Well I do not know how the state of M.A. is. But here in N.Y.C. they are not on a witch hunt. If no one complains then you are ok. However I am the V.P. of a Herp society and we applied for an educational permit and they gave us one. I think if you called you local DEC or whatever you guys call it, and explain you would like to use the snake for educational purposes and could provide them with a reciept from your friend saying the snake is a captive born and breed (Hint Hint) then you should be fine. Remember When you apply for a permit, that gives Johny Law the right to come knocking on your door and examine your animals you have a permit for. That means they may also see animals you do not have a permit for. I do not know anyone this has ever happened to. But it can. Therefore I would not apply for the permit and keep it quiet and enjoy the animals you have and take care of them and love them. Because if your animals are taken away the only ones that suffer are the animals. Yes you may pay a fine but the animals will most likely die of poor care. The bringing them to schools is a whole other ball game. I am a teacher here in the city. And have been for 11 years. Even if your pet is the calmest animal in the world. It still has the ability to bite. All you need is one kid to get bit or get a stomach ache(salmonellia) or even scared and have nightmares. Then the parents sue. Even if they loose the lawsuit you still go through the agravation. Trust me it is just not worth the nonsense. Times are different today in the society we live in. Keep your animals on the down low and enjoy them. Sorry for the long post it is just my own 2 cents

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