Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

Memorandum

To: All Massachusetts pet stores
From: Tom French, Assistant Director
Re: Amended Regulations
Date: 10 August 1995

The Division of Fisheries & Wildlife has recently completed the revision of several wildlife regulations. Enclosed are copies of two of these, the Exemption List (321 CMR 9.01) and the Domestic Animal List (321 CMR 9.02), which relate directly to pet stores.

The Domestic Animal List identifies the animals that are legally classified as domestic in Massachusetts and are therefore not regulated by the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. The important change to this regulation is that wolf/dog hybrids and wild/domestic cat hybrids are no longer classified as domestic animals. All existing hybrids were grandfathered by a recent statute (M.G.L. 131:77A) but must be registered with the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, and no new hybrids will be allowed as pets.

Many changes were made to the Exemption List. The vast majority of these changes were to remove the permit requirement from species that previously required a permit to keep and therefore could not previously be sold in pet stores. However, there were some more restrictive changes made which changed the status of a few species so that they can no longer be legally sold in pet stores or kept by a person without a permit.

Examples of species that are now available for sale in pet stores that previously were not include: African pygmy hedgehog, Egyptian spiny mouse, monk parakeet, button quail, Java sparrow, leopard tortoise, spur-thighed tortoise, tropical rat snake, western hognose snake, and prehensile-tailed skinks.

Examples of species that may no longer be sold in pet stores include: reticulated python, African rock python, green tree python, anaconda, and most temperate zone fresh water fish (i.e. channel catfish, sturgeon and gar). The sale of any of these animals that are already in a pet store will be allowed until October 1, 1995.

Examples of species that were already restricted and still may not be legally kept or sold in pet stores include: most larger mammals (i.e. monkeys, Kinkajous, fox, etc.), piranha, walking catfish, all venomous snakes, all true chameleons, and all monitors.

If there are any questions relating to these or other wildlife regulations do not hesitate to call me or other staff at the Division's Westboro Field Headquarters (508-792-7270) or the Boston office (617-727-3151).

New England Reptile & Amphibian Regulations

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The information contained in the following pages is for reference purposes only. While we do our best to compile the most current information available, we cannot guarantee it's accuracy. Please be sure to contact the governing authority in your state for the most up to date information, and if you have any questions about the regulations.

Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Vermont

 

Connecticut Herptile Regulations

The following information is excerpted from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection website (http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2704&q=323516). Please note that only reptile & amphibian information has been provided. Please refer to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection site for the full regulation text.

26-55-3. Possession of salamanders and turtles

(a) No person shall possess in excess of three (3) Spotted Salamanders, (Ambystoma maculatum), at any time.

(b) No person shall possess in excess of three (3) Marbled Salamanders, (Ambystoma opacum), at any time.

(c) No person shall possess any Wood Turtle, (Clemmys insculpta), at any time.

(d) No person shall possess in excess of one (1) Eastern Box Turtle, (Terrapene c. carolina), at any time.

(e) No person shall possess in excess of one (1) Eastern hognose snake, (Heterodos platirhinos), at any time.

(f) No person shall possess in excess of one (1) Eastern ribbon snake, (Thamnophis sauritus), at any time.

26-66-13. Seasons, bag limits and methods for taking amphibians

(a) There shall be no open season for taking Jefferson Salamanders, (Ambystomajeffersoianum), Blue-spotted Salamanders, (Ambystoma laterale), Tremblay'sSalamanders, (Ambystoma tremblayi), Silvery Salamanders, (Ambystoma platineum),Eastern Spadefoot Toads, (Scaphiopus h. holbrooki) and Northern Leopard Frogs, ( Ranapipiens), in any developmental stage.

(b) The open season for taking adult Spotted Salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum,and adult Marbled Salamanders, Ambystoma opacum, shall be from May 1 throughAugust 31. During the open season, adult Spotted Salamanders and Marbled Salamandersshall only be taken by hand or hand-held implement. No person shall take any adultSpotted Salamanders or Marbled Salamanders by seine net. The daily and season baglimit shall not exceed three (3) of each species. There shall be no open season for takingeggs or juveniles of these species. For purposes of this section, A seine net means a netwith sinkers on one edge and floats on the other that hangs vertically in the water andencloses aquatic wildlife when its ends are pulled together or are drawn ashore.(c) There shall be no closed season and no daily or season bag limits on taking adultRed-spotted Newts, Notophthalmus v. viridescens. Adult Red-spotted Newts shall onlybe taken by hand or hand-held implement. No person shall take any adult Red-spottedNewt by seine net as defined in subsection (b) of this section, minnow trap, or by aid of amotorboat. There shall be no open season for taking eggs or juveniles of these species.

