State Laws on Owning Venomous Snakes as Pets

Venomous snakes are fascinating pets, but their bite can be deadly unless the right antivenom is administered. They can pose a major health risk to their owners and the wider public should they ever escape. That’s why there are detailed state laws on the ownership of poisonous snakes.

In most states, it is legal to catch and keep venomous snakes as pets with a permit. In other states, it is entirely illegal to own them. Also, there are some endangered species that are protected by the law. There are laws on breeding, importing, and exporting venomous snakes.

It is vital that you check local municipal and county law to make sure that you comply with those laws. Certain cities ban venomous snakes outright, while it’s legal to own them in the state. The law varies significantly depending on what part of America you live in.

Is It Legal To Own Venomous Snakes in America?

In every state, the legality of owning certain wild or dangerous animals is regulated. And in most states, these laws pertain to venomous snakes as well as other animals.

Most states require that you purchase a yearly permit in the way you would buy a hunting license. However, in other states, it is illegal.

There are also federal laws related to wildlife that must be adhered to. No federal law says what kind of snake you can own, but how you catch, breed or sell them is regulated.

Venomous Snake Laws by State

Before we dive into the laws in each state, please do bear in mind that these are summations of relevant laws.

To check whether owning a venomous snake is fully legal where you live, you should also check county or municipal law to ensure that you are not breaking those laws.

Alabama

Under ALA. ADMIN CODE r. 220-2-.26, it is unlawful to possess any non-indigenous venomous reptile without a permit.

Black pine snakes, eastern indigo snakes, eastern coachwhip snakes, Florida pine snakes, Gulf salt marsh snakes, and southern hognose snakes cannot be caught or killed, with a permit or otherwise.

Alaska

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, it is illegal to hold any wild species as a pet. A permit is required to possess an exotic venomous snake.

Arizona

Under R12-4-406. Restricted Live Wildlife, it is illegal for anybody to own a venomous snake in Arizona without a permit. This includes elapids, vipers, sea snakes, boomslangs, and asps.

Arkansas

No permit is required to own native or exotic venomous snakes in Arkansas.

California

Under CAL. CODE REGS. Tit. 14, §671 and §671.1, it is unlawful to possess what are considered wild animals.

This prevents you from catching and keeping venomous snakes without a permit. However, keeping live, native rattlesnakes is not prohibited by fish and game laws, permit or otherwise.

Colorado

Under the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Regulations, 2 CCR 406-8., Chapter 11 (Wildlife Parks and Unregulated Wildlife), it is legal to own a venomous snake in Colorado provided that you have a permit.

A similar requirement applies if you want to import or export a venomous snake. You must apply each year to keep your permit up to date.

Connecticut

Under CONN. GEN. STAT. §26-40a and §26-55, it is illegal to possess potentially dangerous animals. However, venomous snakes are not listed under the law’s definition of ‘dangerous animal.’ You can apply for a permit to keep one, although it will most likely be denied.

Delaware

Under DEL. CODE ANN tit. 3, §7201, §7202, and §7203, it is entirely illegal to keep venomous snakes.

While you can keep wild animals, reptiles included, with a permit this does not extend to “any poisonous snake not native to or generally found in Delaware where the venom of such snake poses a risk of serious injury or death to a human, and no permit for the same shall be issued by the Department of Agriculture.”

Is it legal to own venomous snakes?

Florida

In Florida, it is legal to own a venomous snake provided that you have a permit. Owners need 1000 hours+ experience with venomous reptiles, and must also provide two reference letters from existing license holders.

Georgia

Georgia’s odd laws concerning keeping snakes mean that it is illegal to keep nonvenomous snakes like corn snakes, garter snakes, etc.

However, it’s legal to own venomous snakes, like rattlesnakes and copperheads. They are classed as exotic venomous animals, for which you can acquire a permit, while nonvenomous species are outlawed.

Hawaii

Under HAW. ADMIN. RULES §4-71-5, it is illegal to import or possess any exotic animals, venomous or not.

