rabernet
New member
You can own non-venomous snakes that are not indigenous to GA, and you can own venomous snakes that ARE. So, no corn snakes in GA.
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Best state for Herp Laws
- Thread starter snakeventure
- Start date
You can own non-venomous snakes that are not indigenous to GA, and you can own venomous snakes that ARE. So, no corn snakes in GA.
ZephyrG
New member
Michigan
You can own native herps in any number as long as you can prove they're CB, and you can breed them as well, or if you've taken them in relation to the Michigan collection rules, which are also very lenient. As far as my research has shown, you can own pretty much everything else. (You have to have permits for hots and crocs, but if you're going to get either of these you've probably done the necessary paperwork, training etc.)
You can own native herps in any number as long as you can prove they're CB, and you can breed them as well, or if you've taken them in relation to the Michigan collection rules, which are also very lenient. As far as my research has shown, you can own pretty much everything else. (You have to have permits for hots and crocs, but if you're going to get either of these you've probably done the necessary paperwork, training etc.)
mgoblue346
New member
I live in PA and I have to say it is the best. I have several large boas, 2 alligators, and a single hot none of which require a permit or anything whatsoever. Scranton isn't a good choice though. Not a nice area. Move someone into the suburbs on Philadelphia. Definitely some of the nicer areas of the state. Just in case you haven't moved yet.
bradleymoore
is my name.
oklahoma isn't bad... well the laws aren't anyways.
cliff_f
New member
The only state laws on reptiles I can think of consist of a few native endangered species that you can not keep and venomous and all that takes is a non commercial breeders license for native and exotic venomous. Now some city laws are a little stricter but that just depends on the city you live in.
leviV
shaggy artist
Does anyone know of any laws prohibiting constrictors such as red tail boas or green tree pythons? I've searched online and found nothing. Just yesterday a mans house was raided here in Washington state because of suspicions of venomous reptiles. When they searched his house they found a total of 40 snakes and 34 of which were venomous, he did have a reticulated python and a four foot alligator. He didn't have a license for the venomous, so I think that's why they took the non venomous as well. If anyone knows of any laws in Washington State it would be much appreciated to hear your comment, or even a suggestion where to look. I'm going to try fish and wild life.
Thanks,
Levi V.
Thanks,
Levi V.
TailsWithScales
Creator of shenanigans
Levi,
Check out Dept of Fish and Game or Fish and Wildlife.
I know that certain species are banned completely for owning like crocodiles /alligators and several species of monitor lizard. ALL venomous species native and non require a permit. This was the law at the beginning of 2008 but it may have changed.
Depending on what you own it's not just state laws you have to worry about.
Don't choose CA. Horrible laws here and some city laws are even worse then state.
Montana however doesn't have any regulations that I know of.
Check out Dept of Fish and Game or Fish and Wildlife.
I know that certain species are banned completely for owning like crocodiles /alligators and several species of monitor lizard. ALL venomous species native and non require a permit. This was the law at the beginning of 2008 but it may have changed.
Depending on what you own it's not just state laws you have to worry about.
Don't choose CA. Horrible laws here and some city laws are even worse then state.
Montana however doesn't have any regulations that I know of.
morphious
New member
i would say Pennsylvania im making the move been looking just have not found the right home yet.
mechnut450
New member
remove dealaware from the list, they just changed the regs and unless you want to pay for each snakes and not breed( every 3 years and this means renew too) you can't breed I am looingnitro a sale permit but it limits to smaller snakes for breeding no redtails or larger types ( you need a acreditted zoo permit for that and i bet it cost big bucks) if i knew i could do it i move to either PA ( boon docks) or to the carolinas right now since out side 1 corn adn a balck rat my snakes are all non native to united states . and i looknigo t rehome some later on once it warms up i think.
cbcreations
New member
Washington laws
As far as the python issue. The new laws in washington, require any snake cappable of reaching 6' or more, be permited with the county. Unfortunatly that does include ball pythons and a lot of colubrids, even though i have never seen a 6' ball, but that is the new law. They are getting very strict, and starting to crack down.