26-66-14. Seasons, bag limits and methods for taking reptiles

(a) There shall be no open season for taking Bog Turtles, (Clemmys muhlenbergii),Wood Turtles, (Clemmys ensculpta) Diamondback Terrapins, (Malaclemys terrapin) andEastern Box Turtles, (Terrapene c. carolina), in any developmental stage.

(b) The open season for taking Black Rat Snakes, Elaphe o. obsoleta, shall be fromMay 1 through August 31. During the open season, Black Rat Snakes shall only be takenby hand or hand-held implement. The daily and season bag limit shall not exceed one(1). However, there shall be no open season for taking eggs of this species.

(c) Repealed.

26-78-2. Conditions on possession of bog turtles

(a) Any person owning or keeping a Bog Turtle shall submit the following information to the Wildlife Division of the Department of Environmental Protection: name and address of keeper; type and number of turtles owned or kept; date each turtle was acquired; approximate age of each turtle; address at which each turtle is kept; and any other information which the Commissioner deems necessary.

Any change in the information provided in accordance with subsection (a) shall be reported to the Wildlife Division in writing within twenty (20) days.

Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Reptiles

Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Amphibians

Effective June 3, 2004

+ Federally Endangered
^ Federally Threatened

Maine Herptile Regulations

The following information is exerpted from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website (http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/species/unrestricted_species.htm). Please note that only reptile & amphibian information has been provided. Please refer to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife site for the full regulation text.

Unrestrited Reptile & Amphibian Species

Listed Species: The following species of reptiles and amphibians do not require an importation permit, and can be traded by commercial pet shops, pursuant to Title 12 MRSA 7237, and 7377 and Regulations Chapter 2.3 and 7.60: “Acceptable species of tropical fish and wildlife that may be imported without an importation permit shall be designated by the Commissioner, a list of which shall be maintained and made available by the Department. The acceptability of such species to be imported or possessed shall be based on an informed determination by the Commissioner that the species will not cause an unreasonable risk to indigenous species, or their habitats, or pose other dangers to the natural community, in captivity or if accidentally or intentionally released into the wild.”

Reminder: A Wildlife or Fish Importation permit is STILL required for any species that is not listed herein as Unrestricted by the Commissioner. The list is updated annually on January 1st. Please check for species that may be added or deleted from the list.

Added this year: Degu- Octodon degu

Addition of Species: Any species can be considered for addition to this list by submitting a request with sufficient documentation to the Warden Service Permit Office by September for the next annual publication.

Captive Breeding: The Department is moving towards a requirement that all stock for pet shops be captive bred. If a listed species is not available as captive bred, an exception can be considered if requested (see heading “Addition of Species” above). This is necessary because of high tick loads and health issues, and other considerations in many wild caught specimens.

Maine Law prohibits the commercial trading of native Maine snakes and turtles taken from the wild.

Endangered Species - Animal Welfare:

Importers of wildlife must comply with CITES and Endangered and Threatened Species Regulations, and with State and Federal Animal Welfare laws. Under Maine law, in addition to Maine Warden Service, the Department of Agriculture Pet Shop Inspector may enforce Fish and Wildlife laws (Title 12 MRSA) relating to wildlife importation.

Species Identification: Because of the variety of common names in use, the latin scientific name of all wildlife and fish species sold in pet shops must be designated and readily available at inspection. They are listed here by common name first.

Questions regarding domestic animals, or about the pet shop license itself, should be addressed to the Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources, Division of Regulations, Animal Welfare Unit, Station #28, Augusta, ME 04333. (207) 287-3846.

Questions regarding the importation of fish or wildlife, and about the unrestricted species list for importing wildlife, should be addressed to Warden Service, 284 State Street, 41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0041. (207) 287-5240.

