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Venomous Reptile Regulations |
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Florida |
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| Native Venomous: Permit required (1000 hours verified experience required) | |||
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Exotic Venomous: Permit required (1000 hours verified experience required) |
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Protected Native Venomous: None |
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| No person, firm, or corporation shall keep, possess, or exhibit any poisonous or venomous reptile without first having obtained a special permit or license therefore from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as herein provided. | |||
| Venomous reptiles require a permit for personal possession. Cost of the permit is $100 per year. Owners of venomous reptiles must be at least 18 years of age, must not have been convicted of violating venomous reptile regulations for 3 years prior to their permit application and demonstrate no less than 1 year of experience (no less than 1000 hours) in the husbandry of the species they plan to own or similar species within the same biological family. Documented experience in zoology or other relevant biological sciences at the college or technical school level or above may substitute for 6 months (or 500 hours) of the required experience. Exhibitors of venomous reptiles must also post a $10,000 bond, effective July 1, 2007. | |||
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Possession, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles: Prohibited Species |
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| (1) Any person who keeps, possesses or exhibits poisonous or venomous reptiles shall comply with ss. 372.86, 372.87, 372.88, 372.89, 372.90 and 372.91, F.S. | |||
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(2) Venomous reptiles shall be kept enclosed in cages, cases, pits or enclosures of the following specifications: |
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| (a) Cage may be constructed of a variety of materials including: plate glass of at least one-quarter inch thickness, break-resistant plastic of similar strength, concrete reinforced with wire, sheet metal, molded fiberglass, plywood or interlocking lumber that has been treated to be impervious to moisture and is not less than one-half inch in thickness, or other materials which provide equivalent stability and security against escape and unauthorized intrusion. Cages and doors to cages shall be sealed. The doors of each cage shall be securely locked to prevent unauthorized intrusion. | |||
| (b) A room may contain poisonous reptiles in cages that are not locked provided that such a room is locked to prevent unauthorized intrusion, is inaccessible to unauthorized personnel, is constructed and maintained as to be escape-proof, and, for commercial facilities, has been inspected and approved as conforming to these rules by Commission personnel prior to use. | |||
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(c) Outdoor open-topped enclosures: |
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1. For venomous reptiles native to the United States, the floors of outdoor cages shall be of concrete or masonry construction at least two inches in thickness. Sides shall be of similar construction, at least eight inches in thickness, or strength equivalent, with a minimum height of four feet above the floor of the enclosure. Outdoor enclosures need not have concrete or masonry flooring if the enclosure meets the following additional specifications: |
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a. The enclosure shall have concrete or masonry walls, at least eight inches in thickness, or strength equivalent. |
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b. The enclosure shall have footers made of concrete, or strength equivalent, extending not less than three feet below the grade level, outside the perimeter. |
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c. The corners of enclosure shall be designed or guarded to prevent the escape of reptiles by climbing. |
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d. All landscaping of the enclosure shall be arranged to insure that vegetation or other structures do not allow for the escape of reptiles. |
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| 2. Entrance doors shall be kept securely locked on all outdoor enclosures to prevent escape and unauthorized intrusion and the enclosure shall be equipped with barriers to prevent visitors from falling into enclosures that are constructed below ground level. | |||
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3. For venomous reptile species not native to the United States, all outdoor enclosures shall be topped with close-meshed wire or an equivalent barrier to provide additional security. |
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(3) All species of snakes commonly known as sea snakes or sea kraits, belonging to the families Elapidae, Hydrophiidae or Laticaududae are prohibited from being imported or possessed, except under the provisions of 370.081(4), F.S. |
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Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented 370.081, 372.86, 372.87, 372.88, 372.89, 372.90, 372.91, 372.92 FS. HistoryBNew 8-1-79, Amended 6-21-82, Formerly 39-25.06, Amended 5-10-87, 4-1-96, 9-15-96, Formerly 39-25.006, Amended 11-17-99. |
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| Captive Wildlife, Venomous Reptiles, and Reptiles of Concern - Disaster and Critical Incident Plan – | |||
| Applicants for permits to possess wildlife in captivity, venomous reptiles or Reptiles of Concern must provide a Disaster and Critical Incident Plan on forms provided by FWC. The plan will include a course of action to be taken in preparation for natural disasters or critical incidents. (Refer to rules 68A-6.0022 and 68A-6.007 F.A.C.) | |||
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| Venomous Reptiles - Cage Enclosure ID System; Bite or Exposure Protocol - | |||
| All persons in possession of venomous reptiles shall clearly mark each cage or enclosure with a card or sign stating "Danger Venomous Reptile". The card or sign shall also include the identification of the specie(s) in the cage or enclosure by both common and scientific name. The card or sign shall be clearly visible at all times and shall accompany the venomous reptile when removed from the cage for cleaning or transport. Facilities or premises where venomous reptiles are housed and maintained shall have a Bite or Exposure Protocol clearly posted on the premises in proximity to where the venomous reptiles are housed or maintained. This protocol shall include the common and scientific names of the specimen(s) housed and maintained within the facility, antivenin procedures required for treatment of each species and the location of the antivenin, emergency contact information, and a plan of action in case of a venomous reptile bite or venom exposure. (Refer to rule 68A-6.007 F.A.C.) | |||
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| Nonnative Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern –Identification and Tagging Requirements; Escape - | |||
| 4 Live Nonnative Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern possessed for personal use must be permanently identified. Each specimen of Nonnative Venomous Reptiles shall be permanently identified by photograph or by implantation of a passive integrated transponder (PIT tag also referred to as a microchip). Each specimen of Reptiles of Concern shall be permanently identified by implantation of a PIT tag. PIT tag placement and records: Snakes shall be implanted in the last 1/3 of the body forward of the anal plate. PIT tagging is required when the snake is 2 inches or greater in diameter. Nonnative venomous lizards and Nile monitor lizards of any size shall be implanted in the body cavity forward of the hind leg, or in the hind leg. Documentation of the PIT tag number and specimen information must be maintained in the owner’s records. Owners of any Nonnative Venomous Reptiles or Reptiles of Concern acquired prior to January 1, 2008 shall have until July 1, 2008 to meet the PIT tagging requirement. Any specimens acquired after January 1, 2008, must be permanently identified on acquisition. Persons licensed or permitted to possess Nonnative Venomous Reptiles or Reptiles of Concern are required to report any escape of Nonnative or Venomous Reptiles or Reptiles of Concern to the Commission immediately upon discovery. (Refer to rule 68A-6.0072 F.A.C.) | |||
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| Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements – Venomous Reptiles (all) or Reptiles of Concern – | |||
| Effective January 1,
2008, any person licensed to possess live venomous reptile or Reptile of
Concern must keep and maintain accurate records of all changes in
inventory on forms provided by FWC. Changes in inventory include births,
deaths, acquisition, sales and transfers. Records must be open to
inspection on request by commission personnel.
Persons who exhibit or sell live venomous reptiles or Reptiles of Concern must submit the inventory records twice a year, once upon renewal of their license and again six months later. Persons who possess live venomous reptiles or Reptiles of Concern for personal use must submit the inventory records upon renewal of their license and on any instance of inventory change. (Refer to rule 68A-6.0071) |
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For More
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