What reptiles are illegal in california. Local laws may be more restrictive than state laws.

What reptiles are illegal in california. Tit. May 29, 2023 · Discover the fascinating legal exotic pets in California with our comprehensive guide. This is only intended to be a summarized description of the regulations regarding California's reptiles and amphibians. Local laws may be more restrictive than state laws. This is undoubtedly true in California, which is infamous for such laws. ) Jun 30, 2025 · Many reptiles and amphibians are illegal to keep as pets, particularly alligators, crocodiles, and venomous snakes. Mar 21, 2025 · Understand California's regulations on reptile ownership, including legal restrictions, permit requirements, and consequences for unlawful possession. It is unlawful for any person to receive, bring, or cause to be brought into this state, for the purpose of propagation, any fish, reptile, amphibian, or aquatic plant from any place wherein any infected, diseased, or parasitized fish, reptile, amphibia, or aquatic plants are known to exist. Wondering which exotic animals can be legally kept as pets in the state of California? Here is a partial list of what is allowed. Learn about the laws and regulations for owning unique pets in the state. Jan 1, 2016 · A person who purchases birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians from the department pursuant to the preceding sections shall, upon delivery, pay to the department, for deposit in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, the prevailing market price for legal birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians in effect on the date of seizure. Although this document contains excerpts from the Fish and Game Code and Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations, it is the restricted species permittee’s responsibility to know and obey all laws and regulations in effect while participating in restricted species activity. Birds of prey, such as hawks and eagles, are another category of forbidden animals. Some of the information contained here, including links, may have changed. Learn about the legal intricacies of snake ownership and discover the specific rules in your state. However, the department may authorize the taking of a fully protected reptile or amphibian for necessary scientific research, including efforts to recover fully protected, threatened, or endangered species. Jan 1, 2020 · The Department of Fish and Wildlife manages California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. Details what is allowed regarding the collecting of native reptiles and amphibians in California: California Laws Regarding Reptiles and Amphibians It is currently (as of 2024) illegal to own any captive bred colubrid/reptile that breeds in North America unless you are a licensed breeder through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The information below pertains to private hunting and collecting of native reptiles and amphibians in California, not selling or trading animals. Feb 17, 2019 · Snake Laws in the United States are complicated and vary greatly from state to state. Oct 9, 2025 · Federal law and state-by-state snake laws combine to create legal deterrents, with the Endangered Species Act offering nationwide protections while individual states enforce their own snake protection laws—making it illegal to kill snakes in many jurisdictions without facing legal consequences of killing snakes. It does not pertain to all aspects of selling or trading native or non-native reptiles and amphibians. It does not pertain to selling or trading animals. (Download it here. Reptile Ownership Laws by State *All information is current as of June 2025. The information below pertains to private hunting and collecting of native reptiles and amphibians in California. For a pdf with information regarding captive propagation of native reptiles and amphibians, follow the link on the special permits page Feb 19, 2025 · Is It Illegal to Kill Rattlesnakes in California? Understand California's laws on rattlesnake protection, including regulations, permits, penalties, and exceptions for handling encounters legally. The reasoning behind these bans centers on the potential danger to people and the risk that non-native species pose to California’s ecosystems. These animals are considered dangerous and require special permits to own. Anyone who violates this law can be subject to fines, confiscation of animals, and other penalties. This includes, Milk Snakes, King Snakes, Corn Snakes, Garter Snakes Although this document contains excerpts from the Fish and Game Code, and/or the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, it is the permittees’ responsibility to know and obey all laws and regulations in effect while he/she is participating in native reptile captive propagation activity. IsaLegal | The best way to get a bad law repealed is to Nothing here should be considered to be legal advice or an interpretation of local, state, or federal laws. LII State Regulations California Code of Regulations Title 14 - Natural Resources Division 1 - Fish and Game Commission-Department of Fish and Game Subdivision 1 - Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles Chapter 5 - Native Reptiles and Amphibians Cal. Changes to either code may occur at any time during the year. You are responsible for knowing the current regulations regarding reptiles and amphibians if you plan to catch or collect them. Discover the top 10 exotic animals that are legal to own in California. For use as a reference only. Many species of California reptiles and amphibians cannot be collected without special permits. For information regarding captive propagation of native reptiles go to the CDFW website and read the Native Reptile Captive Propagation Laws and Regulations pdf. To download a PDF with information regarding captive propagation of native reptiles and amphibians, go to the Jul 28, 2025 · Some animals are illegal to own in California, including primates, wolves, bears, big cats, and some reptiles. Consult the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) (Formerly the Herps that may be taken according to the current regulations: Amphibians Reptiles An Interpretation of which Herps may not be taken: Amphibians Reptiles Restricted Species Laws Herping Regulations From Previous Years 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 CalTip Californians Turn in Poachers & Polluters The California Department of Fish and Game encourages anyone who witnesses or is aware of a Feb 28, 2010 · Nothing you read here should be considered to be legal advice or an interpretation of local, state, or federal laws. Explore which exotic pets are allowed in the state. Nothing you read here should be considered to be legal advice or an interpretation of local, state, or federal laws. Code Regs. May 3, 2023 · No, it is illegal to breed, sell, import, export, or keep certain reptile species without a license in California. Although this document contains excerpts from the Fish and Game Code, and/or the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, it is the permittees’ responsibility to know and obey all laws and regulations in effect while he/she is participating in native reptile captive propagation activity. Aug 29, 2023 · FindLaw's state-by-state guide of laws that prohibit and/or regulate the ownership of certain exotic animals. . While these prehistoric-looking reptiles are a fascinating part of the animal kingdom, they don’t naturally belong in the Golden State’s ecosystems. All states seem to have unique and seemingly odd laws that are sometimes considered unworthy or senseless. Our guide helps you make sense of it all and also covers liability issues. Jul 24, 2024 · Snake Laws: From ownership regulations to handling restrictions, we've got it covered. Oct 9, 2023 · California has a long exhaustive list of animals that are illegal to own, such as monkeys. 14, § 40 - General Provisions Relating to Native Reptiles and Amphibians Apr 10, 2025 · Wait—what? Is that even possible? The answer is surprising: no, alligators are not native to California, but rare sightings have occurred due to illegal pet releases or escapes. bvn 1r8 ccsen ni qiv anw wzdhpr 7ztnql ol9slo 8c