Wildlife Possession Permit
Propagation Permit
Importation Permit

 

Click link to navigate to a specific section of the list:

Snakes:
Top

Common Name	Scientific Name
Water Snakes Exceptions: Northern Water Snake Atlantic Salt Marsh Snake Concho Water Snake	Nerodia spp. N. Sipedon (BIO) N. clarkiitaeniata (E&T) N. paucimaculata (E&T)
Rat Snake, American ( New World)  Exceptions: Black Rat Snake E.O. Old World Rat Snake	Elaphe spp. obsoleta, (BIO) (E&T in MA) Elaphe spp (SN & BIO)
King Snakes Exceptions: Scarlet King Snake St. Helena Mt. King Snake	Lampropeltis spp. L. triangulum elapsoides (SN) L.Z. zonata (BIO)
Milk Snakes Exceptions: Eastern Milk Snake Red Milk Snake Pale Milk Snake	Lampropeltis spp. L. Triangulum triangulum (BIO) L. triangulum syspila (BIO) L.T. multistrata (BIO)
Indigo Snake, South American Cribo Exceptions: All U.S. Indigo Snakes (SN) (E&T)	Drymarchon spp. (Captive bred only)
Gopher and Pine Snakes	Pituophis melanoleucu sub spp.
Glossy Snakes	Arizona spp.
House Snakes	Boaedon spp.
Sunbeam Snake	Xenopeltis unicolor
Boa Constrictor	Boa constrictor constrictor (also known as the Red-Tailed Boa)
Ball Python	Python regius (captive bred only due to high tick loads from wild)
Rainbow Boa	Epicrates cenchrin spp.
Rosey Boa	Lichanur trivirgata
Jungle Carpet Python	Morelia spilota ssp.
Childrens Python	Liasis childreni
Kenyan Sand Boa	Eryx colubrinus loveridgei (captive bred only)
Rough Scaled Sand Boa	Eryx conicus (captive bred only)

Lizards:
Top

Common Name	Scientific Name
Common Agama	Agama agama
Giant Ameiva	Ameiva ameiva
Basilisks, common	Basiliscus spp.
Bearded dragon	Pogona vitticeps
Chameleons, New World (only)	Anolis spp.
Chuckwalla, Chilean (only)	Phymaturus spp.
Gecko, Mediterranean	Hemidaclybus spp.
Gecko, Banded (all)	Coleonyx spp.
Gecko, Day	Phelsuma spp.
Gecko, Leopard	Eublepharis spp.
Gecko, Tokay	Gecko gecko
Gecko, African Fat Tailed (captive bred only)	Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
Gecko, New Caledonian Crested	Rhacodactylus ciliatus
Lizard, Alligator	Gerrhonotus spp.
Lizard, Collard and leopard	Crotaphytus spp.
Lizard, Curly-tailed	Leiocephalus spp.
Lizard, False club-tailed	Pseudocordylus spp.
Lizard, Girdle-tailed	Cordylus spp.
Lizard, Glass	Ophisaurus spp.
Lizard, Greater Earless	Holbrookia spp.
Lizard, Mountain-horned	Calotes spp.
Lizard, Plated	Gerrhosaurus spp.
Lizard, Rock	Platysaurus spp.
Lizard, Side blotched	Uta spp.
Lizard, Spiny	Sceloporus spp.
Lizard, Tree and Bush	Urosaurus spp.
Lizard, zebra-tailed	Calisaurus spp.
Lizard, Black (spiny tailed)	Ctenosaurus spp.
Lizard, whiptail	Cnemidophorus spp.
Lizard, Night	Xantusia spp.
Skink, Blue tongue (captive bred only)	Tiligua spp.
Skink, Southwestern Five-lined	Eumeces inexpectatus
Tegu, Common (captive bred only)	Tupinambis spp.
Tegu, dwarf	Callopistes spp.
Water dragon	Physignathus spp.
So. American Swift Exception: L.Altissimus	Liolaemus spp.

Turtles:
Top

Common Name	Scientific Name
Red-Eared Turtle	Chrysemys scripta elegans

Amphibians:
Top

Common Name	Scientific Name
Horned Frog	Ceratophrys spp.
Whites Tree Frog	Litoria caerulea
Green Tree Frog	Hyla cinerea
Red Eyed Tree Frog	Agaychnis ssp.
Pixie Frog (African Bullfrog)	Pyxicephalus spp. (captive bred only)

Massachusetts Restricted Herptiles List

In 1995, Massachusetts revised its list of those reptiles and amphibians that require a permit to possess in captivity. This revision is the first since the list was written in the 1970's, with the help of the Massachusetts Herpetological Society. The New England Herpetological Society was instrumental in the revision of the list - many animals commonly captive bred were removed from the list (for example, Bearded Dragons and Leopard Tortoises).

The lists available below are a combination of the new Permits List and the Massachusetts list of endangered, threatened, or special concern species (which only deals with species native to Massachusetts). Other animals that also require a permit are those that are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and those species listed in the Red Book of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). For example, although not listed here, Galapagos tortoises would require a state permit.

