New changes to state law could impact some keepers in Alabama. The state however has opened a comment period until August 4th where you can lodge objections. Some of the more important changes to be aware of:

-Makes all king snakes (Lampropeltis spp.) and hybrids illegal to own, breed, and sell without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner. Currently, only Eastern, prairie, and black “speckled” king snakes are listed.
-Makes it illegal to own more than one box turtle (all Terrapene spp.) or sell/trade a box turtle without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner.
-There are other new rules including, but not limited to, additional protected nongame species and Eastern diamondback rattlesnake regulations.

As always, the folks at USARK have made it simple to respond. They have all the contact information and a template here. You can read the full proposal here.

Although it does include a grandfather clause for current owners, the new law passed this week in Raleigh, NC is quite restrictive.

Spurred on by a viral loose spitting cobra last year, the city council passed a new law banning

Under the ordinance, keeping a pet from a species considered a “dangerous wild animal” will be prohibited within city limits.

A “dangerous wild animal” is considered by the city to be “any non-domesticated animal, which is normally found in the wild state, is inherently dangerous to person or property, and which generally does not live in or about the habitation of humans.”

The city’s definition includes “medically significant snakes.” The city defines those as any snake whose venom can cause death, serious illness, or injury. It also includes snakes whose venom would require emergency room care or immediate care of a physician.

The law does include a grandfather clause for current owners of animals this may apply to. You must register your animals before July 1, 2023. However be ready, the law goes into effect in two months!

These are the extensive requirements for the grandfather clause:
- Detailed inventory of animals with descriptions and photo(s) of animals
- Requirement to notify the City when the animal is moved to another location
- Plan for transfer of ownership or destruction if owner can no longer care for the animal
- Maintain health records of the animal
- Proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale
- Certifies that owner will only keep up to 10 medically significant venomous snakes
- Must possess liability insurance
- Will immediately report the escape of any dangerous wild animals in their possession
A criminal background check would also be required to ensure owners don’t have any previous felony charges or convocations of animal abuse.

To read more, visit CBS17

Inset image courtesy of Bob B. Chicago Herpetological Society Rescue Program.

There are several issues that USARK-FL is currently dealing with in Florida that they need the help of Florida Residents.

First up is a rule requiring owners to report all injuries from their animals to the authorities. This opens your medical files to the government and could also be used as violations against you. You can read more about that here This rule is coming up for a vote at the FWC meetings next week. You can learn more about attendance here.

There is also the ongoing issue of the white list and banned animals in Florida. From their most recent alert, which can be read here:

From Kristen Penney Sommers of FWC to USARK FL President Elizabeth Wisneski on June 9, 2022:
"Per our discussion yesterday, the attached list is a repository of species that we have either had risk work completed on, or species that have been suggested to have risk work conducted on. In no way is this the “white list” that your members are claiming. One of the duties of the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife program is to evaluate the risk of species that may be introduced into the state. This spreadsheet is in part documentation of our efforts to address responsibilities to all of the citizens in Florida."
While use of the term "White List" was discouraged by Sommers and other FWC staff at the last "Technical Assistance Group" (TAG) meeting, FWC did introduce the terms "Unrestricted List," "Restricted List," and "Not Allowed List."

If you are a Florida herper, you really need to follow and join USARK-FL to keep abreast of the ever changing legal environment!