Law?

[mtolypetsupply]

If you go to kingsnake.com, there's a link on the homepage for the laws that takes you straight to the laws for your state. Here in NJ, it's one of the very few wildlife species that doesn't even require a permit, believe it or not!!!! Here in NJ they'd charge you for the air you breathe if they could get away with it!

[ssssnakeluvr]

If you go to kingsnake.com, there's a link on the homepage for the laws that takes you straight to the laws for your state. Here in NJ, it's one of the very few wildlife species that doesn't even require a permit, believe it or not!!!! Here in NJ they'd charge you for the air you breathe if they could get away with it!

SSSHHHHH don't give them any ideas!!!!

[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.

[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.

[Sid]

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?

Check this link, Kyle. http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...State#MICHIGAN

In Michigan, the reg is that to posses Garter snkes for commercial use a permit is required.

[infernalis]

I know I have brought this up before, but here it is again.

D.E.C. and code enforcement have been at my house more than once, Code enforcement is clueless, and the game warden was very nice.

I was told [Face to face] that I am not violating any laws or ordinance by keeping Eastern (sirtalis sirtalis) as pets, even though the law says no gathering of native reptiles or amphibians.

The laws were written when people would gather mass quantities of native herps (mostly turtles) and sell them cheaply as disposable pets.

As I stated before, if the ranger REALLY wanted you for something, They could press the issue, and a judge would follow the letter of the law.

But you would have to anger someone FIRST, Look at the number of complaints that got filed about "Stunning blue garters" yet the ads still post frequently

[drache]

my sense is that a lot of these laws were put into place to get people who need to be gotten, and that they're really rather enforced on an "as needed" base - very inconsistently that is

[Stefan-A]

my sense is that a lot of these laws were put into place to get people who need to be gotten, and that they're really rather enforced on an "as needed" base - very inconsistently that is

Maybe. Or maybe they were put in place by people who want to make a statement and who simply don't care about the actual need or the consequences.

[guidofatherof5]

I think your right Rhea. Written because of the greed and stupidity of a few and inforced when the issued comes up on their radar. Don't get me wrong, I understand some of these law were passed soley for conservation and protection of these animals but the Government has a way of making "Blanket Policy" which unfortunately covers the wrong issues.
I have a good working relationship with the local Animal control officers and the State(DNR) officers. I always inform them when I come into possession of something I shouldn't have. At this point it hasn't come back to haunt me, YET.

[infernalis]

On a similar note, I forget the year, but a narcotics law was passed once to bring an end to opium trafficking from the orient through the United States, Lawmakers clustered together Opiates, Cocaine (And derivatives) along with cannabis!

During the sixties and seventies into most of the eighties possession of even a minuscule amount of marijuana would land an individual in a correctional facility doing hard time.

Now it gets an appearance ticket....

I know a guy up the road from me who got caught growing pot, a lot of it.. Never missed a day of work for it.

In summary, the laws may be in writing, but actual "enforcement" and subsequent "punishment" have changed a lot over the years producing a very gray area.

For a giggle, read this, it lists a bunch of nonsense laws that are in place...

Real Funny Dumb Laws in the United States

"A United States federal law makes it illegal to issue a fake Weather Bureau forecast"

Todays forecast is periods of light followed by scattered darkness in the evening (Chevy Chase SNL)