FWC Has New Rules For Owners Of Nonnative Reptiles

Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new rules addressing the importation, breeding, and possession of high-risk invasive reptiles at their February 2021 meeting. Next week Thursday, April 29, they go into effect. The rules pertain to 16 high-risk nonnative reptiles that have been moved to Florida’s Prohibited species list with reporting requirements for owners, biosecurity requirements to prevent escape, and language to clarify limited exceptions for those in possession of green iguanas and tegus for commercial use or as pets. The rules allow the owners to keep them with a no-cost permit. Persons who have any of the reptiles on the list have three months, until July 28, to come into compliance with the new rules and until October 26, to make any necessary upgrades to outdoor caging for these species. List of the species included in the rules: Burmese or Indian python (Python molurus) Reticulated python (Python reticulatus) Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) Northern African python (Python sebae) Southern African python (Python natalensis) Amethystine python (Morelia amethistinus) Scrub python (Morelia kinghorni) Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) Green iguana (Iguana iguana) Tegus (genera Salvator and Tupinambis, all species) This listing includes any live animals, eggs, hybrids, or taxonomic successors. For more information, visit MyFWC.com.