Reptile & Amphibian News Blog
Keep up with news and features of interest to the reptile and amphibian community on the kingsnake.com blog. We cover breaking stories from the mainstream and scientific media, user-submitted photos and videos, and feature articles and photos by Jeff Barringer, Richard Bartlett, and other herpetologists and herpetoculturists.
Tuesday, April 11 2023
An FWC officer smiles as he surveys the scene after the killing of 34 pythons and a pregnant pet boa by FWC officers (Photo by Chris Coffee, who has granted permission for this photo to be published and disseminated)
In 2021, Florida changed their ownership laws but promised that pet owners were able to keep their animals for the lifetime of the animals. Breeders stopped breeding and started moving animals out of fear of repercussions. Animals that were legally owned under a "Conditional Species Permit" were now considered illegal, however according to FWC, they were grandfathered in for the rest of their lives and could live out their lives in their current homes.
"I want to make sure the public's aware that if you currently own one of these reptiles, you're allowed to keep it until it's death. So no one is telling you you have to get rid of your pet or euthanize it and no one from the state is going to take it from you." Rodney Barreto , Chairman - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Public commission meeting February 25, 2021
"Their pets are their pets and they are going to continue to be their pets and we made sure that it was very clear." - Mike Sole, Former Vice Chairman - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Public commission meeting February 25, 2021
Continue reading "Holy Thursday Massacre: The Killing Fields of Florida"
Thursday, October 6 2022
A new ordinance is looking at being passed in Sioux City, IA that limits all animals in a household to three. Typically in the past these types of laws applied solely to dogs and cats, but the city restructured the definition of domestic animals and it applies to almost everything. From the USARK Action Alert:
Sioux City is taking steps to severely limit the number of animals that can be owned by its residents by redefining the term domestic animal (which currently only includes dogs and cats). As redefined, it would include most animals and limit the number per household to no more than three pets in total. This ban narrowly passed its first reading (3-2) so not all Council members approve of this legislative abuse. Local residents must voice their opposition immediately as the next reading and vote are scheduled for Monday, October 10.
...
The only pets excluded from this new ban would be hamsters, guinea pigs, and fish. It would be legal to have 300 hamsters but illegal to have three crested geckos or three lovebirds. Regardless of the species, the numbers assigned to these “pet limits” are completely arbitrary and capricious with no logical or scientific grounds to argue the merit. One person may responsibly and humanely care for seven dogs while another person may not be able to responsibly have one dog. The problem is isolated to the bad owners and not how many pets people have. Punishing responsible animal owners by claiming it will stop irresponsible actions by others is bad government at its finest through collective punishment.
For more information, please visit the USARK action alert page here.
Saturday, July 30 2022
In yet another victory on behalf of the reptile community by USARK, the changes to the Lacey Act hidden deep in the America COMPETES act in the "CHIPS-Plus" bill have been removed!
For months USARK lobbied and members of the reptile community contacted their representatives and it worked! For now, there will be no changes to the Lacey Act.
From USARK:
We have been posting relevant updates on our main alert here (scroll down). To be brief, the “CHIPS-Plus” bill that passed in the Senate passed the House on 7/28 (243-187 vote). This bill includes some of the technology initiatives included in the America COMPETES Act, USICA, and other bills. The portions of COMPETES that were not germane to the intent of the bill (including the bad Lacey Act amendments) were not added to the CHIPS-Plus package. This should be the end of any threat from these Lacey Act amendments for this Congressional session.
For those who spent the past few months messaging, calling and writing letters, YOU DID IT! And a HUGE thank you to USARK!
Monday, July 11 2022

New changes to state law could impact some keepers in Alabama. The state however has opened a comment period until August 4th where you can lodge objections. Some of the more important changes to be aware of:
-Makes all king snakes (Lampropeltis spp.) and hybrids illegal to own, breed, and sell without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner. Currently, only Eastern, prairie, and black “speckled” king snakes are listed.
-Makes it illegal to own more than one box turtle (all Terrapene spp.) or sell/trade a box turtle without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner.
-There are other new rules including, but not limited to, additional protected nongame species and Eastern diamondback rattlesnake regulations.
As always, the folks at USARK have made it simple to respond. They have all the contact information and a template here. You can read the full proposal here.
Friday, July 8 2022

Although it does include a grandfather clause for current owners, the new law passed this week in Raleigh, NC is quite restrictive.
Spurred on by a viral loose spitting cobra last year, the city council passed a new law banning
Under the ordinance, keeping a pet from a species considered a “dangerous wild animal” will be prohibited within city limits.
A “dangerous wild animal” is considered by the city to be “any non-domesticated animal, which is normally found in the wild state, is inherently dangerous to person or property, and which generally does not live in or about the habitation of humans.”
The city’s definition includes “medically significant snakes.” The city defines those as any snake whose venom can cause death, serious illness, or injury. It also includes snakes whose venom would require emergency room care or immediate care of a physician.
The law does include a grandfather clause for current owners of animals this may apply to. You must register your animals before July 1, 2023. However be ready, the law goes into effect in two months!