As far as the python issue. The new laws in washington, require any snake cappable of reaching 6' or more, be permited with the county. Unfortunatly that does include ball pythons and a lot of colubrids, even though i have never seen a 6' ball, but that is the new law. They are getting very strict, and starting to crack down.
cbcreations
New member
Washington Law
As far as venomous goes, they are now consider prohibited, you can no longer own or possess them. You can not get a permit to keep them, they are now off limits, unless you are considered exempt, AZA, refuge, rehabilitation center, etc.
As far as venomous goes, they are now consider prohibited, you can no longer own or possess them. You can not get a permit to keep them, they are now off limits, unless you are considered exempt, AZA, refuge, rehabilitation center, etc.
JakesHerps
New member
Our laws here in Indiana are excellent...
Venomous reptiles require a permit for each individual. When obtaining the permit a certified person will come and look at the living arrangements.
No restrictions on non-native herps. (One exception: crocodilians over 6 ft. in length require a permit.)
Native herps may be collected (there are bag limits) but not bought or sold (or traded), with the exception of color morphs. That excludes threatened or endangered herps. In which case, a permit can be obtained.
After hearing about other state's I think we have it best. The state is willing to work with us while making it very unlikely that irresponsible people will obtain dangerous animals.
And I doubt these regulations are likely to change...
Venomous reptiles require a permit for each individual. When obtaining the permit a certified person will come and look at the living arrangements.
No restrictions on non-native herps. (One exception: crocodilians over 6 ft. in length require a permit.)
Native herps may be collected (there are bag limits) but not bought or sold (or traded), with the exception of color morphs. That excludes threatened or endangered herps. In which case, a permit can be obtained.
After hearing about other state's I think we have it best. The state is willing to work with us while making it very unlikely that irresponsible people will obtain dangerous animals.
And I doubt these regulations are likely to change...
Abish
Whoever she is...
bear
Recovering Boa addict
MICHIGAN is awesome. as far as i know there are no state laws just city ordinances "no constrictors over x feet" that are not enforced at all. i could sell anything in my old store, we had gators, huge snakes, any and all reptiles, except hots and crocs, that was about it.. we did more screening ourselves on customers then animal control did on us.. they just came in every now and then and looked at our stuff. I had a police officer in my house and he noticed my snakes and went into COOL WHATS THAT mode pretty quick, no concern at all for legality. Michigan is a very cool place for reptiles, my neighbors even let there kids come over like they are going to a zoo or something..
mammals are a whole different story though, Animal control is on top of stuff with mammals.
mammals are a whole different story though, Animal control is on top of stuff with mammals.
psilocybe
Herp Nerd
I posted this in the shipping forum, on a thread specifically about New Mexico, but figured it would fit here as well...prepare to be baffled 
M's animal laws SUCK, plain and simple. In some ways, they are lenient to keepers (there are no state laws regarding owning native or exotic venomous, with a major caveat, read on), but in other ways, they are so ass backwards it's hardly believable.
Tim is right in that, by the letter of the law, EVERY animal imported into New Mexico, whether it is a native species or not, MUST have a $25 permit accompanying it (the permit has to be applied for by the purchaser prior to importation). Theoretically, this asinine law applies even to crickets purchased over the internet. Now...the question is, just how is this law enforced? Honestly, I don't know. But I'll tell you what I do know.
Technically, almost any animal purchased WITHIN the state of NM is legal (with the exception of crocodilians, lions, tigers, bears, etc., and state protected species, but all non-protected snake species and most other reptiles are completely legal, hot or not). The catch is, you must be able to provide proof (in the form of a sales receipt, breeder documentation, etc.) that the animal ORIGINATED in NM.
Here's the problem with enforcement of the law: Pet stores that sell animals (including mammals, etc.) NEVER mention this to customers. Do you think your average Joe Schmoe who walks into a Petco and buys a ball python for $50 is going to keep that receipt forever, incase NM G&F knocks on his door one day and wants to see documentation? Of course not...the receipt goes in the trash on his way out the door, or at best, after the live animal guarantee runs out.