The purpose of this law is to protect Hawaii’s ecology—there are no native amphibians or snakes in Hawaii, and if any were introduced, they could easily kill many unique native species. Even parasites from exotic pets could cause untold damage.

Idaho

Under IDAHO ADMIN CODE §02.04.27, private possession of “deleterious” wild animals is forbidden without a permit. This includes venomous snakes.

Illinois

Under P.A. 98-752, § 1-1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015, it is held to be illegal for any private individual to own a venomous reptile. The only exception is for bona fide educational programs, for which a permit is required.

Indiana

Under IND. CODE ANN. §14-22-26-1-§14-22-26-6., a person who possesses a wild animal must have a permit for each animal. This includes venomous reptiles, which are considered Class III wild and dangerous animals.

Iowa

Under IOWA CODE ANN §717F.1-.13, it is illegal to possess or breed any “dangerous wild animal.” This includes any “…member of the family Elapidae, Viperidae, Crotalidae, Atractaspidae, or Hydrophidae which are venomous, including but not limited to cobras, mambas, coral snakes, kraits, adders, vipers, rattlesnakes, copperheads, pit vipers, keelbacks, cottonmouths, and sea snakes.”

Kansas

Under KAN. STAT. ANN §32-1301-32-1312, it is illegal to possess or breed any dangerous regulated animal. This includes venomous snakes. Only anybody licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and hold a particular license is exempt, as are zoos, aquariums, and research institutions.

Kentucky

Under 301 KY. ADMIN. REGS. 2:082, it’s illegal to possess any “inherently dangerous wildlife.” This includes large animals like alligators, bears, and elephants, but also applies to “venomous exotic snakes of the families Viperidae, Atractaspididae, Elapidae, and Colubridae, except for hognose snakes (genus Heterodon).”

Louisiana

Under LA. ADMIN. CODE tit. 76, §115; Part XV §101, it is illegal to own a venomous snake without a permit. It’s also illegal to own any snake that’s longer than 12 feet without a permit.

Maine

Under ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 12 § 7235-A, it is legal to own any wild animal subject to permit.

Maryland

In Maryland, you need a permit if you want to keep a native reptile or amphibian.

Massachusetts

Under 321 CMR 9.00: Exemption List, all venomous snakes require a permit. Under this list, various nonvenomous snakes may be kept as a pet without a permit, including kingsnakes, gopher snakes, garter snakes, etc.

Michigan

Under MICH. COMP. LAWS §287.731, it is clearly defined which animals cannot be kept as pets. These are large cats (i.e., lions and tigers), bears, wolves, and wolf hybrids. According to the law, all animals not specifically listed can be kept provided that the owner has a permit.

Minnesota

MINN. STAT. 346.155 lists various animals considered to be ‘regulated animals,’ which includes big cats, bears, and primates.

However, since snakes are not listed, you can legally keep venomous snakes, provided that you have a permit to do so.

Mississippi

MISS. CODE ANN. §49-8-5 regulates which exotic animals can or cannot be kept in Mississippi. Currently, only animals held to be “inherently dangerous” require a permit.

While snakes are not on this list, lawmakers are trying to add them to it. HB951 proposed to do so but died in committee on Jan. 30th, 2018.

Missouri

Under MO. REV. STAT. §578.023, it’s illegal to keep any “poisonous reptile” without registering the animal with local law enforcement in the county.

Montana

Under MONT. ADMIN. R. §32.3.202, it’s illegal to import an exotic snake into Montana without a one-time permit. However, once inside the state, no permit is required.

Nebraska

Under NEB. REV. STAT. §37-477—the law specifying which animals require a permit—no mention is made of reptiles, venomous or otherwise. You can, therefore, legally keep a venomous snake without a permit.

Nevada

NEV. ADMIN. CODE ch. 503, §110 lists several animals that are illegal to keep, for which a permit cannot be granted.

