RI approved rules effective April 2010

www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/agric/xotkanml.pdf


RULE 7 EXEMPTIONS

1. List of Fish. All aquarium trade fish may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except endangered species. The Division of Fish and Wildlife may have additional regulations if the species of fish is considered to be native or nuisance. Possession of the following species requires an exotic animal possession permit:



1. Grass Carp or White Amur (Ctenopharyngdon idella)



2. Piranha (Pygocentrus spp.and Serrasalmus spp.)



3. Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)



4. Walking Catfish (Clarias spp and all members of the family Clariidae)



5. Snakeheads (Channidae and Parachannidae)



2. List of Amphibians.

The RI DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife considers all exotic amphibians to be a potential nuisance, vector for disease, and a threat to native fauna. Therefore, possession of all exotic amphibians that are kept, housed, or maintained outdoors requires an exotic animal possession permit. All retail amphibian vendors must provide written notification to purchasers of this requirement and keep a log of all sales that include the following: 1) Name of purchaser, 2) Address of purchaser, 3) Date of purchase, 4) Purchaser’s signature, and 5) Species purchased. Permits will be granted on a case-by-case basis only to those

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applicants who will ensure that the animal(s) will be kept in a manner such that it has no possible means of escape into the wild. Refer to the RI DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife for additional regulations of native amphibian species.

3. List of Reptiles.

(a) Turtles: all exotic species of turtles may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit, except endangered species. Refer to The RI DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife for additional regulations of native turtle species. Possession of the following species requires an exotic animal possession permit:

1. Argentina or Chaco Tortoise (Geochelone chilensis). 2. Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and all other species in the genus Gopherus. 3. Pancake Tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri).

NOTE: the RI DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Regulations prohibit Possession of Red Eared Slider turtles

(b) Snakes: All venomous snakes require an exotic animal possession permit. Refer to The RI DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife for additional regulations of native snake species. The following snakes may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except endangered species and the specific exceptions listed below:

1. All species of boas and pythons (family Boidae), may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except those species that are endangered, and except the Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus), Green Tree Python (Chondropython spp.), African Rock Python (Python sebae), Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) and all species of Anaconda (Eunectes spp.). 2. Shield-tailed Snakes, Sunbeam Snakes, and others in the families Uropeltidae and

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Xenopeltidae may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit. 3. Worm Snakes, Thread Snakes, and others in the families Typhlopidae, Leptotyphlopidae, and Anomalepidae may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit. 4. Snakes of the family Colubridae, as follows may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit: Asian Rat Snakes (Elaphe spp. and Ptyas spp. and Zaocys spp.) Bogetophis spp. Brown and Redbelly Snakes (Storeria spp.) Diadem Snakes (Spalerosophis spp.) Garter and Ribbon Snakes (Thamnophis spp.) Glossy Snakes (Arizona spp.) Gopher and Pine Snakes (Pituophis spp.) Green Snakes (Opheodrys spp.) Ground Snakes (Sonora spp.) House Snakes (Boaedon [Lamprophis] spp.) Kingsnakes and Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis spp.) North American Rat Snakes (Elaphe spp.) except the Black Rat Snake (E.o. obsoleta (other than albinistic and leucistic individuals) which requires a permit. Pseudaspis spp. Pseustes spp. Texas Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais erebennus) Tropical Rat Snakes (Spilotes spp.) Water Snakes (Nerodia [Natrix] spp.) Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)

(c) Lizards: Possession of all chameleons (Chameontidae), the Gila Monster and Beaded Lizard (Heloderatidae), and all Monitors (Varanidae) requires an exotic animal possession permit. The following lizards may be kept without a permit except for endangered species. The Division of Fish and Wildlife may have additional

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regulations if the species of lizard is considered native or nuisance.

