Maybe one of you can tell me?

When I first started looking at which snake I wanted to get, I was very interested in Hognoses. however, when I asked my local shop about them, I was told they are illegal in Illinois. I assumed it is because they are rear-fanged, but I can't find anything that lists them as illegal, or the reason, only what the Illinois Dangerous Animals Act says, which lists only "any poisonous or life‑threatening reptile." (A possible court defense? The word "poisonous" when applied to snakes has been discussed in other threads, I believe.) Anyways, are they really illegal? And why?

http://chicagoherp.org/herplaws.php

This is the only thing that i could find that dumbed down the laws. I honestly don't know how old this is but it's a good read from what i read of it. hope this helps!!!

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Originally Posted by retributionreptiles

http://chicagoherp.org/herplaws.php

This is the only thing that i could find that dumbed down the laws. I honestly don't know how old this is but it's a good read from what i read of it. hope this helps!!!

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Thanks, it was definitely an interesting read with a lot of good information, but still nothing about hognoses or rear-fanged snakes :( I wish Illinois had more specific pet laws! It's way too hard to tell what they mean by "life-threatening." :rage:

They are technically venomous, regardless of how harmless they generally are. I wouldn't doubt that if a law on venomous animals is in effect, that it would include rear-fanged snakes aswell.

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Originally Posted by RedDevil

They are technically venomous, regardless of how harmless they generally are. I wouldn't doubt that if a law on venomous animals is in effect, that it would include rear-fanged snakes aswell.

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Well, I've been curious, so I've been doing a lot more research, and I guess that they're just as venomous as common Garter snakes (I guess they have more of a "toxic spit" than venom), but are much more adept at delivering it because of their enlarged rear fangs. People have reported swelling, redness, and a tingling sensation at the site when bitten, but these are also the people who have reactions to Garter snake bites. The only thing Illinois law has to say about them is "...poisonous life-threatening reptile" which isn't clear at all. Has anyone ever died of a hognose bite? Maybe I'll shoot my local State official an email or something.

Hognose snakes are not illegal to keep in Il... However you do need to obtain a permit to keep them there... It has nothing to do with their venom... It has to do with the fact that in Illinois they are an endangered species... You can easily get a permit to keep them but will most likely have to find a breeder outside of your state to ship one to you...

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Originally Posted by Gregg Madden

Hognose snakes are not illegal to keep in Il... However you do need to obtain a permit to keep them there... It has nothing to do with their venom... It has to do with the fact that in Illinois they are an endangered species... You can easily get a permit to keep them but will most likely have to find a breeder outside of your state to ship one to you...

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Thank you so much! Do you know which permit is needed, or how to go about obtaining it?

Also, it's the Western Hognose snake that is threatened in Illinois. If I had a Southern or Eastern hognose, would the permit then apply?

their venom does nothing only really does something if ur allergic to bees and still barley nothing


not to mention thats IF IT BITES YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE!:colbert:

a bit off topic on their venom:
http://www.herpnet.net/bite/

Back on topic:

I actually thought they WERE illegal in IL as they never have any at reptile shows there, but hopefully Gregg is right (sounds like he knows what he's talking about) and you can get a permit. I'd contact your local fish and wildlife service, they might be able to help you.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

a bit off topic on their venom:
http://www.herpnet.net/bite/

Back on topic:

I actually thought they WERE illegal in IL as they never have any at reptile shows there, but hopefully Gregg is right (sounds like he knows what he's talking about) and you can get a permit. I'd contact your local fish and wildlife service, they might be able to help you.

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THAT IS INSANE ive never seen anyone like that!