they are legal as far as i know. call the dec and ask to talk to the person in charge of issuing reptile related permits. the guys name is chris something. Ny allows no venomous unless you have an educators permit. the laws in NY are kinda funny. you can own venomous big constrictors crocs if you have the educators permit but you cant buy sell any of them within the state. so you have to purchase them from out of state.