1. All Skinks (Scincidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except for the following: Florida Sand Skinks (Neoseps spp.) Solomon Island Ground Skink (Tribolonotus spp.) 2. The following Girdle-tailed Lizards (Cordylidae) may be kept without a permit: False Club-tailed Lizards (Pseudocordylus spp.) Girdle-tailed Lizards (Cordylus spp.) Plated Lizards (Gerrhosaurus spp.) Rock Lizards (Platysaurus spp.) Zonosaurus spp. 3. All Teiids (Teiidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except for the following: Brown Water Teiids (Neusticurus spp.) Dicrodon spp. Earless Teiids (Bachia spp.) Rough Teiids (Echinosaura spp.) Snake Teiids (Ophiognomon spp.) Spectacled Teiids (Gymnophthalmus spp.) Worm Teiids (Scolacosaurus spp.) 4. The following Lacertid Lizards (Lacertidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit: Acanthodactylus spp. Gallotia spp. Lacerta spp. Podarcis spp. Psammodromus spp. 5. The following Lateral-fold Lizards (Anguidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit permit: Alligator Lizards (Gerrhonotus spp.) Glass Lizards (Ophisaurus spp.) Slowworm (Anguis spp.) 6. All Gekkos (Gekkonidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except the Big Bend Gekko (Coleonyx reticulatus).

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7. The following Iguanid Lizards (Iguanidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit: Basilisks (Basiliscus spp.) Collared and Leopard Lizards (Crotaphytus spp.) Common or Green Iguanas (Iguana i. iguana) False or Spring-tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaurus spp.) Liolaemus spp. New World Chameleons (Anolis spp. and Ctenotus spp.) Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus spp.) Tree and Bush Lizards (Urosaurus spp.) Uranoscodon spp. Zebra-tailed Lizards (Callisaurus spp.) 8. The following Agamid Lizards (Agamidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit: Amphibolorus spp. Calotes spp. Hydrosaurus spp. Pogona spp. Water Dragon (Physignathus spp.) 9. Night Lizards (Xantusidae): All Night Lizards (Xantusia spp.) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit, except for the Utah Night Lizard (Xantusia virgilis utahensis).

4. List of Birds.

(a) Possession of the following groups of birds is prohibited without a permit issued by the USFWS and if the bird is considered native, a permit issued by RIDEM Division of Fish & Wildlife:

1. Endangered species of birds. 2. Migratory birds listed in the Code of Federal Regulations, 50 CFR 10.13. (Migratory Bird Treaty Act).

NOTE: RI DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife Regulations prohibits the possession of mute swans or their eggs.

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(b) The following birds or groups of birds may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit:

1. Blue or Button Quail (Coturnix chinensis) 2. Columbidae (pigeons and doves) 3. Estrildidae (Waxbills and allies) 4. Fringillidae (Finches and allies) 5. Ploceidae (Weaver Finches except the Red-billed, Black-fronted, and Sudan Diochs, which require a permit) 6. Psittacidae (parrots and their allies) except for Myiopsitta monachus Monk Parakeet, which requires a permit 7. Ramphastidae (Toucans, Aracaris, and Toucanets) 8. Sturnidae (Starlings and Mynahs, except the Rose-colored Starling (Pink Starling or Rosy Pastor) (Sturnus roseus), which requires a permit)

5. List of Mammals.

The following mammals may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit:



1. Four-toed (African pygmy) hedgehog (Erinaceus albiventris) (=Atelerix pruneri)



2. Chinchilla (Chinchilla spp.) derived from captive stock



3. Deer Mouse and White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus and P. leucopus)



4. Degu (Octodon degus)



5. Egyptian Spiny Mouse (Acomys cahirinus)



6. House Mouse (Mus musculus)



7. Jerboas (Dipus spp.)



8. Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)



9. Paca (Cuniculus spp.)



10. Striped hamster (Cricetulus barabensis), also known as the Chinese or Siberian dwarf hamster.



11. Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps)



12. Ferret (Mustela putorius)



NOTE: Possession of a ferret does not require obtaining an exotic animal possession permit. Possession of a ferret does require a ferret possession permit issued through the Division of Fish & Wildlife.

Not being from RI, how does this differ from existing laws?

Thanks!
Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

Not being from RI, how does this differ from existing laws?