I think it's fairly safe to say that the vast majority of non-domestic animals kept in the state of NM are being kept illegally, at least by the letter of that stupid law. I can't think of anyone here, whether they keep reptiles or chinchillas, that can provide definitive proof that their animal(s) originated in New Mexico, and that goes for all the pet store purchases that occur daily in this state.
NM F&W realize this, but they fail to do anything to amend the law (such as suggest an amendment in the next legislative session). There are reportedly some diligent herpers here (Bob Ashley) who have been working for quite some time on changing some of these laws in our favor, but the last time I checked (less than a week ago), nothing had changed.
Where NM DOES apparently enforce this (or at least makes a position about it) is with venomous reptiles. Unfortunately, even there, they enforce the law in a manner that is NOT how the law is written.
As written, the law states that ALL venomous snakes (Helodermids are not allowed in NM) IMPORTED into the state of New Mexico must be vet-certified venomoids. The fact that my state even promotes such a practice is embarrassing to me, my personal stance is that I'd rather NOT own venomous than own venomoids. But I digress. The ridiculousness of this law is readily apparent, in several ways. For one, I can order a pair of venomoid black mambas off the internet, legally import them (with a permit of course), and then go right around and breed fully intact, venomous baby black mambas, which would be perfectly legal as they are because they ORIGINATED in the state of NM. Make sense to you?
In addition...I can go and drive 15 minutes from my apartment and capture and legally keep an atrox, viridis, or other native rattlesnake species, and legally keep them INTACT, fully venomous, but if I want an atrox, viridis, or molossus from TEXAS, it has to be a vet-certified venomoid. The ridiculousness of this law is astounding, because it doesn't make any sense, PERIOD.
However, the way the law is enforced unfairly targets venomous keepers, because it goes beyond the scope of the way the law is written. I have it on good word (though I have not experienced this personally), that Game and Fish considers ANY non-native venomous reptile to be illegal, regardless of origin (meaning even if it were bred in the state). Proving origin to them is virtually impossible, because unless G & F are actually sitting there watching black mamba babies hatch from the egg (I suppose one could videotape it, but then they'd just argue it could have been taped anywhere), one can't conclusively PROVE where an animal was born. It's essentially a breeders word against the state. They have effectively banned exotic venomous in this state WITHOUT a law to back it up. Idiocy, I tell you.
M's animal laws SUCK, plain and simple. In some ways, they are lenient to keepers (there are no state laws regarding owning native or exotic venomous, with a major caveat, read on), but in other ways, they are so ass backwards it's hardly believable.
Tim is right in that, by the letter of the law, EVERY animal imported into New Mexico, whether it is a native species or not, MUST have a $25 permit accompanying it (the permit has to be applied for by the purchaser prior to importation). Theoretically, this asinine law applies even to crickets purchased over the internet. Now...the question is, just how is this law enforced? Honestly, I don't know. But I'll tell you what I do know.
Technically, almost any animal purchased WITHIN the state of NM is legal (with the exception of crocodilians, lions, tigers, bears, etc., and state protected species, but all non-protected snake species and most other reptiles are completely legal, hot or not). The catch is, you must be able to provide proof (in the form of a sales receipt, breeder documentation, etc.) that the animal ORIGINATED in NM.
Here's the problem with enforcement of the law: Pet stores that sell animals (including mammals, etc.) NEVER mention this to customers. Do you think your average Joe Schmoe who walks into a Petco and buys a ball python for $50 is going to keep that receipt forever, incase NM G&F knocks on his door one day and wants to see documentation? Of course not...the receipt goes in the trash on his way out the door, or at best, after the live animal guarantee runs out.
I think it's fairly safe to say that the vast majority of non-domestic animals kept in the state of NM are being kept illegally, at least by the letter of that stupid law. I can't think of anyone here, whether they keep reptiles or chinchillas, that can provide definitive proof that their animal(s) originated in New Mexico, and that goes for all the pet store purchases that occur daily in this state.
