Florida ROC Laws take effect Jan. 1, 2008

[CraigC]

I was seaching something and ran across the finalized laws that become effective the first of the year, on the FWC website.

Reptiles of Concern

Reptiles of Concern (ROCs) are non-native reptile species that have the potential to become established in Florida and can threaten native wildlife, cause economic damage or pose a threat to human safety. Rules for Reptiles of Concern (ROCs) go into effect on January 1, 2008. ROCs require a $100 annual permit for personal possession, and any ROC that is 2 inches or greater in diameter must be permanently identified by a microchip (also called a PIT tag). Microchips can be implanted by local veterinarians who work with non-native species. Any person who possesses an ROC that is 2 inches or greater in diameter before January 1, 2008 will have until July 1, 2008 to get their animal microchipped. Any ROC greater than 2 inches in diameter purchased after January 1, 2008 will need to be microchipped immediately. The following are the Reptiles of Concern:

Burmese python (Python molurus)
African rock python (Python sebae)
Amethystine python (Morelia amethystinus)
Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)
Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)

This was to be expected, but they also changed the rules for Class III animals.

Class III Wildlife

Class III species require a permit for personal possession or for exhibition and sale of those species. Class III wildlife are all species that are not listed as Class I or Class II, and not among those species that are specifically listed as not requiring a permit for personal possession. There is no formal list of Class III species, so people must check the lists of Class I, Class II, and species not requiring a permit to determine if an animal in question is a Class III species and thus requires a permit. Florida residents 16 years and older may apply for a no-cost permit to possess Class III wildlife as personal pets. Also, a special permit is needed to import from another state leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis), African spurred tortoises (G. sulcata) or Bell’s hingeback tortoises (Kinixys belliana).

This means that if your snake/reptile isn't on Class I or Class II (and you have either permit), or non permit required lists you have to have a permit. You must be 16 and get a Class III permit to keep most snakes now. Before it was only required for exhibition or sale.

Here is the link to the whole text.
FWC: Non-natives: Rules & Regulations

Interesting. I wonder how this will affect Pet Shops and retile shows.

Craig

[jvillereptile]

Wildlife Not Requiring a Permit
The following species do not require a permit for personal possession as long as no other Rule or Statute applies, such as Rules for Threatened or Endangered Species:

Reptiles, amphibians (nonvenomous native species that are not listed as endangered, threatened, or species of concern; nonvenomous non-native species that are not listed as Reptiles of Concern or Conditional Species)

[CraigC]

Should have said exotics that require CITES for import, my bad.

Craig

[ja-rod4545]

The annual permit cost sucks, but it would be kinda cool if your snake was to get loose and it had a microchip if they can track it.

[LukaTisus]

With the amount of burms in the 'Glades right now, I think it's a good idea. If someone decides to just set their snake loose and it's caught, it can get identified and the owner held responsible.. (unless it DID just escape, then the owner gets his snake back.) It's a precaution, really.. there's too many illegitimate people out there that buy snakes, and just decide they're not worth keeping once they get past that 'small and cute' stage. The permit, and requiring the microchip, I think, would single out people just spontaneously buying a snake, and show more initiative from the ones who actually want to keep it it's whole life.

I hope this makes sense... it's my POV, and I'm half asleep. Time-change messed my internal clock right up.

[John_E_Dove]

Originally Posted by ja-rod4545

The annual permit cost sucks, but it would be kinda cool if your snake was to get loose and it had a microchip if they can track it.

If that were to occur the odds are pretty good they would fine you, yank your permit(s) and confiscate that animal and any others you are permitted for.
I know they have yanked the permits from venomous keepers who have been bitten; I imagine they would follow that same policy for someone whose ROC escapes.

[ja-rod4545]

that makes perfectly good sense to me, it would kinda filter out some of the unresponsible owners out there

[ja-rod4545]

Originally Posted by John_E_Dove

If that were to occur the odds are pretty good they would fine you, yank your permit(s) and confiscate that animal and any others you are permitted for.
I know they have yanked the permits from venomous keepers who have been bitten; I imagine they would follow that same policy for someone whose ROC escapes.

That makes sense also, i didnt think about that.

[CraigC]

Folks, my point is that many " Pet Stores" that offer ROC animals will nolonger be able to do so. We all know that these stores don't care for the animals correctly. Now they can't sell to un-permited prople. I think the trade in "giants", at least in Florida will be curtailed at that level. No more selling to kids.

Craig

[Reptscue]

Originally Posted by ja-rod4545

...but it would be kinda cool if your snake was to get loose and it had a microchip if they can track it.

The microchip is not a tracking device... just a national registry for ownership.