Thanks!
Jim Smith

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I'm not from RI but I'm next door in MA. They used to be able to have Crocodilians, monitors, chamelons, rock pythons, ETBs, and GTPs. They pretty much copied MA's law(almost word for word too) except for a few differences, for example they can still keep sugar gliders, we still can't.

Does anyone know the reasoning behind requiring a permit for keeping Emerald Tree Boas and Green Tree Pythons?

Or chameleons for that matter?

I'd have to agree, without knowing their reasoning, that requiring a permit for chameleons and tree boas seems a little unnecessary.
Otherwise it looks pretty reasonable to me. I'm actually surprised they allow for the keeping of snakeheads with a permit.

Permits to own Anaconda's and GTP's.


I'm never movin to Rhode Island. Personally I hope to have a yellow annie next summer.

Wasn't this country supposed to be the land of the free? What happened. Stupid Braindead oppressive government happened I guess.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

Or chameleons for that matter?

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My only guess would be that husbandry requirements are sometimes perceived as being difficult for them, and they might just want to make sure that the people caring for them know what they’re doing. The same could be said for GTPs and ETBs.

im bummed about chameleons and GTP- i actually was hoping to own them...i feel that in general its fairly reasonable... a permit is better then banned completely.

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Originally Posted by Dabonus

My only guess would be that husbandry requirements are sometimes perceived as being difficult for them, and they might just want to make sure that the people caring for them know what they’re doing. The same could be said for GTPs and ETBs.

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But thats not the governments job even if there heart's in the right place. People shouldn't roll over and just let them encroach on our freedoms like this. Thats the problem it's


"Oh well It Could be Worse" Syndrome

You say that enough and eventually they are at your door taking your snakes. They eventually make the permits to expensive and way to hard to get effectively killing the industry. It's a tactic that works in increments.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seru1

But thats not the governments job even if there heart's in the right place. People shouldn't roll over and just let them encroach on our freedoms like this. Thats the problem it's


"Oh well It Could be Worse" Syndrome

You say that enough and eventually they are at your door taking your snakes. They eventually make the permits to expensive and way to hard to get effectively killing the industry. It's a tactic that works in increments.

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I can only partly agree to that. Especially depending on whats required to earn a permit to own the animal in question. I dont think its all that wrong for the government to step in if they see a growing problem of abuse and neglect thats not being handled by those providing the animals for purchase.
I like not having to apply for a permit to own my snakes, but if it ment taking a short test and maybe even paying a small annual fee in order to keep thousands more from being neglected to death, then Im ok with that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seru1

But thats not the governments job even if there heart's in the right place. People shouldn't roll over and just let them encroach on our freedoms like this. Thats the problem it's


"Oh well It Could be Worse" Syndrome

You say that enough and eventually they are at your door taking your snakes. They eventually make the permits to expensive and way to hard to get effectively killing the industry. It's a tactic that works in increments.

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You're preaching to the chior on that one.
I'm a libertarian. :D

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Originally Posted by Sariel

I can only partly agree to that. Especially depending on whats required to earn a permit to own the animal in question. I dont think its all that wrong for the government to step in if they see a growing problem of abuse and neglect thats not being handled by those providing the animals for purchase.
I like not having to apply for a permit to own my snakes, but if it ment taking a short test and maybe even paying a small annual fee in order to keep thousands more from being neglected to death, then Im ok with that.

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I can understand you may not mind, my question it what gives the government the right?

I am definatly against animal abuse, but thats a problem a community should handle not a government. When we the people do for ourselves, things get done. When the government tries to do for us. Things get worse.

Honestly I don't have alot of money, and I hate having to bow to some worthless politician who has the IQ of a goldfish and getting some permit and paying a fee. I probably could not afford this fee. And I work hard to take good care of my animals.

Plus as with all government offices you can bet the test would make no sense, and getting the permit would take forever. And it would be hard to find out even where to get one.

Requiring permits would hurt the industry.



I don't want this to sound like an attack. Because your an individual with the right to have your own opinions. I am just passionate about this.

One question. how will the government know you have one of these permit required reptiles? If you buy a GTP, how will the government ever be able to enforce this new law?