NM F&W realize this, but they fail to do anything to amend the law (such as suggest an amendment in the next legislative session). There are reportedly some diligent herpers here (Bob Ashley) who have been working for quite some time on changing some of these laws in our favor, but the last time I checked (less than a week ago), nothing had changed.
Where NM DOES apparently enforce this (or at least makes a position about it) is with venomous reptiles. Unfortunately, even there, they enforce the law in a manner that is NOT how the law is written.
As written, the law states that ALL venomous snakes (Helodermids are not allowed in NM) IMPORTED into the state of New Mexico must be vet-certified venomoids. The fact that my state even promotes such a practice is embarrassing to me, my personal stance is that I'd rather NOT own venomous than own venomoids. But I digress. The ridiculousness of this law is readily apparent, in several ways. For one, I can order a pair of venomoid black mambas off the internet, legally import them (with a permit of course), and then go right around and breed fully intact, venomous baby black mambas, which would be perfectly legal as they are because they ORIGINATED in the state of NM. Make sense to you?
In addition...I can go and drive 15 minutes from my apartment and capture and legally keep an atrox, viridis, or other native rattlesnake species, and legally keep them INTACT, fully venomous, but if I want an atrox, viridis, or molossus from TEXAS, it has to be a vet-certified venomoid. The ridiculousness of this law is astounding, because it doesn't make any sense, PERIOD.
However, the way the law is enforced unfairly targets venomous keepers, because it goes beyond the scope of the way the law is written. I have it on good word (though I have not experienced this personally), that Game and Fish considers ANY non-native venomous reptile to be illegal, regardless of origin (meaning even if it were bred in the state). Proving origin to them is virtually impossible, because unless G & F are actually sitting there watching black mamba babies hatch from the egg (I suppose one could videotape it, but then they'd just argue it could have been taped anywhere), one can't conclusively PROVE where an animal was born. It's essentially a breeders word against the state. They have effectively banned exotic venomous in this state WITHOUT a law to back it up. Idiocy, I tell you.
Jager the Uro
New member
Pa is the best. i live in nj and cant even buy a freaking turtle.you can at least do that in nY. i drive 45min and i can buy a poisonous snake.
Heart and Soul Reptiles
Heart and Soul RR&R
We are in PA as well and I would have to say it's the best as well. You don't need a permit for anything.. for now, let's not jynx ourselves!
HyderHouseHerps
New member
MS isn't bad either but if you move this far you might as well move on into florida!
kevin c.
New member
Kentucky is not good also. you can't have gators,crocs,primates etc.(unless you purchased them before 7-1-2005. the reason given was for "protection of the public and the owner from dangerous wildlife, to protect the publics safety" now, it has been proven as a scientific FACT that, driving while talking on your'e cell phone is as dangerous as drunk driving, why is it not outlawed as protecting the publics safety since doing this endangers the lives of all citizens who drive! simply put,everyone does it including law enforcement! how hypocritical! so i would go to W.V. PA or S.C.
snowgyre
Well-known member
Georgia is okay, you just can't own any native herps (including the ubiquitous corn snake). You also aren't allowed to own venomous reptiles without a permit, but not many people know about this law because it's not in the pet ownership law, but rather in an injurious and harmful animals clause.
Considering Georgia has the greatest diversity of salamanders in the entire world, and has many endemic and rare herp species, I can understand why they're so protective.
USARK just helped fight a law to ban big snakes as well, so it's still legal to own the big constrictors here. Not sure how long that's going to last though, but Georgia is considerably less liberal (and more suspicious of government in general) than Florida.
Considering Georgia has the greatest diversity of salamanders in the entire world, and has many endemic and rare herp species, I can understand why they're so protective.
USARK just helped fight a law to ban big snakes as well, so it's still legal to own the big constrictors here. Not sure how long that's going to last though, but Georgia is considerably less liberal (and more suspicious of government in general) than Florida.