These are the extensive requirements for the grandfather clause:
- Detailed inventory of animals with descriptions and photo(s) of animals
- Requirement to notify the City when the animal is moved to another location
- Plan for transfer of ownership or destruction if owner can no longer care for the animal
- Maintain health records of the animal
- Proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale
- Certifies that owner will only keep up to 10 medically significant venomous snakes
- Must possess liability insurance
- Will immediately report the escape of any dangerous wild animals in their possession
A criminal background check would also be required to ensure owners don’t have any previous felony charges or convocations of animal abuse.
To read more, visit CBS17
Inset image courtesy of Bob B. Chicago Herpetological Society Rescue Program.
There are several issues that USARK-FL is currently dealing with in Florida that they need the help of Florida Residents.
First up is a rule requiring owners to report all injuries from their animals to the authorities. This opens your medical files to the government and could also be used as violations against you. You can read more about that here This rule is coming up for a vote at the FWC meetings next week. You can learn more about attendance here.
There is also the ongoing issue of the white list and banned animals in Florida. From their most recent alert, which can be read here:
From Kristen Penney Sommers of FWC to USARK FL President Elizabeth Wisneski on June 9, 2022:
"Per our discussion yesterday, the attached list is a repository of species that we have either had risk work completed on, or species that have been suggested to have risk work conducted on. In no way is this the “white list” that your members are claiming. One of the duties of the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife program is to evaluate the risk of species that may be introduced into the state. This spreadsheet is in part documentation of our efforts to address responsibilities to all of the citizens in Florida."
While use of the term "White List" was discouraged by Sommers and other FWC staff at the last "Technical Assistance Group" (TAG) meeting, FWC did introduce the terms "Unrestricted List," "Restricted List," and "Not Allowed List."
If you are a Florida herper, you really need to follow and join USARK-FL to keep abreast of the ever changing legal environment!
Friday, March 25 2022
Monday, February 7 2022
The America COMPETES Act has passed the house on a very slim vote. It is imperative that each and everyone one of us reaches out to our senators to oppose the passing of this act. This will impact more than just reptile owners. IF your pet could survive in the everglades, your pet could be next. This measure does not ban ownership, however it bans transport across state lines. While this may be primarily aimed at the trade and sale, it will also effectively end the ability to keep your pets if you move out of state or even if your vet is in another state, you could not take your pet to receive veterinary care it needs. USARK has sample letters, directions on how to get your letter into your senator's hands.
We added a portion of the original action alert after the bump with the info you need or you can visit USARK's info page here.
Continue reading "ACTION ALERT: NATIONAL: American COMPETES act to add species to Lacey Act"
Tuesday, February 1 2022
USARK recently caught a few amendments being hidden in the 2000 page plus America COMPETES Act of 2022.
This brief run down of what could be impacted can be found on USARK's page.
1. Provide that the Lacey Act bans the interstate transport of species listed as injurious. Specifically, it replaces Lacey’s current language ‘‘shipment between the continental United States’’ with ‘‘transport between the States.”
2. Create a “white list” of species that can be imported. This means that any animal (reptile, amphibian, fish, bird, mammal, invertebrate) that is not on the white list is by default treated as an injurious species and is banned from importation.
3. Create a new authority allowing FWS to use an “emergency designation” that becomes effective immediately after being published in the Federal Register unless an extension of no more than 60 days is allowed. That means no due process, public input, hearings, advanced notice, etc. for injurious listings.
4. Permit FWS to not allow importation if a species has not been imported in “minimal quantities” (to be defined) in the year prior to the enactment of this Act.
The effective date would be one year after the enactment of this Act.
This can and will impact more than just reptiles, so reach out to your friends and family that own things other than your normal dog and cat. If a species can survive in Florida, it may be targeted. Once a species is listed as injurious crossing state lines with the animal becomes illegal, even if it is for you to move OR going to a veterinarian! You will still be able to own it. However this also can impact our trade as well. This is is far more restrictive than the originally proposed "Big 5" that USARK was able to overturn with a lawsuit.
What can you do? USARK has given us everything we need! From their action alert:
Through Feb. 2, contact the House Rules Committee and your federal Representatives. Remember to be civil and professional at all times. Please personalize/edit your letters, if possible. If the bill passes the House with the amendments, then attention must turn to the Senate.
1. Call your Representatives’ offices (link below) and the Rules Committee at (202)-225-9091;
2. Email Representatives (link below);
3. Fax letters to (202)-226-9191 and your Representatives;
4. SHARE this and encourage others to complete the Alert!!!
The page also includes ways to find out who your representatives are as well as a form letter that you can copy and paste. You can find the action alert here.
Tuesday, March 2 2021
Two Texas bills are currently working their way through the legislature that will update the names in their existing law. This change is including the Burmese Pythons, which were previously considered a subspecies of Python molurus on their listing to full species status. Be aware, this is already a law and it is just an update to the nomenclature.
