Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How's it going everyone?!!

I have a quick question, and please forgive me if this has been a recent topic, this is my first time on this gila & beaded forum.

Can someone please tell me what the legality's are for possessing beaded's in California. Do I have to possess and maintain a permit or captive breeding records from the breeder, or anything else, following a purchase of one from someone?

Thanks in advance!

Short answer is Yes. You need a permit and can only keep beaded lizards and reticulated gila monsters (not bandeds).

Hopefully someone from CA will chime in with more details.

-Chris
-----
Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

This is not correct.

The state of California DOES NOT regulate beaded lizards (Heloderma horridum ssp.). As far as the state of California is concerned, no permit is needed to keep, breed, buy or sell them, and there is no limit on numbers in possession, nor are you required to keep purchase or sale records (though you may want to do that for your own purposes). They were considering adding them to the restricted species list last year, but a group of local keepers, with the assistance of an attorney and USARK were successful in getting them to drop the idea. CDFG was approached about the subject in a professional manner, and they responded in a very reasonable way. It is unlikely that the matter will ever come up again.

Chris is correct on the gila monsters. A permit (which is VERY difficult to obtain) is required, and only reticulated gilas can be kept since bandeds occur here and are protected.

All that being said, there may be city or county restrictions on keeping venomous reptiles that you would need to comply with. Each city and county is different. Some have regs some don't, some are easy to work with, some not so much. You will have to check into your local government regs yourself. Most cities and countys have websites you can check for this information.

Sam

>>Short answer is Yes. You need a permit and can only keep beaded lizards and reticulated gila monsters (not bandeds).
>>
>>Hopefully someone from CA will chime in with more details.
>>
>>-Chris
>>-----
>>Christopher E. Smith
>>Contact
>>Captive Bred Herps
>>Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Thanks very much for the feedback, man!

Good to know.

There is no permit needed for Heloderma horridum in the state of California. Special thanks to Patrick M. Ciocca Attorney at Law and the local keepers of which Sam and were part of.
Cities and counties have their own regulations check with your local animal control. Most places in CA will allow Beaded lizards some require an exotic animal permit some do not.
Good Luck
Steve

HorridumAngeli\'s Heloderma Web site

Thanks for the info Steve.

sorry for the mad-spamming. My blackberry is malfunctioning.

I just thought you were so happy with the answers you got that you had to say it four times...

Hahaha!!! Well yeah, I did like the response I received, but unfortunately no, it was a technical difficulty. LOL! One that I'm still dealing with.

Thanks for the info Steve.

Thanks for the info Steve.

Thanks for the info Steve.