Virginia also, and my view on the laws is that you can own no more than 5 of each wild species, and the Canebrake Rattlesnake is protected, so you cant have any at all of those, cb or wc.
Individual counties might have a more in depth breakdown, but as far as state laws go, thats it.
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

of each wild species, and the Canebrake Rattlesnake is protected, so you cant have any at all of those, cb or wc.

How is the law worded? You could make the argument, based on current research, that there's "no such thing as a canebrake."
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

What laws are you talking about in Virginia. Im in Virginia also, and my view on the laws is that you can own no more than 5 of each wild species, and the Canebrake Rattlesnake is protected, so you cant have any at all of those, cb or wc.
>>Individual counties might have a more in depth breakdown, but as far as state laws go, thats it.

All it says on the VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website is that you can only collect and posess a limit of 5. I called the office and was told that as long as I fill out one of these www.dgif.virginia.gov/forms/PERM/PERM-018.pdf which is a permit to hold and sell (she did not know anything about breeding and said that this was the only form I would need). Also as long as you have proof that the animal has never known the wild and was CBB (captive born/bred) and not from wild parents they are not considered wild. I'll have to look for more specifics but the state law is very vague. My county laws are much more specific. I'm in Fairfax County and if you're there I can give you the link to look at county laws - that or try your county government website for local codes.

~Katie
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JK Pets - Online Pet Supplies

2.3 Cornsnakes (Slink, Shadow, Suzie, Snickers, Selena)
0.1 Columbian Red Tail Boa (Baby)
0.3 Leopard Geckos (Cutie, Lily, and Miss Piggy)
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Sam)
0.2 Pac Man Frogs (Gordito and Spud)
0.1 Suriname Toad (Squishy & the Squishettes)
0.0.2 Giant Millipede (Mega & Mila)
0.0.1 Green Iguana (Iggy)
0.0.1 Red Eared Slider (Tiny)
lots of snails and fish...

Heres an email I got about clarification of Timbers and Canes in Virginia. First is my question, followed by their response....

"The scientific community seems to have decided that the Timber Rattlesnake and Canebrake are no longer different species. Does the commonwealth of Virginia recognize this also? I spoke to a lady a few months ago about this over the phone, and she indicated that Canes are protected and Timbers are not. If I want to keep a Timber rattlesnake, I need some form of assurance from Fish and Game that I will not be in trouble, or accused of having a snake I don't have."

They responded with......

Hello Tom,

Technically, they are the same species (Crotalus horridus), but it is true that Virginia only protects the southeastern population, which is usually referred to as the canebrake rattlesnake, under State Endangered status. The western population, usually referred to as the timber rattlesnake, is not listed as State Threatened or Endangered. The only protection for the timber rattlesnake (western population) is a regulation stating that it is unlawful to keep more than five individuals of any one species of native or naturalized reptile or amphibian, for private use only - not for sale nor for exhibit. So, as far as state laws and regulations go, it is fine for you to have one to five timber rattlesnakes that are from the Virginia populations that are western (western piedmont and into the mountains of Virginia). Also, you will want to check with the locality in which you live for any local ordinance that prohibits a person from keeping venomous species. The only example of this that I know of is Chesterfield County, which did adopt an ordinance a few years ago prohibiting its citizens from possessing any venomous species. There may be other such ordinances around the state that I am not aware of, so be sure to check for this through your local government.

Thank you for your interest in Virginia's wildlife.

Sincerely,

Susan Horne Watson
Research Specialist Senior
Wildlife Diversity Division
Va. Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries
4010 W. Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 367-1185
Fax: (804) 367-2427
Email: Susan.Watson@dgif.virginia.gov
Website: www.dgif.virginia.gov

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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

n/p
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

>>I'm curious to find out what some of the different state laws are pertaining to reptile ownership.

I'm willing to bet a LOT of us are curious too, or maybe indifferent, despite owning reptiles. I don't think the average citizen thinks about laws before stepping into a pet store to buy a herp any more than if they were buying a goldfish.

I have lived in several cities in several states. With the proliferation of various state and even city laws regarding what can and can't be kept, often the first I hear about what's legal and what's not is when a sting operation happens or a news article describes someone caught with reptiles which are illegal in the particular municipality etc.

The lawmakers themselves don't make it easy for individuals to be made aware of such regulations. There is one place online (can't think of the URL right now) where you can search for regulations by state, county, and city, but even then it's difficult to pinpoint the particular laws within the mounds of codes.

I maintain a state-by-state list of herp regs as pertains to field collection on my website, but haven't yet delved into the plain ol' captive herp laws simply because I know there are SO MANY out there when you consider county and municipal regs, and I don't know where to even look to find them in most cases. However, I'd be happy to start up a page listing such regs if people are willing to contribute URLs.

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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

been there, done it with several pet stores in the past that specialized in reptiles. The very LEAST on potential customers mind was if their city laws prohibited the keeping. Also I have seen this go along with herp shows. Even state laws are non-conformed when someone goes out and catches on purpose or a accidental encounter and brings the herp home.

Here is what i found out from the WV DNR,WV was one of those that seemed to not have any regulations or laws concerning reptiles,but i can atest that there are laws and permits needed.

>From: "Captain Kaven Ransom"
>To: "Bill Daniel" ,
>Subject: Reptile laws for W.V.
>Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 15:49:04 -0500
>
> In Wv. all reptiles are considered wildlife. If you raise and buy or sell
>dead or alive you must have a Game farm License issued by DNR. To do
>business in the State of WV you must also have a business license issued by
>the Secretary of States Office. To import any Wildlife into the State of
>WV. a person must have a business license, Game Farm License, and a
>IMPORTATION PERMIT issued by Paul Johansen Assistant Chief, Game Management
>Charleston 558-2771. Game Farm License are issued fdrom one of Six District
>Offices and re-newed each year by December 1st. Records must be sent in for
>purchases, sells, transfers, birth, deaths, and a end of the yeard report of
>all of these. You can stop by any District Office and view or obtain a copy
>of the Regulations dealing with Wildlife in the State Of West Virginia 8am
>to 5pm any week day.
> One last reg. you may have to deal with is that the Director for The
>Division Of Natural Resources is the only person who issues a permit to
>import VENOMOUS REPTILES. He does not allow the importation, except for
>educational purposes.
> Being that you are located in District One's area you may contact us at
>825-6787 Farmington W.V. If you have any other questions please feel free
>to call, or stop by.
>
>
> Captain Kaven Ransom
> WV. DNR Law Enforcement
>
>
And as for Native WV reptiles here is what i have found:
>From: "Captain Kaven Ransom"
>To: "tennesee jed"
>Subject: RE: Reptile laws for W.V.
>Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 08:02:39 -0500
>
>WV law at this time but may be changing, allows you to catch reptiles that
>are not protected under federal law and keep. you may not breed sell, trade
>without a Game Farm License.

Isnt there a permit or license for PA you can get to legally go out and catch 1 or 2 crotalus horridus(Timbers)native to PA?Not to sure but have had a few folks tell me that was the case.Any info on this?