Law?

[Zephyr]

The supervisor for our local reptile show says it's illegal to buy, trade, possess, or sell garter snakes and there's a $1000 fine for it here in the states.
Where did she get this from?! I've checked out the laws for the US and for Michigan, and I just can't find anything stating this!
Any one know of anything like this?

[snakeman]

Most states do prohibit any sale of native herps.Sirtilis is native to just about every state.Usually the laws are written ********. so if you are in a state that prohibits the keeping of sirtilis you cannot own any sirtilis.Which includes say the CA redside.Even though it is not native to your state.Bunch of idiots!

[Zephyr]

Most states do prohibit any sale of native herps.Sirtilis is native to just about every state.Usually the laws are written ********. so if you are in a state that prohibits the keeping of sirtilis you cannot own any sirtilis.Which includes say the CA redside.Even though it is not native to your state.Bunch of idiots!

Hmm.
So would Thamnophis elegans or marcianus be excluded here?

[ssssnakeluvr]

depends on where you live as to the laws regarding garters, very few laws on them....some are just dumb..like can't own sirtalis sirtalis when it is one of the most common ones...some are protected in states due to very small ranges...even if the overall range is big..... that person probably don't know what they are talking about......garters are one of the most common snakes around. best thing for you to do is look up on line the state wildlife people and look at state regs.....then you will know exactly what your states laws are.

[Zephyr]

depends on where you live as to the laws regarding garters, very few laws on them....some are just dumb..like can't own sirtalis sirtalis when it is one of the most common ones...some are protected in states due to very small ranges...even if the overall range is big..... that person probably don't know what they are talking about......garters are one of the most common snakes around. best thing for you to do is look up on line the state wildlife people and look at state regs.....then you will know exactly what your states laws are.

I checked with the DNR; there's no legislation regarding garter snakes aside from collection limits, and they don't have jurisdiction over the pet trade anyways...

[infernalis]

Here is where the laws get really "effed up" anyone can kill, chop, mutilate, run over, grind to pulp or shovel ANY garter snake EXCEPT Tetrataenia.

Doubtful that a pet Sirtalis will get you arrested unless the DEC officer has another reason to bust your nuggets.

Show promoters are scared of crossing lines.

They PROHIBIT sales of "bootleg" recordings at any "record/CD show" yet vendors sell piles of them all the time.

[guidofatherof5]

Here is where the laws get really "effed up" anyone can kill, chop, mutilate, run over, grind to pulp or shovel ANY garter snake EXCEPT Tetrataenia.

Radix and Eastern(sirtalis) and Ribbon(proximus) "are afforded no protection in Iowa"
Good thing there are a few of us who do offer them protection.

[drache]

I am not sure how to contribute to this
I don't think that garters are federally illegal to own or trade, other than specific federally protected species
I know nothing about Michigan

[ssssnakeluvr]

the only federally protected species is tetrataenia..... california also protects t gigas, the giant garter, very restricted range, disappearing. Kansas protects checkereds, range overlaps into a small portion of Kansas, Butler's are protected in some states, along with short headed garters.

[Loren]

the only federally protected species is tetrataenia..... california also protects t gigas, the giant garter, very restricted range, disappearing.

Two striped are protected in Ca as well.

As Don said- find your local laws on the actual DNR or state website. Believe only the laws you can find and read with your own 2 eyes. Everyone else is usually mislead/misinformed. Never rely on word of mouth for regulations.

Any keeper of native herps should completely know, and keep up with, their local, state and federal laws on any herps they keep or hope to keep. Sounds like you do try to do this.

I occasionally have people tell me about this law or that law... but it dont mean anything if they cant produce a link. As for the show- well I guess you just wont be able to buy or sell garters there.