Moving to a more reptile friendly state? (Florida, Carolinas?)

Hey everyone, my apologies if this isn't quite the correct place for this thread.

I've been weighing the idea of moving to another state that would be better for keeping reptiles. Missouri isn't bad, but i do have to prepare for the ice storms once in awhile.

My lady and I have been discussing the idea lately, though I've been pondering it for much longer.

We agreed that Florida would be interesting, and great for herps. However, I've been trying to research the state before I make any commitment. I know that if I do make the move, it would be in the top half of the state, but I'm curious about other members experience or thoughts on making a move like this.

I don't really spend a lot of time with my family, so that isn't an issue, and I have other hobbies to make friends easily enough.

So, have any of you moved from your home to a state on the coast? What were the hardest parts? What would you consider your greatest successes with it?

Also, any reptile laws that one should be aware of?

I will continue reading into these inquiries on my own, but any help is greatly appreciated.

The Southern States increasingly have negative legislation in the works. They may have a reptile-friendly CLIMATE, but they most certainly can't be considered reptile-friendly States.

I can insulate a room, get a backup generator, and use an oil heater...I don't mind that, so long as I can actually legally own the animals.

Nebraska here is pretty good for reptile laws. So is Wyoming, where I would like to eventually wind up. (Outside of some cities with ordinances, the State has only one law...you aren't allowed to keep a black mamba, lol. Of course, there are some endangered species rules, and are laws for wild collection, but that's about it).

What ever you do dont come to Ohio. we are getting hammered with new legistration right now. The wife and I are considering relocating to Florida also because of this. Florida has quite a few laws but most of it seems to be keeping up with and having proper records and permits.

Before anyone packs up the house and family and moves to Florida, I would try and get some info and opinions from those who are currently living there or have lived there in the past. I was born and grew up in FL and would have serious reservations about moving back there...

I love living in Florida. BUT...

We are not allowed to own any giant pythons UNLESS you were grandfathered in when the law was passed. No getting a new permit for yourself for giants. Some native species you must have a permit for (alligator snapping turtle, skunks, opossums), some levels of permits are free, some are not. I don't know the specifics on each permit but yea. Also, no shipping feeder roaches into Florida. The only legal ones to own IN Florida are Discoidalis. You need a permit from FWC to legally sell or purchase ball pythons (other animals included but don't have the list). Must have documented hours with a venomous licensed person in order to get a venomous permit.

I am probably forgetting something but those are some things to consider. None of your animals listed will need special permits.

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Originally Posted by aldebono

Also, no shipping feeder roaches into Florida.

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That just makes the native roaches jealous...:D

I'm in south Ga. About 45 minuets from Fla. You can have feeder roaches (dubias) here. You can also have native hots here, but your not suppose to have native non hots ( corns, rats, hognose,etc.). Indagos is a BIG nono. The temps are the same as mid/ north fla. Though I think that Florida is better on taxes.
Spooky

Illinois isn't too bad. The only legislation I know of to be aware of is that since Hognoses are a local species you have to get a permit to own them. We have winters, but usually more snow storms than ice storms, and I've never had my power knocked out from a winter storm yet (I've lived in Northern IL my entire 24 years).

CT sucks lol. Not for herp laws but for weather. I'll be heading south or west when i finish school in a few years. I wanna live where it stays nice and warm year round lol

I just moved back home to Florida after a military career and 4 years working for the USAF as a civilian.

The act of physically moving to Florida is not that hard (seems like millions of Yankees figure out how to do it every year...I kid, I kid). I was a Virginia state resident on a Monday, and by the time the sun set on Thursday, I was once again a full up Florida resident with my DL, Voter Reg, and Lic Plate on my vehicle. It helps to have a previously established address, but still, the process is pretty simple.

Florida is a fairly tax friendly state. We have no state taxes on regular or military retirement income, and depending on where you live, local property taxes are in line with the national average or slightly lower. The further south you get below Ocala, the higher the property tax rate.

Because we don't have a state income tax, the local sales taxes can be high, and gas is taxed to high heaven in many counties.

As far as Herps go, the climate is certainly friendly, and depending on what you want to keep, the rules and regulations are not too hard to live with. Knowing and understanding the laws is important. Some animals require a permit, and some are simply not allowed to be kept unless you were here to get grandfathered. I do find that living in central Florida, most of the animals I'm not allowed to keep, can be found just beyond my back yard, so it's not like you never get to see them.

