You need to register your reptiles and amphibians in Virginia

[Gocntry]

I saw this article this morning, It was news to me.

https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/outdoors...s-in-virginia/

Calling all lizard, turtle, snake, and other reptilian or amphibious critter lovers! The Virginia Reptile and Amphibian Registry is now open for Virginians in possession of these species.

According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), this registry is only for people living in Virginia with a Virginia native or naturalized species of reptile or amphibian that is currently in your private care — whether is was caught in the wild, captive-bred, or obtained outside Virginia — before July 1, 2021.

However, Cornsnake morphs (ghost, snow, fancy, and other nonnative variations) and albino animals reportedly do not need to be registered.


Well at least that lets Sicle off the registry (for now). All the rest of the crew are Non Native so they are good to go.

[KMG]

Threatening an inability to get vet care is dirty. Them just trying to force people into something using feelings. Those that have been doing things correctly will comply while those that haven't will not. That's the problem with registrations. Only the good folks make the list. Then when they decide you can no longer have the registered item, or want you to now pay for it, they know which doors to knock on.

[Bogertophis]

Another way to look at it is they're protecting native species from over-collection (illegal poaching!).

As human populations expand (along with the negative "side effects" such as pollution & pets running loose that kill wildlife) & the natural habitat for wildlife disappears, most of us want to make sure that our native species are not decimated by human greed or general thoughtlessness. This registry is just a way to establish one's long-term pets, so they're not confused with illegally-taken animals. Personally, I applaud their conservation efforts.

[KMG]

Another way to look at it is they're protecting native species from over-collection (illegal poaching!).

As human populations expand (along with the negative "side effects" such as pollution & pets running loose that kill wildlife) & the natural habitat for wildlife disappears, most of us want to make sure that our native species are not decimated by human greed or general thoughtlessness. This registry is just a way to establish one's long-term pets, so they're not confused with illegally-taken animals. Personally, I applaud their conservation efforts.

On second thought just delete my entire post as it is all "political." I have no desire to go round and round with you........again.

[asplundii]

This is not new information. I moved to the region over a decade ago an,d when I called F&W before moving to find out the regs so that I would be in compliance, I was told about this

[bcr229]

This is not new information. I moved to the region over a decade ago an,d when I called F&W before moving to find out the regs so that I would be in compliance, I was told about this

It's new because the registry is closing for good at the end of this year. It looks like VA will prohibit keeping of native species acquired after July 1, 2021 as a measure to combat poaching.

[Gocntry]

It's new because the registry is closing for good at the end of this year. It looks like VA will prohibit keeping of native species acquired after July 1, 2021 as a measure to combat poaching.

Yep, new law as of July 01 2021,

https://www.nbc12.com/2021/07/01/ban...fect-virginia/

Generations of Virginians have taken box turtles from forests and yards to keep as pets. As of today, that’s illegal.

Experts say the docile, colorful turtles are in decline, and new state regulations taking effect ban turning them into pets. The rules also impose tough restrictions on keeping common native reptiles and amphibians such as garter snakes and bullfrogs.


The ban on pet box turtles is part of a larger effort by the wildlife department to better protect Virginia’s reptiles and amphibians.
Another rule slashes the number of common native reptiles and amphibians that people can keep as pets. Previously, you could keep up to five of most species — for example, five garter snakes, plus five bullfrogs, and so on. The new rules cut that to one — literally one animal, not one of each species — per household.