Oh Well,
Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

One question. how will the government know you have one of these permit required reptiles? If you buy a GTP, how will the government ever be able to enforce this new law?

Oh Well,
Jim Smith

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They can't...people in MA keep monitors, chams, retics, ect with out permits and they don't get caught. Its not like people know better and can report or would report them. You'd have to be caught red handed by fish and game inorder to get introuble for it.

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Originally Posted by Brewster320

They can't...people in MA keep monitors, chams, retics, ect with out permits and they don't get caught. Its not like people know better and can report or would report them. You'd have to be caught red handed by fish and game inorder to get introuble for it.

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That's what I thought. The new law isn't worth the paper it's written on.

Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by Seru1

I can understand you may not mind, my question it what gives the government the right?

I am definatly against animal abuse, but thats a problem a community should handle not a government. When we the people do for ourselves, things get done. When the government tries to do for us. Things get worse.

Honestly I don't have alot of money, and I hate having to bow to some worthless politician who has the IQ of a goldfish and getting some permit and paying a fee. I probably could not afford this fee. And I work hard to take good care of my animals.

Plus as with all government offices you can bet the test would make no sense, and getting the permit would take forever. And it would be hard to find out even where to get one.

Requiring permits would hurt the industry.



I don't want this to sound like an attack. Because your an individual with the right to have your own opinions. I am just passionate about this.

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Oh Im not mad at all, but I do enjoy a discussion with differing points of view from time to time.

That said I agree that it should be the responsibility of the providers <breeders, middlemen, shippers, stores> to ensure that they arent simply selling living, and potentially dangerous animals to anyone ignorant soul whos misguided to buy one for whatever reason, without taking the time to be sure they can and know how to care for it properly.
but theres not, and theres so much sale going to people who shouldnt be owning these animals with little being done to moderate it. At some point I am ok with the government stepping in to handle it, since no one else will. I agree they arent always as efficient about handling problems as they should be, but in my ideal world when I say this, I envision them appointing people with knowledge of the field to decide guidelines for licensing and testing.

In a nutshell what Im trying to say is, you can only say its the communities job for so long, while the community isnt handling it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sariel

Oh Im not mad at all, but I do enjoy a discussion with differing points of view from time to time.

That said I agree that it should be the responsibility of the providers <breeders, middlemen, shippers, stores> to ensure that they arent simply selling living, and potentially dangerous animals to anyone ignorant soul whos misguided to buy one for whatever reason, without taking the time to be sure they can and know how to care for it properly.
but theres not, and theres so much sale going to people who shouldnt be owning these animals with little being done to moderate it. At some point I am ok with the government stepping in to handle it, since no one else will. I agree they arent always as efficient about handling problems as they should be, but in my ideal world when I say this, I envision them appointing people with knowledge of the field to decide guidelines for licensing and testing.

In a nutshell what Im trying to say is, you can only say its the communities job for so long, while the community isnt handling it.

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Your view point is pretty good but it takes some certain things under assumption.

A) Whoever is appointed to this position will likely not know squat about reptiles. He might have some people in his office or a consultant who might. Likely he'll be put there through the washington cronie Jobs program. Just another government official appointed to a do nothing position by his buddies or maybe even a lobbying group.


B) We are the community. Us here. And over at other sites, and conventions. Everyday we spread knowledge about reptile care. We are handling it but that leads me to C.


C) Nothing will ever completely stamp out the practice of people getting animals they should. Or mistreating animals. Thats a sad thing but nothing can be done to fully make that go away. We are far more effective at spreading knowledge than the government. Most people aren't monsters who mistreat snakes and other animals. Though they are out there, most people are simply ignorant.


Finally If you give the government an inch. Eventually they will want the whole thing. This is evident on multiple multiple instances throughout the 1900's with the government sticking there fingers in several private industries. Only to try to take the whole thing and subsequently make it horrible. Look at schools as a perfect example. The government honestly will never make them work. And the parents can't trust them because they are controlled by unions and radicals who are out of touch with core america. To worried about making sensitive happy kids, rather than smart useful ones.