Below is the list of species included in the regulation that requires a TP&W permit. There are two permits available: one for possession and one for commercial business This is already law! The bill just adds the Burmese python and hybrids to the list. Bold text is the new language:
(a) The commission by rule shall establish permits that allow permit holders to possess or transport in this state a live nonindigenous snake, including a hybrid of any kind, that is:
(1) venomous; or
(2) constrictor that is one of the following:
(A) African rock python, Python sebae;
(B) Asiatic rock python, Python molurus;
(C) Burmese python, Python bivittatus;
(D) green anaconda, Eunectes murinus;
(E) reticulated python, Python reticulatus; or
(F) southern African python, Python natalensis.
The bill also adds this text:
(c) If it is shown at the trial of the defendant for a violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter that the defendant has engaged in a commercial activity without holding a required permit and the defendant has been previously convicted of a violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter, on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
For more information, visit the USARK page on this here.
Monday, March 1 2021
Recently New York State has proposed wide sweeping legislation preventing shipping of animals by "any mail carrier", which would also include frequently used outlets such as FexEx and UPS, which both allow the shipment of live animals with rules and restrictions. This includes shipping both to and from the state and aims ban the shipping of all mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
USARK has already set up a page including contact information for all legislative representatives involved and even a sample letter for you to personalize. You can read the full bill and access all needed information on USARK's page for New York here.
Be sure at all times to remain calm and polite when reaching out to representatives on this matter.
Saturday, February 27 2021
The Florida Fish and Wildlife commission has moved ahead with their proposed rule change regarding a variety of species from Iguanas to Anaconda. This includes a ban on ownership of several species. If you already own these animals, there are a variety of changes in your ownership, but you still make keep the animals. The species impacted are:
Green iguana (Iguana iguana)
All Tegus (genera Salvator and Tupinambis, all species)
Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)
Indian and Burmese python (Python molurus and Python bivittatus)
Northern African python (Python sebae)
Southern African python (Python natalensis)
Amethystine python (Morelia amethistinus)
Scrub python (Morelia kinghorni)
Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)
USARKFL has a breakdown of restrictions, including ownership, breeding and sales info here.
Be sure you are following USARK to help fight future legislation.
Sunday, February 21 2021
We have an urgent action alert from USARK regarding the return of the "animal program ban" that has returned in Illinois. As it is written, it could end even the most common of after school educational programs. From USARK:
This bill bans much more than lions jumping through rings of fire. It is a ban on taking a Greek tortoise into a classroom for an educational program about reptiles. It is a ban on taking a ball python, a red-eyed tree frog, a parakeet, and a hedgehog into a library for an educational show discussing the differences between reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. It is a ban on llamas and any other non-traditional livestock at the State Fair or county 4-H fairs. Basically, if an animal non-native to Illinois is placed into a vehicle and taken to any location where someone will see it, other than a veterinarian in a private room, then it would become an illegal activity, and you a criminal. You could receive a year in jail and a $2,500 fine for taking a leopard gecko into your child’s classroom for a presentation.
The Chicago Herpetological Society hosts the largest and oldest hands-on reptile exhibit in the country. It reaches tens of thousands of people annually and this bill could destroy it. It could end programs coming to your child's school, day care or scouting program. The impact to the reptile community in Illinois would be devastating.
USARK has detailed instructions for reaching out to representatives and what we as a community can do here.
Friday, December 4 2020
 On December 1, 2020 House Bill 6455 (HB6455) was introduced in Michigan that could impact many reptiles keepers. The reptile portion of the bill does primarily impact ownership of venomous, crocodilians and some monitor species. While it is not an outright ban and offers provisions for owners to keep their pets, it can have very far reaching implications.
The reptiles impacted by the Bill are:
“Dangerous reptiles” per HB6455:
(I) A member of the order Crocodilia, including, but not limited to, an alligator, crocodile, gharial, or caiman.
(ii) A member of the family Atractaspidae.
(iii) A member of the species Dispholidus typus of the family Colubridae.
(iv) A member of the family Elapidae, including, but not limited to, a cobra, mamba, krait, coral snake, or Australian tiger snake.
(v) A member of the family Hydrophiidae, including, but not limited to, a sea snake.
(vi) A water monitor or crocodile monitor.
(vii) A member of the family Viperidae, including, but not limited to, a rattlesnake, cottonmouth, bushmaster, puff adder, or gaboon viper.
Our friends at USARK have made it easy to speak out to your representatives. Please visit the USARK page here for the full action alert.
Friday, September 4 2020
There was some great news regarding the regulation changes for Florida; including Tegus, Iguanas and a selection of large constrictors.
This is the announcement from USARKFL:
We have some news... good news. The judge agreed with USARK FL and found that SB1414 is in fact unconstitutional! We will post full details soon but the judge granted our motion for summary judgment and now we just await his formal order stating the same. Thank you to everyone who supported us. Please keep the donations coming! We must still pay for this lawsuit and future actions. What a win!
NOTE: This will take a few days to all be finalized and for FWC to rescind their Executive Order. We also do not know if FWC will appeal. Also, by "unconstitutional" we mean the Florida Constitution, not the U.S. Constitution. This is a state lawsuit against a state agency, not a federal lawsuit.
Please stay tuned to both USARK and USARKFL to follow updates and please continue to support USARK. They are getting things done!
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