NJ is a little screwy when it comes to this.....
Quote from NJ Legislation: It is illegal to BREED or sell regulated wildlife species under an Individual Hobby Exotic and Nongame possession permit"
The reptile possession rules and regs as explained by NJ Fish and Wildlife require that one possesses a "permit" to possess certain animals. I have recently found out, that Ball Pythons are most certainly included in this "permit required" field.
For full text of the law see this site:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/permregs.pdf
Moving on... In order to possess these specific specie of reptile, one must obtain a "hobby" permit for exotic or non-game species. This permit is good for all non-dangerous reptiles that require a permit from NJF&W. However, you must notify the division of any additions or subtractions from your collection.
Now here is the tricky part, how do you obtain a permit?? When purchasing a BP from a licensed dealer (who has a "pet shop" permit from fish and wildlife) they will issue you a 20 day temporary permit, with instruction on how to file for your $10 hobby permit. This permit usually takes about 3 weeks to get once you mail your application. Here is where it gets tricky... They will only add additional animals to your hobby permit, if you have the 20 day temporary permit issued from your NJ pet shop dealer.
This 20 day permit "booklet" issued to pet shop dealers is the only legal way to sell or receive a BP in NJ. However, after speaking to NJF&W on the phone, pets brought into NJ may be added to a pre-existing permit "upon proper application by letter to the division" END QUOTE.
As far as breeding goes, the only time "captive breeding" is mentioned in the text of the law, is in reference to a "scientific holding" permit issued by the state. This permit allows captive breeding, but not resale specifically.
So, it would appear to me after reading the text of the regulation a few times, that in order to sell or transfer in any way (in NJ) one must possess a "pet shop" permit issued by the state. (Cost $100). This permit IS issued to pet shops and individuals relating to the sale of exotic and non-game species. The scientific holding permit is only issued to 'QUALIFIED' individuals. (Cost $35) but again, no transfer or sale on this permit.
If you would like to breed and sell BP's in NJ legally, I believe (and i'm not a lawyer) that you need a "pet shop" permit. But please keep in mind, this permit requires record keeping of each animal received, transfered, imported or exported, and a report of this is due to NJF&W each year upon renawal of your permit. I've attached a copy of the state "definitions" of each type of permit below.........
Good luck sorting threw NJ's legal terminology...
(Please note that Pet Shop and Animal Dealer terminoligy may be interchanged, as although they are different types of permits, the definition and fees for application, as well as inspection and reporting requirements are identical. The only difference is the "pet shop" permit is primarily retail sale, and "animal dealer" is primarily wholesale to "Pet Shop" permit holders. (See Below))
-Ben
(a) The Division may issue, but shall not be limited to, the
following categories of permits.
1. Individual hobby-issued to persons holding exotic
mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians, or nongame species for
hobby purpose or as pets.
2. Scientific holding-issued to qualified persons holding
exotic mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians, or nongame species
for scientific observation,
captive breeding [I][U]attempts and other
scientific or educational study.
3. Zoological-issued to private and public institutions which
exhibit exotic mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians, or nongame
species, including possession, importation, exportation and sale of
species listed in the permit.
4. Pet Shop-issued to individuals and establishments
engaged in the retail sale of mammals, birds, reptiles or
amphibians, or nongame species including importation, exportation
and sale of species listed in the permit.
5. Animal Dealer-issued to individuals and establishments
engaged in the wholesale of mammals, birds, reptiles or
amphibians, or nongame species including importation, exportation
and sale of species listed in the permit.
6. Animal Exhibitor-issued to exhibitors of exotic
mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians, or nongame species other
than zoos. Traveling exhibits, small exhibitions not qualifying as
zoos, and circuses are included, including importation, exportation,
and sale of species listed in the permit.
7. Animal Theatrical Agencies-issued to the persons
owning exotic mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians, or nongame
species to be hired for advertising, acting, or theatrical
appearances, including importation, exportation, and sale of
species listed in the permit.
8. Scientific Collecting-issued to persons to collect nongame
species or escaped exotic mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians
for scientific studies or other approved purposes, when such
activity is shown to have a beneficial effect on the conservation of
the species, the public welfare or the environment.
9. Special Purpose Salvage-issued to persons or institutions
to salvage dead migratory birds or parts thereof, for scientific or
education purposes.
10. Special Wildlife Salvage-issued to persons or institutions
to salvage dead nongame species, or parts thereof, other than
migratory birds, for scientific or education purposes.
11. Endangered Species-issued to persons or institutions for
the possession of endangered species for conservation or research
purposes.
12. Depredation control-issued to persons or establishments
to control nongame species, which are creating a hazard to public
safety, crops, livestock or similar concerns.
13. Rehabilitation-issued to persons to rescue, rehabilitate
and release nongame and endangered birds.
14. Bird Breeder-issued to persons meeting the regulatory
criteria for possessing wild-caught bird species to acquire birds for
use as new breeding stock to increase genetic variety. This permit
does not authorize the resale of wild-caught birds acquired under
this permit except with the permission of the Department to
another holder of a bird breeder permit. Those engaged in the
retailing or wholesaling of birds must also have a pet shop or
animal dealer permit.