I agree buisnesses need to take more responsibility to make sure the animals they make are getting a good home. But that again is up to us the customer. It's up to us to Support High quality Breeders like Pro Exotics, BHB, and all the other great breeders on this site.


We can't farm out problems to government. We have to take responsibility. It's up to you and me.

EDIT: 3 points for boring my text wall :banana: :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seru1

Your view point is pretty good but it takes some certain things under assumption.

A) Whoever is appointed to this position will likely not know squat about reptiles. He might have some people in his office or a consultant who might. Likely he'll be put there through the washington cronie Jobs program. Just another government official appointed to a do nothing position by his buddies or maybe even a lobbying group.


B) We are the community. Us here. And over at other sites, and conventions. Everyday we spread knowledge about reptile care. We are handling it but that leads me to C.


C) Nothing will ever completely stamp out the practice of people getting animals they should. Or mistreating animals. Thats a sad thing but nothing can be done to fully make that go away. We are far more effective at spreading knowledge than the government. Most people aren't monsters who mistreat snakes and other animals. Though they are out there, most people are simply ignorant.


Finally If you give the government an inch. Eventually they will want the whole thing. This is evident on multiple multiple instances throughout the 1900's with the government sticking there fingers in several private industries. Only to try to take the whole thing and subsequently make it horrible. Look at schools as a perfect example. The government honestly will never make them work. And the parents can't trust them because they are controlled by unions and radicals who are out of touch with core america. To worried about making sensitive happy kids, rather than smart useful ones.


I agree buisnesses need to take more responsibility to make sure the animals they make are getting a good home. But that again is up to us the customer. It's up to us to Support High quality Breeders like Pro Exotics, BHB, and all the other great breeders on this site.


We can't farm out problems to government. We have to take responsibility. It's up to you and me.

EDIT: 3 points for boring my text wall :banana: :P

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LOL, not boring at all..

It is a very tough situation, and really not nearly as black and white as we are laying out here, but it would take way to much to really get into everything.
You are right that history has proven the government isnt always with our best needs in mind, and definitely that we as a community do some part in trying to spread education. We're both in agreement its not enough. I'll pretty much just let it go here and at that to refrain from flooding out the forum and continuing to hijak the thread. I'm sure Ill be receiving alittle bit of hatemail for my viewpoint anyway ;).

Good talking with you though :):gj:

I can see why GTP and ETBs are are the list, along with Chams. Beginners get these reptiles and cannot take care of them correctly, resulting in alot of their deaths. I really wish bearded dragons were on the list, Probably 95% of petstore dragons do not see past the age of two, with petstores telling them that compact bulbs are good, calci sand, and ten crickets with a ten gallon tank will do. I doubt the chams they sell do either.

I'm fairly sure if you put the most popular beginner species on a list like that, there would simply be new most popular beginner species.
The solution to that is education, not permits and restrictions. Believe me when I tell you, in the past 2 decades, things have gotten unbelievably better, and it's due to education.

Without that, people would still be wearing live green anole lapel pins.

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Originally Posted by Beardedragon

I can see why GTP and ETBs are are the list, along with Chams. Beginners get these reptiles and cannot take care of them correctly, resulting in alot of their deaths. I really wish bearded dragons were on the list, Probably 95% of petstore dragons do not see past the age of two, with petstores telling them that compact bulbs are good, calci sand, and ten crickets with a ten gallon tank will do. I doubt the chams they sell do either.

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This law is crazy and is fed by the representatives that know NOTHING about keeping reptiles. I also saw where I would need to get a permit to keep a western hognose. Yeah, the representatives heard something about rear fanged and having venom, oh boy they must make us get a permit for our own safety.

Final words on this subject. What would happen if someone living in RI went out and bought one of every permit required reptile from an out of state breeder and brought them into their house? Yes, they would be breaking the law, but who would enforce this law that they're breaking? How are the men and women of the DNR going to police this law? It's almost unenforceable.

Another great peice of legislation!
Jim Smith