Listed here are boomslangs, keelbacks, coral snakes, cobras, kraits, mambas pit vipers and true vipers, and Australian elapids. Other snakes may be kept with a permit.

New Hampshire

Under N.H. CODE ADMIN. R Fis §804.01, it is illegal to possess “venomous reptiles,” which includes venomous snakes. No permit may be given to own one. Other non-venomous snakes require a permit.

New Jersey

Under N.J. ADMIN. CODE tit. 7, §25-4.8 and §25-4.9, it is illegal for anybody to own a dangerous species of animal, wild or not. Examples given include coral snakes, cobras, and pit vipers.

New Mexico

It is legal to import and own venomous snakes in New Mexico without a permit.

New York

Under N.Y. ENVTL. CONSERV. §11-0103, it is unlawful to possess any wild animal without a permit. Venomous reptiles, as well as many large constrictors like reticulated pythons and Burmese pythons, are included under the definition of “wild animals.”

North Carolina

Under North Carolina G.S. 14-417 it is unlawful to house any venomous reptile in an enclosure that isn’t sturdy and secure. The enclosure has to be permanent, and have an operable lock. It must be ‘designed to be’ both escape proof and bite proof.

North Dakota

Under N.D. ADMIN. CODE §48.1-09, venomous snakes are considered non-traditional livestock, category 3. As such, you do need a permit to keep one.

Ohio

Under the Ohio Dangerous Wild Animal Act, it’s unlawful to keep certain venomous snakes without a permit. It’s also necessary to keep antivenom for the snake or snakes in question on hand.

These snakes are defined in the Ohio Revised Code 935.01 as elapids, vipers, boomslangs, twig snakes, asps and many non-venomous constrictor snakes.

Oklahoma

Under OKLA. STAT. Tit. 29, §4-107, it is illegal to keep any wildlife either for commercial purposes or as a pet without a permit. You will need a Wildlife Breeder’s License, even if you don’t plan on breeding your snakes.

Oregon

According to the Oregon Department of Wildlife, venomous snakes in Oregon are listed as prohibited species. This includes rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths, cobras, brown tree snakes, puff adders and several other vipers.

These animals may not be imported, exported, traded or owned and there is no permit available except for zoos and research facilities.

Pennsylvania

To legally own a rattlesnake or other venomous snake in Pennsylvania, you’ll need a license.

These licenses (Venomous Snake Permits) can be obtained for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and should be sought before you acquire the snake. The snake would then have to be legally collected from the wild during the open season.

Rhode Island

Venomous snakes may be caught and kept, but again only if you have the correct permit. This right is detailed under the Rules and Regulations Governing Importation and Possession of Exotic Wild Animals.

South Carolina

The law in South Carolina with regards to owning or selling venomous snakes is unclear. While it is illegal to own an exotic animal without first obtaining a license, and while venomous snakes are included under that definition, this law seems very vaguely enforced.

South Carolina is one of the few places in the country where you can find venomous snakes for sale at reptile shows.

South Dakota

You need a permit to catch and keep rattlesnakes in South Dakota. Permits can be obtained from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Tennessee

Under TENN. CODE ANN §70-4-401, §70-4-403, and §70-4-404, it is illegal for anybody to possess or breed ‘Class I wildlife,’ which is a catchall term that refers to venomous, endangered or otherwise inconvenient species to own. This includes all poisonous snakes in Tennessee.

To own Class 1 wildlife, you must be 21, have 2 years’ experience handling the animal, have a full-time resident caretaker for the animal, and have plans in place should the animal get free.

Texas

It’s legal to own venomous snakes in Texas. The permit costs just $20 and is obtainable from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

However, possession of cobras and similar venomous snakes (or snakes over 6 feet in length) is not permissible within Houston city limits, regardless of obtaining a state-wide permit or not.

Utah

In Utah, a permit is required for native and exotic venomous snake species. To obtain one, you need to get written permission from the town or city where the snake will be kept. You then need to apply for a certificate of registration (C.O.R.) permit, and pay $200 to go through a hearing.

