Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sorry for making a new topic but I heard they are illegal in most states after contacting a store to see if they have any, Is this true? and why are they? being that they are non venomous and do not get large, why?

Who told you that?

Well I called petco and a lady told me that. I'm from cali but I'm living in ny with my mom, anyway excuse my language but it really sucks that It if is baned in newyork I can't have one. The one snake I actually want...

I see people buying and selling ball pythons from and in New York all the time. I think she was mistaken. I don't know of any place that bans ball pythons.

Thanks a lot, I was starting to get worried that I wouldnt be able to purchase it, you know how some people hear python or boa and say "oh no no its illegal" before you even say what type, like a rosy or something. Also she said I think and sounded like she said burmese or something, anyway thanks.

Actually I believe the keeping of some reptiles in NYC is illegal or at least regulated. For sure Ball pythons, Large boids, and iguanas are. But this ban is not for the entire state. FYI some states require a 'Possesion Permit'. You need to check with your local Government, and the state 'Fish Game and Wldlife' agency.

Good luck!
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"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
COLD BLOOD.........WARM HEART

Many states are starting to ban boids that are over 6-8 feet depending on the state. You can check with your Department of Fish and Game - however it's rare that you'll see a Ball over 6 ft. Also most pet stores wouldn't know the difference between a ball python a burmese python and boa constrictor.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

Some cities have bans on "large snakes" or "pythons". I think some parts of CA you cant have rosy boas, maybe she thought you ment that. I dont know. Maybe she just dosnt like snakes.

Ben

LoL Wlinville I was thinking the same thing, either way i'm determined to find a BP tomorrow. I'll be going to 3 or 4 shops and I will look for a BP or next best thing to that.

Hey I just got a list and I think ball pythons are included =( even though I might be wrong with the classifications, here it is, can someone confirm that balls are banned?

10.Reptiles (Reptilia). All Helodermatidac (gila monster

and Mexican beaded lizard): all front-fanged venomous snakes, even if devenomized, including but not limited to all Viperidae (viper, pit viper), all Elapidac (cobra, mamba, krait, coral snake). All Atractaspidae (African burrowing asp all Hydrophiidae (sea snake), all Laticaudidae (sea kriat): all venomous, mid- or rear-fanged, Duvernoy-glanded members of the family Colubridae, even if devenomized: any member, or hybrid offspring of the family Boidae including, but not limited to, the common or green anaconda and yellow anaconda; any member of the family Pythonidae, including but not limited to the African rock python, Indian or Burmese python. Amethystine or scrub python:

I believe that there may be some kind of city ordanance against exotics in New York City, at least there was talk of it not that long ago. But saying that they are illegal in most states is utter baloney.

Damn I knew getting a BP in new york was to good to be true, I dont think its fair to ban all pythons however. Anyone have any alternatives? Even though I wanted that as my first snake I am willing to get another.

Just get the snake.
If anything ever comes up(and it is illegal), what is going to happen? It's not like they are going to raid your house for a ball python.
You just moved from Cali, brought the snake with you, didn't know you couldn't have it.

I wouldn't worry too much about the ignorant ordinance bs, not if all you are keeping is a ball python.

Disclaimer: this is for entertainment purposes only. I am not condoning breaking the law.

Cole Maas

Lol I get what you are saying cole, I just dont want my moms house to be seized or something with a $5000 fine. Ofcourse Im exagerating but still. I might get a nice gopher or pine snake for an alternative since they are husky and come in tri color varieties plus they are easy to care for, not so bad for a second pick? And they are allowed (they are pituophis I believe).

but you wouldn't call them tri-color. Tri-color generally refers to the banded kingsnakes and milksnakes.
If you do go with a pine... I would recommend black pines.
Great snakes, the nice ones look like indigos.
They can be a bit intimidating but most are just bluffing.
They might even be more enjoyable for handling and watching, they tend to be much more active than ball pythons.

Cole Maas

Yea I saw the black one it looked black with a shade of blue which is really cool,also they are diurnal whereas some or most BP's are nocturnal (not saying thats bad). Both great snakes, thanks again to this board for answering my questions quick and fast.

check with local fish and game and with your county because what i have seen is that it is usually a county ordinance. there are several counties in IN and MI that they are not allowed in - because they are ' constrictors ' no matter how long or short they are. but the counties are ususally far and few between.

Michigan?!??? Uh oh, whad I miss?

Quig

You didn't miss anything, just the "is this legal" question. Remember (question poster, not Quig) that anytime you get advice from PetCo (or any other petstore) it needs to be taken lightly and backed up with a posting on here. As you have done.

Listen to what Tosha said and remember that if you are going to house one illegally make sure you keep them behind the illegal pot, pirated movies (except for Star Wars Episode 3), and firearms... The snake will most of the time get you a larger fine/jail time! As for the pirated Star Wars 3, I think it carries the death penalty or a life sentence in a cell with Jar Jar...

Though there is always the option of just telling the police that it is a new overweight garter snake morph and not a constrictor!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

LOL, I'll tell him what I did when I got busted with the turtles.........."I was just tryin' to keep them from getting run over!"

Quig

np
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids