I have kept a black rat in the past with a permit from the DNR in Michigan. I used it in teaching science in an elementary setting. The black rat is protected in MI, so it's illegal to keep or collect one. Mine was bought from a private breeder and it pays to have a receipt to prove that. Of course each State is likely different in how they handle each species, so I'd feel your protective agency out.

Good luck in your decision.


>>It does sound like you should keep it on the DL (in other words make this your last post about it). If you want to go the permit route, check with other people who've gotten the permit to get a feel for how the officials are - for all you know maybe they look the other way in these kinds of cases, but do your research before you approach them.
>>
>>I'd offer to take the snake but PA recently prohibited importation of native herps, even common ones here like black rats
>>
>>Billy
>>
>>-
>>Phillyherping


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Ratsnake Foundation

[ Hide Replies ]

• illegal pet! - Cyn79, Thu Feb 21 15:49:18 2008
• RE: illegal pet! - choppergreg74, Thu Feb 21 18:38:16 2008
• RE: illegal pet! - transpecos, Thu Feb 21 20:25:57 2008
• I agree with a lot of that! - DMong, Thu Feb 21 22:18:23 2008
• RE: illegal pet! - billysbrown, Fri Feb 22 13:25:09 2008
• RE: illegal pet! - ratsnakehaven, Sun Feb 24 08:37:19 2008