Permit applications can be obtained from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife at 100 Cambridge Street, Leverett Saltonstall Building, Room 1902, Boston, MA 02202. Their telephone number is (617) 727-3151. Two types of permits are available: a permit to possess a single animal, and a permit for multiple animals (necessary for captive breeding). Permits are renewed on a yearly basis, for a small fee (per permit, not per animal). Permits are relatively easy to obtain for animals that are captive-bred (if they aren't already exempt) except in the case of venomous species. For rare, imported, or endangered animals, permits are issued on a case-by-case basis; if you want to work with an endangered species for example, it helps if you have a lot of experience with related, non-threatened, species. A number of members of the New England Herpetological Society possess permits for many different animals. Ask around at a meeting for more information if you are interested.

The revised regulations were circulated to Massachusetts pet stores in August of 1995. To read the cover letter that accompanied the regulations, click here.

Click link to navigate to a specific section of the list:

 

Amphibians:
Top

Only the indicated species require permits:
Jefferson Salamander	Ambystoma jeffersonianum species
Blue-spotted Salamander	Ambystoma laterale species
Marbled Salamander	Ambystoma opacum species
Spotted Salamander	Ambystoma maculatum species
Silvery Salamander	Ambystoma platineum species
Tremblay's Salamander	Ambystoma tremblayi species
Spring Salamander	Gyrinophilus porphyriticus species
Four-toed Salamander	Hemidactylium scutatum species
Eastern Spadefoot	Scaphiopus holbrooki species

 

Crocodilians:
Top

All crocodilians require permits

 

Lizards:
Top

All the lizards in the following families require permits:
Amphisbaenids	Worm Lizards
Anniellids	American Legless Lizards
Chamaeleontids	Old-World Chameleons
Helodermatids	Gila Monster/Beaded Lizard
Pygopodids	Australian Scaley-foot Lizards
Varanids	Monitor Lizards
Xenosaurids	Knob-scale Lizards
In the following families, all species require permits except the indicated species:
Agamids	Agamas
- Bearded Dragon	Amphibolorus/Pogona species
- except	Calotes species
- except	Hydrosaurus species
- except Water Dragon	Physignathus species
In the following families, all species require permits except the indicated species:
Anguids	Lateral Fold Lizards
- except Slowworm	Anguis species
- except Alligator Lizard	Gerrhonotus species
- except Glass Lizard	Ophisaurus species
In the following families, all species require permits except the indicated species:
Cordylids	Girdle-tailed Lizards
- except Plated Lizard	Gerrhosaurus species
- except Malagasy Plated Lizard	Zonosaurus species
- except Girdle-tailed Lizard	Cordylus species
- except Rock Lizard	Platysaurus species
- except False Club-tailed Lizard	Pseudocordylus species
In the following families, all species require permits except the indicated species:
Iguanids	Iguanas
- except New World Chameleons	Anolis and Ctenotus species
- except Basilisks	Basiliscus species
- except Zebra-tailed Lizards	Callisaurus species
- except Collared Lizards	Crotaphytus species
- except False Iguanas	Ctenosaurus species
- except Green Iguanas	Iguana iguana species
- except Spiny Lizards	Sceloporus species
- except Tree and Bush Lizards	Urosaurus species
- except Tree Iguanas	Liolaemus species
- except Mophead Iguanas	Uranoscodon species
In the following families, all species require permits except the indicated species:
Lacertids	Lacertas
- except Fringe-Fingered Lizards	Acanthodactylus species
- except Gallot's Lizards	Gallotia species
- except Lacertas	Lacerta species
- except Wall Lizards	Podarcis species
- except Sand Lizards	Psammodromus species
In the following families, only the indicated species require permits:
Gekkonids	Geckos
Big Bend Gecko	Coleonyx reticulatus species
In the following families, only the indicated species require permits:
Scincids	Skinks
Florida Sand Skink	Neoseps species
Solomon Isle Skink	Tribolonotus species
In the following families, only the indicated species require permits:
Teiids	Tegus
Earless Teiid	Bachia species
Desert Tegu	Dicrodon species
Rough Teiid	Echinosaura species
Spectacled Teiid	Gymnophthalmus species
Brown Water Teiid	Neusticurus species
Snake Teiid	Ophiognomon species
Worm Teiid	Scolecosaurus species
In the following families, only the indicated species require permits:
Xantusids	Night Lizards
Utah Night Lizard	Xanthusa virgilis utahensisspecies

