Reptile Laws in Sweden?

[RoseS]

I was wondering if anyone knew about reptile laws in Sweden. I'm throwing around the idea of possibly moving there in the future, but I can't seem to find anything except for a brief paragraph from Jonkoping's municipality (Essentially a county in Southern Sweden) stating that a form must be filled out for snakes. They mention there are keeping requirements as well, but there doesn't seem to be any details on what those keeping requirements are.
These are the links I've found:
https://www.jonkoping.se/byggabomilj...202fb8260.html
https://www.jonkoping.se/download/18...3%B6pa+orm.pdf

Any knowledge anyone has on the topic would be appreciated.

Also, I didn't see anything about non-snake reptiles. My partner owns a leopard gecko and a bearded dragon, so if we move to Sweden we will be taking them with us. I currently don't own any snakes but I am planning on getting a ball python in about a year or so and maybe a western hognose several years after that. I have them spaced out so much as I'm a bit obsessive about knowing what I want to get, whether I could handle it, whether it would integrate well into my lifestyle, and after that, knowing as much as possible about the particular thing I want (in this case, snake species).

[Mike41793]

Hmm. I would contact Bob Clark. I know he vends the Hamm Show in Germany. I know that doesn't really help, but Germany is closer to Sweden, maybe he's more familiar with the laws over there...? Sorry I wish I could help more, that's all I got.

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[sweballp]

I'm swedish!

Yes some countys require a form to be filled out. It cant be denied, you just have to register you pet, although most reptile keepers I know doesnt do this. I have never heard of these local laws being enforced anyway and are probably going away slowly in most countys, since its really just a waste of taxpayer money.

There are some keeping requirements, but these are mostly based on common sense like that the snake should have access to hides, fresh water and branches if its a climbing snake. There are also space requirements for all reptiles. For example a ground-dwelling snake up from 100 to 125 cm (about 4 foot) needs a vivarium with a floorspace of 0,4m2 (which is about 32x16 inches).

http://www.jordbruksverket.se/amneso...d80002653.html

If you need anymore help just ask in this thread

Offtopic: Why are you considering moviing to sweden?

[apithonor]

I should mention that pythons are considered ground snakes in those laws linked above, and I find that with my own two pythons they prefer to have places to climb, large branches to slither up, and holes in the limbs to hide in as well. I suggest that you consider an enclosure for your snake as if it was a tree python. It won't hang out in the tree in the same way, but it will appreciate the space.

The laws are the minimum, so if you have one python you will find that the tiny enclosures sold as 'perfect for ball pythons' in other countries (and even in Sweden, despite it being of illegal size) are not at all good for them. I have had people tell me that royal pythons like to be in their hide, and this is true, but they also come out and enjoy hunting, stretching out, and being able to hide in various places depending upon temperature, barometric pressure, or that its Tuesday.

If you have more than one in the same enclosure, it isn't a suggestion but a requirement for them to both be relaxed and have space where they can hide both on the warm side of the tank, or the cold. Also both having room to climb and hunt for fun means they get on better with each other, as well as with you. The less stress they have, the more tolerant of handling they are.

[apithonor]

Here are the Swedish Ministry of Agriculture regulations translated to English:

Minimum space for snakes and lizards
In animal protection regulations, it is the surface snakes and lizards at least need to have to move in order to feel good. A space for snakes and lizards may well be larger but never smaller than the dimensions in the tables below. Any shelves are not included in the surface.

Spaces for arboreal snakes:

The snake's length from tip of nose to tip of tail	The minimum surface	Minimum area per snake in group housing	Minimum height
Up to 35 cm	0.03 m²	0,015 m²	0.17 m
36-40 cm	0.04 m²	0.02 m²	0.2 m
41-50 cm	0.06 m²	0.03 m²	0.25 m
51-75 cm	0.12 m²	0.06 m²	0.4 m
76-100 cm	0.25 m²	0.12 m²	0.5 m
101-125 cm	0.4 m²	0.2 m²	0.65m
126-150 cm	0.55 m²	0.27 m²	0.75m
151-175 cm	0.75 m²	0.37 m²	0.85m
More than 175 cm	1.0 m²	0.5 m²	1.0 m

Spaces for terrestrial snakes:

The snake's length from tip of nose to tip of tail	The minimum surface	Minimum area per snake in group housing	Minimum height
Up to 30 cm	0.03 m²	0,015 m²	0.1 m
31-40 cm	0.04 m²	0.02 m²	0.12 m
41-50 cm	0.06 m²	0.03 m²	0.15m
51-75 cm	0.12 m²	0.06 m²	0.2 m
76-100 cm	0.25 m²	0.12 m²	0.28 m
101-125 cm	0.43 m²	0.2 m²	0.35 m
126-150 cm	0.63 m²	0.3 m²	0.45m
151-200 cm	1 m²	0.5 m²	0.5 m
201-300 cm	2.15 m²	1.0 m²	0.7 m
301-400 cm	4,1 m²	2.0 m²	1.0 m
401-500 cm	6.8 m²	3.4 m²	1.3 m
More than 500 cm	9.0 m²	4.5 m²	1.5 m

If your pet becomes ill
An animal that is sick, injured or showing other signs of illness, an urgent need to get the necessary care. Contact your veterinarian if you notice that your snakes or lizards are not feeling well.

In some cases, you need permission
If you run a business activity with snakes and lizards or you are leasing, storage and feeding of others snakes and lizards on a larger scale, you need permission from the provincial government. An activity is more extensive as it is conducted with six or more terrariums.

Find out what's in your community
Requirements for special permits to keep snakes varies from municipality to municipality. Contact the Environment office in your municipality to find out about the local laws where you live.

Controls
The county administrative boards are responsible for local control of the Animal Welfare Act.

[apithonor]

Also, OP - Jönköping is not in southern Sweden. Southern Sweden is considered Skåne.