The requirements for the hearing are either that you run a zoo or similar facility, an educational facility, a circus or sideshow, or a research facility. If you don’t, then you can’t get a permit. So, while it is possible to get one, you’re likely not to meet their strict requirements.

Vermont

Several laws govern venomous snake ownership in Vermont. To collect native venomous snakes, you’ll need a scientific collection permit.

Exotic venomous snakes require separate importation permits, and protected native venomous snakes need a separate permit still.

Virginia

In Virginia, snakes are classed as non-game species. This means that they are protected under non-game regulations.

While you can’t kill them, you can ‘take’ them from the wild if they are a nuisance (particularly on your property).

Washington

Under WASH. REV. CODE §16-30, it is illegal to own or breed a dangerous animal. Venomous snakes are included within that definition.

West Virginia

You are allowed to keep rattlesnakes in West Virginia, with no permit required for keeping them. However, the legal limit on the number of rattlesnakes you’re allowed to keep is just one.

A West Virginia man faced charges in 2018 for keeping 17 rattlesnakes, far more than the legal limit.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, no permit is required for the keeping of venomous snakes. However, you should check with municipal law to see if they are banned where you live. Janesville, for example, restricts ownership of both venomous and constricting snakes.

Wyoming

Wyoming Statutes Title 23. Game and Fish § 23-1-101 defines any wild animal not native to Wyoming as exotic.

Exotic animals are not prohibited under § 23-1-103., meaning that you don’t need a permit to own exotic snakes. As always, check with local laws before purchasing or catching a venomous snake.

How to Get a License for a Venomous Snake

Just because you can legally obtain a license for a venomous snake, that doesn’t mean that it’s at all easy to do so. Tennessee, for example, has regulations on who can get a license. It’s similar in many states across the country, which means that your application is likely to be rejected.

All you can do is tick every box that they need you to, and prove that you’re a suitable owner. That involves proving that you have a strong enough enclosure, one which has a lock so that they can’t get out, and that you know how to handle them.

Federal Laws on Venomous Snakes

Federal laws don’t necessarily relate to ownership, but they control how you take, transport and keep them.

The Lacey Act and Venomous Snakes

The Lacey Act is a law that makes it illegal to import or export certain animals if they were not caught according to federal, state or foreign law. The Lacey Act is strict and clear, with no permits or certificates available that mean you can violate it.

If you do violate the Lacey Act, you may be charged with civil or criminal sanctions, even if you didn’t know you were breaking the law at the time.

The Endangered Species Act 1973

The Endangered Species Act protects native species by preventing anybody in any state from harassing, killing or taking snakes from the wild. On the list are many protected snakes, which are:

  • The dusky sea snake
  • The Aruba Island rattlesnake
  • The New Mexican ridge-nosed rattlesnake
  • The eastern indigo snake
  • The Maria island snake
  • The Alameda whipsnake
  • The Atlantic salt marsh snake
  • The copperbelly water snake
  • The black pine snake
  • The Louisiana pine snake
  • The eastern massasauga rattlesnake
  • The northern Mexican garter snake
  • The giant garter snake
  • The narrow-headed garter snake
  • The San Francisco garter snake

Several species are also under review, meaning that they may be added shortly. Check to see which snakes are protected in your area.

It’s also necessary to contact the county and municipal authorities in your area to identify which venomous snakes can be kept as pets. Even if it’s legal in your state to own a venomous snake, it may not be in your city.

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Lou Carter

Hi, I'm Lou. I’ve always been fascinated by snakes and reptiles. That’s why I set up snakesforpets.com – to answer every question that you could ever have about snakes as pets (and how they survive in the wild.) I hope that you find this website useful!

1 thought on “State Laws on Owning Venomous Snakes as Pets”

  1. In Maryland you only need a permit to posses more than 4 individuals of specific local species, or are breeding. There is a list. Less than 4, no permit is required, wild caught or otherwise. Venomous are prohibited as pets.

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