 

Snakes:
Top

All of the families listed do not require permits.   Species listed in red are exceptions, and REQUIRE a permit.
Uropeltidae	Short-Tailed Snakes
Xenopeltidae	Sunbeam Snakes
Typhlopidae	Blind Worm Snakes
Leptotyphlopidae	Slender Blind Snakes
Anomalepididae	Blind Snakes
Boidae	Boas, Pythons, Anacondas
- except Emerald Tree Boa	Corallus caninus species
- except African Rock Python	Python sebae species
- except Reticulated Python	Python reticulas species
- except Green Tree Python	Chondropython species
- except Anaconda	Eunectes species
Garter and Ribbon Snakes	Thamnophis species
-except Two-striped Garter	T. elegans hammondi
-except San Francisco Garter	T. sirtalis tetrataenis species
Water Snakes	Nerodia {Natrix} species
North American Rat Snakes	Elaphe species
-except Black Ratsnake	E. obsoleta obsoleta species
Asian Rat Snakes	Bogertophis, Elaphe, Ptyas, Zaocys species
Tropical Rat Snakes	Spilotes species
King and Milk Snakes	Lampropheltis species
Gopher and Pine Snakes	Pituophis species
Green Snakes	Opheodrys species
Glossy Snakes	Arizona species
Ground Snakes	Sonora species
Diadem Snakes	Spalerosophis species
House Snakes	Boaedon/Lamprophis species
Texas Indigo Snakes	Drymarchon corais erebennus species
Brown and Redbelly Snakes	Storeria dekayi species
Western Hognose Snake	Heterodon nasicus species

 

Turtles & Tortoises:
Top

Only the indicated species require permits:
Blandings Turtle	Emydoidea blandingi species
Red Bellied Turtle	Chrysemys rubriventris species
Diamondback Terrapin	Malaclemys terrapin species
Bog, Spotted, Wood Turtle	Clemmys species
- except Pacific Wood turtle	C. marmorata species
Eastern Box Turtle**	Terrapene carolina carolina species
Gopher Tortoise	Gopherus species
Pancake Tortoise	Malacochersus tornieri
Argentina Tortoise	Geochelone chilensis

 

New Hampshire Herptile Regulations

The following information is exerpted from the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department website (http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Nongame/RAARP/herp_rules.htm). Please note that only reptile & amphibian information has been provided. Please refer to the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department site for the full regulation text.

For the full text of the Administrative Rules as recorded with the State Of New Hampshire Office Of Legislative Service, click: CHAPTER Fis 800  THE IMPORTATION, POSSESSION AND USE OF ALL WILDLIFE

Possession

Possession includes the keeping, holding, or restricting of wildlife as defined in RSA 207:1.  Includes eggs or progeny thereof.

The following species shall not be possessed without an appropriate permit: (FIS 804.02; to request a permit see instructions under FIS 804.04)
NOTE: No permit to possess shall be issued if there is any disease, genetic, ecological, environmental, health, safety or welfare risks to the public or other wildlife species.

• All venomous reptiles (including specimens where venom glands have been removed)
• All alligators and crocodiles
• The following reptiles and amphibians:

Amphibians
Marbled salamander	Ambystoma opacum
Fowler’s toad	Bufo fowleri
Northern leopard frog	Rana pipiens
Jefferson salamander	Ambystoma jeffersonianum
Blue-spotted salamander	Ambystoma laterale
Jefferson X blue-spotted salamander hybrids	Ambystoma jeffersonianum X laterale
Spring salamander	Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
Four-toed salamander	Hemidactylium scutatum
Northern slimy salamander	Plethodon glutinosus
Common Mudpuppy	Necturus maculosus

 

Reptiles
All venomous reptiles
Blanding's turtles	Emydoidea blandingii
Eastern box turtles	Terrapene carolina carolina
Spotted turtles	Clemmys guttata
Wood turtles	Glyptemys insculpta
Black racer	Coluber constrictor
Eastern hognose snake	Heterodon platirhinos
Smooth green snake	Opheodrys vernalis
Ribbon snake	Thamnophis sauritus

• Up to 5 specimens of the following species may be possessed without a permit

[NOTE: Although limited possession of these species are currently legal in NH, the NH Fish & Game Department encourages people to leave wildlife wild and seek captive-bred sources of common non-native species if pets are desired]

