Corn snakes are now illegal in Vermont

[danvega]

I just received a notice from the Vermont department of natural resources notifying me of a new law that is effective on January 24, 2008 which bans the possession or sale of corn snakes without a permit. It is interesting that many other varieties of pet snakes are allowed, but corn snakes are not on the allowed list.

I'm not really sure why they sent you a notice stating corns were illegal, because according to those links--all colubrids, with the exception of those listed in the appendix/exception list, are considered unrestricted wild animals that do not need a permit. The closest to a corn that would need a permit is Elaphe obsoleta. As for the dealer's permit, it does not cost anything other than filling out the form.

 

[Cornsnake124]

That is really stupid of the vermont DNR to ban cornsnakes. There is no reason.

 

[moreptiles]

FYI, the email also came with an attached letter. I copied and pasted the letter below.

Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife
271 North Main St, Suite 215
Department of Fish and Wildlife Rutland, VT 05701-2423
Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation Tel: (802) 786 - 3862
Department of Environmental Conservation FAX: (802) 786 - 3870
State Geologist
Natural Resources Conservation Council
January 24, 2008


To: Vermont Retail and Wholesale Pet Dealers

RE: Vermont’s new regulation regarding the importation and possession of wild birds and animals


Effective January 24, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will be acting under recently adopted regulations concerning the sale and trade of wild animals (excluding fish). The new regulation is the product of a multiple-year process involving significant public input, especially from pet merchants throughout the state.

As of this date, all commercial dealers in Vermont, including, but not limited to pet shop owners, persons raising frogs for sale as institutional experimental animals, and all persons who import, export, and/or sell wild birds and animals must first obtain a valid Dealer’s Permit from the Department. The application form for Commercial Wildlife Dealer’s Permit is available on the Department’s website at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

In addition, only those animals listed either as Domestic or on the Unrestricted Wild Animals list will be able to be imported and possessed in the state of Vermont without first obtaining a valid Importation and Possession Permit from the Department. The listing of Domestic and Unrestricted Wild Animals is available on the Department’s website listed above. Any persons/businesses interested in importing and possessing any other species of wild animal in Vermont must first obtain a permit from the Department.

Wild Animals are defined as all animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, excluding those listed as Domestic under the rule. Included in this definition is any part, product, egg, offspring, dead body, or part of the dead body of any such wildlife. Wildlife includes all subspecies of wildlife and any other group of wildlife of the same species, the members of which may interbreed when mature, including any hybrid species except wolf-hybrids. Wild animals taken or possessed as pets or reared in captivity remain wild animals are not defined as domestic or tame animals.

For more information on the new regulation, its accompanying lists of Domestic and Unrestricted Wild Animals, and application forms, visit http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com under Items of Special Interest.

 

[Cornsnake124]

Again, That was stupid of the D.N.R

 

[moreptiles]

Josh, I agree with your interpretation on the colubrids, but according to the letter, in order for someone in VT to import a corn snake, which may be the same thing as purchasing one from me, they must first get a dealers license. Is this how everyone else sees it? As I read it, I do not need the license because I am not in Vermont, but someone buying one from me is technically importing the snake.

Or does this only apply to a distributor who is reselling the animal?

Mark

 

[midnightgallop]

forgive me if I've overlooked something, but the only snake it lists for the "permit needed" list seems to be the black rat snake. If it meant corn snake, they would have listed that separately. Maybe I am just getting confused now.
Also, Mark, I think you're right. I don't think you do not need a permit because you do not live in vermont. However, if a Vermonter bought a snake from you, they would be the importer and would need to obtain a permit. Either way, they could still order a corn from you because only the black rat snake appears to be the one that requires a permit. This is how I understand it all. Sorry if it's wrong.

 

[joshlewis]

Mark,

I think I see where you might get that idea. The part that says,

"As of this date, all commercial dealers in Vermont, including, but not limited to pet shop owners, persons raising frogs for sale as institutional experimental animals, and all persons who import, export, and/or sell wild birds and animals must first obtain a valid Dealer’s Permit from the Department."

could be interpreted as applying only to commercial dealers or any person who imports. I took it as only applying to dealers, but either way I don't think it matters on the basis that corn snakes are unrestricted therefore don't require import/possession permits and only dealers would require a Dealers permit per the next paragraph that reads,

"In addition, only those animals listed either as Domestic or on the Unrestricted Wild Animals list will be able to be imported and possessed in the state of Vermont without first obtaining a valid Importation and Possession Permit from the Department.".

As I interpret both the website and the letter you posted; VT residents would need a permit to import/possess Elaphe obsoleta as it is listed in the Unrestricted Wild Animals Appendix as an exception to the all colubrid rule. While the Appendix lists the common name of Elaphe obsoleta as N. American/ Eastern Ratsnake and therefore some might say that applies to corn snakes - but that is not an argument for a NOOB like me. Plus the Appendix does restrict several colubrids species by denoting All Species (like garter and ribbon snakes).

Just my 2 cents,

Josh

 

[tricksterpup]

This how I view it.. so many different views and responses to this information.

I think this importation law is for Businesses only, but mind you I think they are placing a regulation for reptile owners to have a permit to own a snake. Very much like St. Paul Minnesota and other cities in the area. You are required to have a permit for your animal, kinda like a dog license.

Importing and Possessing Pets and Animals in Vermont

See also the Commercial Importation, Possession, and Sale of Pets and Animals in Vermont Page

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 #881) 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.

Why Restrict Animal Importation?

The collection, movement, and sale of animals around the globe and throughout the United States have resulted in serious impacts to wildlife populations through introducing diseases or exotic species that compete with native animals. The collection of some species for the purposes of the animal trade is so great that, in some cases, it threatens the wild populations. Lastly, many of the animals are dangerous and simply a threat to human health and safety.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has statutory authority to restrict the importation and possession of animals in order to guard against the above threats to the public and the state's wildlife. The Department views these efforts as vital to meeting its conservation mission.

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, ranging from mammals to invertebrates are designated as Domestic or Unrestricted Wild Animals. Descriptions and lists of species under each category 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 Domestic or Unrestricted Wild Animals below require an Importation and Possession Permit, which may or may not be granted depending upon specific circumstances or conditions.

Domestic Species: These species are exempt from Regulation #881 and do not require an Importation and Possession Permit from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. It is recommended that persons also review Title 6 V.S.A. 1151 for Vermont Department of Agriculture laws.

Unrestricted Wild Animals: 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 of the Unrestricted Wild Animals List do require an Importation and Possession Permit from the Department.

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

Businesses and persons interested in submitting an Application for Importation and Possession Permit must complete the application form accompanied with the application fee of $100.00 to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department PRIOR to importing and possessing the pet or wild animal.

I think the title of that permit says it all, its a Possession Permit. And I think many states are going this route as well. Texas is still trying to figure things out and now Vermont. Watch, in 10 years time, you will be required by 90% of all states to own a Boid, you will need a permit.

 

[Vinman]

Here in Israel they threaten to do the same under the reasoning that they might invade the country as a foreign species if released- endangering the wildlife here.

It makes sense to a degree, but I think that banning modern morph-corns is silly- albinos, snows, blizzards, redbloods et cetera have lost any camouflage capabilities, I doubt they will manage to get far without being challenged by a stray cat.

belive it or not they are right corn snakes are mostly nocturnal and spend most of there life under the ground in most of their range