Only 2 weeks left for Georgians to register their reptiles

Black & White Tegu photo by user RamblinRose Herp hobbyists in Georgia are running out of time to register their non-native reptiles with the Georgia Wildlife Resources Commission. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources board voted in 2022 that Burmese pythons can't be bred in the state. The DNR says the rules are set in place so invasive species don't get released in Georgia. They can survive in the wild and impact the state's native wildlife. Also included in the new law are some tegus, monitor lizards, and turtles. By Dec. 4, the following reptiles and amphibians must be registered by their owners:

• Nile monitors
• African helmeted turtles
• Chinese softshell turtles
• Argentine black and white tegus
• Indian rock and Burmese pythons

For more information see Georgia Wildlife Resources Commission - Rules Pertaining to Wild Animals