Amphibians
American toad	Bufo americanus
Gray treefrog	Hyla versicolor
Spring peeper	Pseudacris crucifer
American bullfrog	Rana catesbeiana
Green frog	Rana clamitans
Pickerel frog	Rana palustris
Mink frog	Rana septentrionalis
Wood frog	Rana sylvatica
Spotted salamander	Ambystoma maculatum
Northern two-lined salamander	Eurycea bislineata
Northern dusky salamander	Desmognathus fuscus
Eastern red-backed salamander	Plethodon cinereus
Red-spotted newt	Notophthalmus viridescens

• Up to 2 specimens of the following species may be possessed without a permit

[NOTE: Although limited possession of these species are currently legal in NH, the NH Fish & Game Department encourages people to leave wildlife wild and seek captive-bred sources of common non-native species if pets are desired. Populations of some species, especially turtles, can be adversely affected by the removal of a small number of individuals.]

Reptiles
Musk turtle	Sternotherus odoratus
Painted turtle	Chrysemys picta
Snapping turtle	Chelydra serpentina
Ring-necked snake	Diadophis punctatus
Eastern milksnake	Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
Northern watersnake	Nerodia sipedon
Brown snake	Storeria dekayi
Red-bellied snake	Storeria occipitomaculata
Garter snake	Thamnophis sirtalis

 

Sale (FIS 811.01)

No person shall sell indigenous species of reptiles or amphibians (listed below), including parts or eggs thereof:

Amphibians
American toad	Bufo americanus
Fowler’s toad	Bufo fowleri
Gray treefrog	Hyla versicolor
Spring peeper	Pseudacris crucifer
American bullfrog	Rana catesbeiana
Green frog	Rana clamitans
Pickerel frog	Rana palustris
Northern leopard frog	Rana pipiens
Mink frog	Rana septentrionalis
Wood frog	Rana sylvatica
Jefferson salamander	Ambystoma jeffersonianum
Blue-spotted salamander	Ambystoma laterale
Jefferson X blue-spotted salamander hybrids	Ambystoma jeffersonianum X laterale
Spotted salamander	Ambystoma maculatum
Marbled salamander	Ambystoma opacum
Northern two-lined salamander	Eurycea bislineata
Northern dusky salamander	Desmognathus fuscus
Spring salamander	Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
Four-toed salamander	Hemidactylium scutatum
Eastern red-backed salamander	Plethodon cinereus
Northern slimy salamander	Plethodon glutinosus
Common Mudpuppy	Necturus maculosus
Red-spotted newt	Notophthalmus viridescens

 

Reptiles
Timber rattlesnake	Crotalus horridus
Blanding's turtles	Emydoidea blandingii
Eastern box turtles	Terrapene carolina carolina
Spotted turtles	Clemmys guttata
Wood turtles	Glyptemys insculpta
Musk turtle	Sternotherus odoratus
Painted turtle	Chrysemys picta
Snapping turtle	Chelydra serpentina
Black racer	Coluber constrictor
Ring-necked snake	Diadophis punctatus
Eastern hognose snake	Heterodon platirhinos
Eastern milksnake	Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
Northern watersnake	Nerodia sipedon
Smooth greensnake	Opheodrys vernalis
Brown snake	Storeria dekayi
Red-bellied snake	Storeria occipitomaculata
Ribbon snake	Thamnophis sauritus
Garter snake	Thamnophis sirtalis

EXCEPTIONS (Sale allowed):

• Non-living snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) and bull frogs (Rana catesbeiana) raised outside the state which may be possessed, bought and sold for use as food provided that with each package there shall be a bill of sale bearing the species, the weight of the package and the place of origin.

• Certain non-living indigenous amphibians and reptiles listed below (also listed in Table 800.2 for category one) obtained outside the state to be used for educational purposes (e.g., biosupply companies selling frozen specimens to schools for dissection).

Amphibians
American toad	Bufo americanus
Gray treefrog	Hyla versicolor
Spring peeper	Pseudacris crucifer
American bullfrog	Rana catesbeiana
Green frog	Rana clamitans
Pickerel frog	Rana palustris
Mink frog	Rana septentrionalis
Wood frog	Rana sylvatica
Spotted salamander	Ambystoma maculatum
Northern two-lined salamander	Eurycea bislineata
Northern dusky salamander	Desmognathus fuscus
Eastern red-backed salamander	Plethodon cinereus
Red-spotted newt	Notophthalmus viridescens

 

