Need the real deal on red tail boas in Flordia

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I must admit I am confused. I do not believe the most recent laws that banned selling burms and rock pythons and others apply to red tails.

Here is the quesiton... Are there any rules that apply to red tails in Fl? To be legal, do you have to have any permits or anything?

If you know the answers to these questions please explain and if you can show me the actual legislation.... again, I am only asking about Red Tail Boa Constrictors.

thanks guys!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Well, I am happy to see that two hours later, and 35 views later nobody has answered this.... maybe I am not the ONLY one confused???

Mike

[HERETiC]

This seems like something you should definitely research. If I'm not mistaken, regulations may vary by area/towns/cities, not just state.

I really wouldn't know where to look for you, as I live in PA...

Maybe this will help:

http://www.usark.org/statelaws.php

Hope you get it figure out

[smoffler]

from what I heard, (as I'm a Fla Cracker) do law bans red tails, but it is advised to get them micro-chipped for your own good. but thats just what a friend of mine told me (works at pet kingdom)

[loonunit]

Boy, I feel like if I'd been staying up-to-date on my USARK e-mailings, I'd know the answer. But USARK is who I'd ask, especially if you get conflicting answers here.

They have some of the state laws in viewable/downloadable format here: http://usark.org/statelaws.php

But I tried to search the .pdf documents on the word "boa", and there are no direct references in the two FL laws that they have posted there. So I think I'd still want to talk to someone from USARK and see if they can point to the correct section of the correct law.

[kellysballs]

Okay, heres the real deal on RTB's in FL. They are legal to posses and breed in the state by anyone. They are also legal to sell if you have a class 3 wildlife permit for exhibition and sale of reptiles and amphibians. ($50 yearly fee). The only snakes banned are
* Indian or Burmese python (Python molurus)
* Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)
* Northern African python (Python sebae)
* Southern African python (Python natalensis)
* Amethystine python (Morelia amethistinus)
* Scrub python (Morelia kinghorni)
* Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
* Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)

And these are now called "conditional reptiles". And here are the regulations concerning them:
Regulations for Conditional Snakes and Lizards

Conditional reptiles are not allowed to be acquired for personal possession. Reptile dealers, researchers and public exhibitors may apply for a permit to import or possess conditional snakes and lizards. Individuals that possessed of any of these reptile species as personal pets and that were properly licensed before July 1, 2010 may keep their animal and must maintain a valid reptile of concern license for the remainder of the animal’s life.

Conditional snakes and lizards must be kept indoors or in outdoor enclosures with a fixed roof and must be permanently identified with a microchip when the animal reaches one inch in diameter, unless the animal is to be exported out of the state within 180 days. Conditional snakes and lizards must be double-bagged and placed into a secure container for transport. Owners of conditional snakes and lizards must submit a Captive Wildlife Critical Incident/Disaster Plan and must maintain records or their inventory.

Further info on amnesty and red eared sliders can be found here:
http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/No...alReptiles.htm

Hope this helps!

[Russ Lawson]

Mike, redtails are safe - no worries there. As far as the former RoC's go, I've been researching this a fair bit lately, and it seems pretty much nothing has changed except that the FWC has stopped issuing permits to keep them to people who aren't "licensed dealers, public exhibitors or researchers that meet certain biosecurity measures." I'll admit I was deceived by the wording on the new piece of legislation that passed. It definitely sounded like it was going to be a ban. According to the FWC though, apparently it was not. I'd suggest having a look around the FWC's website as they have several pages on conditional species now. Here is one I found that is probably the most helpful: http://myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/Rules_Nonnative.htm