If you plan on breeding and selling animals in Florida, you might want to speak to a Florida based breeder. I know they have certain permits they are required to have, but I don't know what the cost would be.

If you're going to sell any reptiles in Florida you need a permit from the FWC, it's $50 a year and easy enough to obtain.

http://myfwc.custhelp.com/app/answer...other-reptiles.

For the time being, Alabama seems like an excellent place to keep herps. The only laws we have are for native species (indigos, pines, southern hognoses, alligator snapping turtle, AL map turtle), although venomous are illegal without a permit.

So far we haven't fallen victim to the legislation that's sweeping the nation. I'm kind of worried about it though, being that we're so close to Florida and this state has its fair share of closed-minded politicians and voters.

http://www.alabamaherps.com/laws%20&...ateRegulations

Montana is gun friendly, and reptile friendly. That's all I need. :D

I think SC is about the most herp friendly state I can think of, and if you live in Columbia your only 2 hours from the beach, 2 hours from Charlotte, and pretty darn close to Fl and Ga.

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Originally Posted by sho220

Before anyone packs up the house and family and moves to Florida, I would try and get some info and opinions from those who are currently living there or have lived there in the past. I was born and grew up in FL and would have serious reservations about moving back there...

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An old friend of mine lives in St. Augustine and has been enjoying it there. She has said little that would be taken as negative for living down there. Though, in the thought of being well informed, brought me to asking around here for others for more opinions.

I live in NC and LOVE it i hope when my husband retires from the army we will stay here, there is really no laws about keeping snakes that i can find.

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Originally Posted by rebelrachel13

For the time being, Alabama seems like an excellent place to keep herps. The only laws we have are for native species (indigos, pines, southern hognoses, alligator snapping turtle, AL map turtle), although venomous are illegal without a permit.

So far we haven't fallen victim to the legislation that's sweeping the nation. I'm kind of worried about it though, being that we're so close to Florida and this state has its fair share of closed-minded politicians and voters.

http://www.alabamaherps.com/laws%20&...ateRegulations

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I'll second this. However, there's nothing to do there. At all. At least GA has ATL. But if you don't care about that kinda stuff then it's perfect. You can own any non-Federally protected species. And a permit to HOTs is as easy to get as a hunting permit.

I live in GA. You can't own a native species as a pet. So no cornsnakes here.

I live in Florida. it has a lot to offer for herp enthusiasts. there are 10 Repticon shows here a year. The Daytona show is here. If you like to explore, there are many native species that people keep as pets. There are several venemous reptile camps here that you can visit. Then if you want more, you can venture down to the Everglades and find the giant invasive species and other reptiles like iguanas, Tegu, monitors, etc... in the wild. As far as getting Dubia roaches, well that hasn't stopped some people I know from getting them. ;)

I keep my Panther Chameleon outside. It is the ideal climate for him. Just this week my kids have caught, green tree frogs, brown anoles, green anoles, Cuban tree frogs, brown rat snake, oak toads. We are incubating anole eggs now that they found and that is just around our house. We love it here

ZOMBIES in Fla..........http://www.myfoxny.com/story/1863317...fight-in-miami
spooky

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Originally Posted by mr.spooky

ZOMBIES in Fla..........http://www.myfoxny.com/story/1863317...fight-in-miami
spooky

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Yes, I see Zombies all the time. Almost saw the start of the Gainesville outbreak this past weekend. False alarm. Just be sure to get your concealed carry permit and you will be fine.

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Originally Posted by mr.spooky

ZOMBIES in Fla..........

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Ever been to St. Pete? That place is full of the living dead...

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Originally Posted by Wicked Constrictors

I live in NC and LOVE it i hope when my husband retires from the army we will stay here, there is really no laws about keeping snakes that i can find.

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I live in NC too, its great unless you want to own hots. Then it's a whole other story.

I'm still leaning towards South Carolina or Florida.

Chris, what's the 'whole other story' of hots in NC?

Your welcome in Texas!

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Originally Posted by Virus

I'm still leaning towards South Carolina or Florida.

Chris, what's the 'whole other story' of hots in NC?

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You can't own any native hots, so no copperheads, no EDB, no pygmies, no timbers, no canebrakes, and no corals. They are all protected in NC. Permits are only issued to zoos and educational institutions. Non native you can own but can't sell and you have to have permits, but those aren't too hard to obtain from my understanding. Also in NC and this may be true in other states as well you
can not get home owners insurance if you own hots.