Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got back to Michigan from a trip to Green Valley, AZ. Didn't see any snakes while I was there, but did see a few lizards on an 80*F. day.

I know a bit about keeping snakes in AZ, but I'd like a little more precise info on AZ laws. I know we can keep at least a couple of common snakes, such as the common kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula. What I don't know is if there's ever conditions where you can sell offspring. The AZ law says you can give them away, but I believe it also says you can't sell any native snakes.

What about non-natives? Can you keep and sell snakes, such as California kingsnakes? Then, what if you cross Cal kings with desert kings? Do you have to give those babies away, or can you sell those?

Sorry so many questions, but it'll help me decide what to take with me when we move to AZ. Thanks a bunch for any responses...

TC

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Ratsnake Haven...researching ratsnakes since 1988

Ratsnake Haven Group...an information providing list site.

That alot of info and you should be reading the AZGF reg's for starters.
Go to their site.
Then get a lawyer to properly interpet them for you becuase some of the stuff is confusing and you'll be asking more qustions than you started with. LOL!! K>S>

It has been awhile since I have read up on Arizona but they do prohibit the sale of native species. There are also possession limits for native species. Should a native species in your possession reproduce you have twelve months to give away how ever many you need to in order to return to compliance with the legal possession limits. You can not sell the animals. The California King and the Desert King are both native to Arizona and will thus be regulated. I believe the possession limit for L getula is currently 4 but I do not know if they enforce that for the species or for each subspecies. The laws are generally written to read species. Arizona has a good number of protected species as well as protected areas for different species. The state also prohibits certain species from being imported but I believe these are mostly venomous exotics or potentially nuisance species like marine toads and crocodilians. I highly recommend you call the AZ Game and Fish Commission to get specifics about your particular situation / interests and any recent legislative updates. There may be permits or other mechanisms to extend your available legal activity.
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Randy Hallman

Thanks guys. Randy that's good info, but I guess I'll check out the AZGF site for more specifics. I'm thinking it doesn't count as native if you can show you purchased them from out of state.

TC

If it exists naturally in the wild it's native and it counts (even if you could prove you bought it in Iraq).

the thing to remember is Az. defines "natives" as those animals (and their progeny) as those originating from "within the political boundries" of the state. For example it would not be legal to sell a Mexican Hognose (or it's offspring) that was found within the political boundries of Az. However it would be legal to sell "non-native" Mexican Hognoses that were legally acquired from say Texas or New Mexico, or captive bred off-spring of the Texas or New Mexico snakes, so long as one had good documentaion ie: purchase receipt from the breeder, your Texas or New Mexico hunting license with field notes and a witness to capture etc. The burden of proof is on the state.

The most common misconception I see is that people think that just because it was bred out of state makes it legal to sell. A Santa Rita pyro that was captive bred in California is NOT legal to sell in Az., no matter how many generations have passed, as the originating stock was from within the political boundries of AZ. Hope this helps ya some T.C.

Rich

Sorry so long in getting back, Rich, but I do appreciate the information. When I get ready to come to AZ I'm going to get someone we know in AZF&G to document the long term animals I have and answer some specific questions. The only problems I have right now are my common kings and I have documentation for the Cal Kings. I probably won't be working with the desert kings very much now. Thanks...TC

Hiya Terry, lucky you getting out for awhile anyway!

Your ?'s have been interpreted by G&F law dogs both ways! If the spps can be clearly differentiated such as the rosy boas, or commonly bred such as Caly-kings there hasnt been an issue.
I'd recommend 2 things tho; cover your plans w/ a letter to the law branch chief...
& 2;
Clearly seperate your hobby activities from your commercial & just dont enter the grey zone of crossing az w/ non az specimens...
Where this really gets whacky is where someone like you buys legally; az wildlf elsewhere, moves here & somehow that which was private property in Mi...& now somehow, (& w/o compensation) becomes the providence of this state...I'd think a lawyer could have fun w/ that...

Beers/ RxR

Posted by: ratsnakehaven at Sun Jan 1 10:23:46 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I just got back to Michigan from a trip to Green Valley, AZ. Didn't see any snakes while I was there, but did see a few lizards on an 80*F. day.

I know a bit about keeping snakes in AZ, but I'd like a little more precise info on AZ laws. I know we can keep at least a couple of common snakes, such as the common kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula. What I don't know is if there's ever conditions where you can sell offspring. The AZ law says you can give them away, but I believe it also says you can't sell any native snakes.

What about non-natives? Can you keep and sell snakes, such as California kingsnakes? Then, what if you cross Cal kings with desert kings? Do you have to give those babies away, or can you sell those?

Sorry so many questions, but it'll help me decide what to take with me when we move to AZ. Thanks a bunch for any responses...

TC

HI,John. Thanks for the response.

I don't think I worded my question very well. I'm not worried about my ratsnakes, but I am about my kings (getula). I have some nice morphs from California stock. I forgot AZ has Cal kings too, and should've known I'd have probs with those.

Do you think if I mailed AZG&F copies of my receipts they'd let me breed and sell babies from those morphs, and would there be a limit on how many I could keep? I suppose I could include photos also (like the one below). They do let folks sell babies from non-native snakes, right? I guess I won't be crossing any Cal king genes into my desert kings...too much of a gray area

I enjoyed being in AZ for awhile. The weather was gorgeous, but we all had colds to fight. I managed hikes to Mt. Hopkins, Madera Canyon, and Florida Canyon. Herps weren't active, but sure saw a lot of birds and other animals. A few notables were green-tailed towhee, golden eagles, solitary vireo, several warblers, canyon wrens, and broad-billed and magnificent hummingbirds at feeders.

The photo is one of my blue-eyed blonde kings from El Dorado stock...

TC

A good person to contact might be Kerby on the kingsnake forum. I heard you can sell Cal Kings in AZ as long as they are clearly not the AZ wild types. So Blue-Eyed Blonds, Davis Brown Bellies, Striped Phase, Abberrants, Bannanas, High-Whites and albinos are all ok to keep and sell. Again check with F&G, that info is just for some more specific questions you can ask them.

Thanks, that's what I have are blue-eyed blondes and Davis black-bellies. I'll talk to Kerby about it

TC