Reptiles
Musk turtle	Sternotherus odoratus
Painted turtle	Chrysemys picta
Snapping turtle	Chelydra serpentina
Ring-necked snake	Diadophis punctatus
Eastern milksnake	Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
Northern watersnake	Nerodia sipedon
Brown snake	Storeria dekayi
Red-bellied snake	Storeria occipitomaculata
Garter snake	Thamnophis sirtalis

 

Importation

A permit shall be required to import (FIS 803.03; to request a permit see instructions under FIS 803.13) the following:

• Alligators and Crocodiles
• All venomous reptiles (including specimens where venom glands have been removed)
• All indigenous amphibians and reptiles listed below:

Amphibians
American toad	Bufo americanus
Fowler’s toad	Bufo fowleri
Gray treefrog	Hyla versicolor
Spring peeper	Pseudacris crucifer
American bullfrog	Rana catesbeiana
Green frog	Rana clamitans
Pickerel frog	Rana palustris
Northern leopard frog	Rana pipiens
Mink frog	Rana septentrionalis
Wood frog	Rana sylvatica
Jefferson salamander	Ambystoma jeffersonianum
Blue-spotted salamander	Ambystoma laterale
Jefferson X blue-spotted salamander hybrids	Ambystoma jeffersonianum X laterale
Spotted salamander	Ambystoma maculatum
Marbled salamander	Ambystoma opacum
Northern two-lined salamander	Eurycea bislineata
Northern dusky salamander	Desmognathus fuscus
Spring salamander	Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
Four-toed salamander	Hemidactylium scutatum
Eastern red-backed salamander	Plethodon cinereus
Northern slimy salamander	Plethodon glutinosus
Common Mudpuppy	Necturus maculosus
Red-spotted newt	Notophthalmus viridescens

 

Reptiles
Timber rattlesnake	Crotalus horridus
Blanding's turtles	Emydoidea blandingii
Eastern box turtles	Terrapene carolina carolina
Spotted turtles	Clemmys guttata
Wood turtles	Glyptemys insculpta
Musk turtle	Sternotherus odoratus
Painted turtle	Chrysemys picta
Snapping turtle	Chelydra serpentina
Black racer	Coluber constrictor
Ring-necked snake	Diadophis punctatus
Eastern hognose snake	Heterodon platirhinos
Eastern milksnake	Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
Northern watersnake	Nerodia sipedon
Smooth greensnake	Opheodrys vernalis
Brown snake	Storeria dekayi
Red-bellied snake	Storeria occipitomaculata
Ribbon snake	Thamnophis sauritus
Garter snake	Thamnophis sirtalis

EXCEPTIONS: Non-living members of the following species may be imported without a permit:

Amphibians
American toad	Bufo americanus
Gray treefrog	Hyla versicolor
Spring peeper	Pseudacris crucifer
American bullfrog	Rana catesbeiana
Green frog	Rana clamitans
Pickerel frog	Rana palustris
Mink frog	Rana septentrionalis
Wood frog	Rana sylvatica
Spotted salamander	Ambystoma maculatum
Northern two-lined salamander	Eurycea bislineata
Northern dusky salamander	Desmognathus fuscus
Eastern red-backed salamander	Plethodon cinereus
Red-spotted newt	Notophthalmus viridescens

 

Reptiles
Musk turtle	Sternotherus odoratus
Painted turtle	Chrysemys picta
Snapping turtle	Chelydra serpentina
Ring-necked snake	Diadophis punctatus
Eastern milksnake	Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
Northern watersnake	Nerodia sipedon
Brown snake	Storeria dekayi
Red-bellied snake	Storeria occipitomaculata
Garter snake	Thamnophis sirtalis

 

Release

It is illegal to release the following species in NH (FIS 805):

• All amphibians and reptiles imported into the state
• All exotic amphibians and reptiles

Water gardens and Outdoor ponds (FIS 804.0.9, 805):
Reptiles and amphibians including tadpoles originating outside of New Hampshire (including but not limited to internet and in-person purchases from water garden suppliers, reptile and amphibian distributors, biological supply companies, and pet stores importing specimens from out-of-state) must be caged or enclosed, and therefore can not be released to outdoor environments, including pools and ponds, in New Hampshire.

Reptile Rules – Other

• No person shall take or possess at any time a spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), or black racer (Coluber constrictor) or any egg or part thereof.
• No person shall take any species of indigenous turtle from May 15 to July 15.

