Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone happen to know the florida laws on keeping/selling tortoises?

I have 2 leopard torts (Geochelone pardalis)that recently produced some eggs. If all goes according to plan I should have quite a few hatclings running around. Do I need permits for them? I was looking up info and I found that I will need to obtain health certificates for the little ones if I plan to sell them. I can't possibly keep them all.
They are on there 3rd clutch and I have a total of 35 eggs incubating. Which is a lot for my first time dealing with this. The clutches were not too far a part...Batch 1: 10/19/09, Batch 2: 11/25/09, Batch 3: 1/18/10. I am praying that is it for now...until I figure out the laws and get my footing around all this.
Also...What about my 2 big leopard torts? Do they need permits?

Any info is greatly appreciated. Still doing research. Look forward to responses.

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

FL just wants $50 annually from you. You do not need a permit to simply have a pair of leopard tortoises as pets. You do need a class III state license to sell or exhibit reptiles and certain other animals. Here is a link to the site to apply. The permit is good for 12 months at time of issuance. If you ever want to be a vendor at a show in FL you need it. Many private backyard hobbyists do not have it though.

http://myfwc.com/docs/Permits/Permits_Class3ExhApp.pdf

JH