[In addition to species listed above that are restricted year-round (Blanding’s, spotted, wood, and box turtles), this rule includes painted turtles, common snapping turtles, and musk turtles]

Definition of ‘Take’– (RSA 207:1)
Includes pursuing, shooting, hunting, killing, capturing, trapping, snaring, and netting wildlife, and all lesser acts, such as disturbing, harrying, worrying, wounding, or placing, setting, drawing, or using any net or other device commonly used to take wildlife, whether they result in taking or not, and includes every attempt to take and every act of assistance to every other person in taking or attempting to take wildlife, provided that whenever taking is allowed by law, reference is had to taking by lawful means and in lawful manner.

Also, see RSA 212-A (click here) for rules pertaining to threatened and endangered species.

Rhode Island Herptile Regulations

The following information is exerpted from the Rhode Island Department of Fish and Wildlife website (http://sos.ri.gov/documents/archives/regdocs/released/pdf/DEM/6560.pdf). Please note that only reptile & amphibian information has been provided. Please refer to the Rhode Island Department of Fish and Wildlife site for the full regulation text.

HUNTING REGULATIONS

PART XII
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

12.1 The removal from the wild, for any purposes, of any reptile or amphibian (except bullfrogs, green frogs, and snapping turtles) to include their nests and eggs is prohibited except by special permit. The taking of snapping turtles at any time is limited to the following methods: turtle traps, snagging, snaring, grabbing, jugging, bow and arrow, or while legally fishing. Turtle traps must have a metal tag attached, which, at a minimum, bears the trapper's name and address. Jugs must be marked indelibly with name and address of trapper. The taking of snapping turtles for commercial purposes is prohibited except by special permit.

12.2 The following species of reptiles and amphibians to include their nests and eggs are protected and possession without permit is prohibited at all times: Timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus; northern diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin; wood turtle, Clemmys insculpta; eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina; spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata; and bog turtle, Clemmys muhlenbergi.

12.3 The release into the wild of any non-native reptile or amphibian is prohibited.

Vermont Herptile Regulations

The following information is exerpted from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website (http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/importation_pets.cfm). Please note that only reptile & amphibian information has been provided. Please refer to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department site for the full regulation text.

 

Importing and Possessing Pets and Animals in Vermont

Any person within the state of Vermont interested in purchasing, importing, or possessing a pet or animal (except fish) must determine whether that pet or animal species first requires an Importation and Possession Permit from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Effective January 23, 2008, a new regulation, regulation 10 V.S.A. App. § 18  establishes a list of Domestic Species and Unrestricted Wild Animals for which no state Importation and Possession Permit is required by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Species not listed as Domestic or Unrestricted Wild Animals will continue to require an importation and possession permit.

Individuals, educational institutions, or research facilities seeking to import or collect animals for the purposes of education or bona fide research must first obtain a Scientific Collection Permit. Individuals conducting any research or field activity that may result in the pursuit, capture, disturbance, handling, injury, death, or importation of any State threatened and endangered species are required to first obtain an Endangered Species Permit.

Importation and Possession Permit: Newly adopted Regulation #881 provides clear guidelines on the importation and possession requirements for all pet stores, dealers in wildlife, hobbyists, and prospective pet owners. These are intended to provide the public with current Department guidelines that identify which species are allowed to be imported and possessed without a permit and which species an individual or business must first obtain an importation and possession permit.

Many wildlife species are designated as Unrestricted Reptiles & Amphibians. Descriptions and lists of species are provided below. Species' designations are generally based upon the following criteria as to whether the species is:

• Capable of competing with native wildlife species
• A risk of transmitting diseases to native wildlife species
• A threat to human health and safety
• Threatened in other regions by collecting for the pet trade

Species not listed as Unrestricted Wild Animals below require an Importation and Possession Permit, which may or may not be granted depending upon specific circumstances or conditions.

Unrestricted Reptile & Amphibian List: No Importation and Possession Permit is needed to import and possess these species into the state. These species have been designated as Unrestricted based on the fact that the species satisfy none of the criteria listed above. Those species listed as Exemptions in the Appendix: Exceptions to List do require an Importation and Possession Permit from the Department.

Permit applications can be obtained from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Agency of Natural Resources, 103 South Main Street, 10 South, Waterbury, VT 05671-0501. Their telephone number is: (802) 241-3700.

Click link to navigate to a specific section of the list:

Unrestricted Reptile & Amphibian List

* Taxonomy by animal groups defined by the following: Univ. of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web (www.animaldiversity.unmz.umich.edu/site/index.html)

 

Appendix: Exceptions to Unrestricted Reptile & Amphibian List
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Species below are exceptions to the Unrestricted Wild Animal List status and require an importation and possession permit

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