illinois laws

[kaa]

can anyone tell me thew laws in illinois for owning snakes, like how big they can be, banned speicies, or any thing else pertaneing to reptiles
thanks

[Christopho89]

No Hognoses.
No constrictors over 6ft.
No venemous without a permit.
Check Illinois Dnr web page.

[boidubrid]

why no hognoses?

[jgcity2000]

Because they are venomous. Not deadly though, and they would pretty much have to swollow your finger to inject any venom becase they are rear-fanged.

[kaa]

is there a licence i can get for a snake over 6 feet

[boidubrid]

Because they are venomous. Not deadly though, and they would pretty much have to swollow your finger to inject any venom becase they are rear-fanged.yeah i knew that but that should mean no mangrove snakes either right? those are rear fanged....i understand they are venomous but they can barely kill a toad what can they do to hurt a human? itll be like a bee sting for most people...anyway whatever

[mcem]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the reason you cannot have Western hognose in the state is because they are protected in Illinois...I believe you can still have Easterns. Everything Chris said is correct. Also, crocodilians are illegal in the state (not that you would want one but unfortunately too many people have them).

[kaa]

i have a 7 foot boa do i need to get anything to own it

[Christopho89]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the reason you cannot have Western hognose in the state is because they are protected in Illinois...I believe you can still have Easterns. Everything Chris said is correct. Also, crocodilians are illegal in the state (not that you would want one but unfortunately too many people have them).

Sorry, I should have clarified, Eastern Hogs are legal. It's just Western hogs are much more readily available and apparently much easier to keep. Also yeah, no crocidilians without a permit.

About that 6ft constrictor law, I don't think its enforced very well, if at all. My local pet stores have Rtbs in all the time.

[mcem]

I don't think they enforce the size limit either...just don't go broadcasting to everyone what you have.

[rcrowley]

Wow, the misinformation on herp laws in Illinois! Here is the scoop:

Constrictors over 6ft are not allowed to be SOLD by those licensed with an Illinois Dept of Agriculture license (ie pet shop). Private ownership of life threatening reptiles is prohibited in Illinois - no license or permit available. However, there are recognized exceptions to this such as for education, scientific or shelter purposes subject to interpretation by state and local agencies (ie means you need to prove it). The Illinois supreme court ruled under 14ft is not life threatening, but regular law enforcement confuse the pet shop law (6ft) with this. Venemous is always life threatening including venemoids. Hognose are not considered venemous but are a protected species and certain keepers can be issued permits by the Dept of Natural Resources for educational purposes.

Now for the real confusion: this is all state level, not local which can be far more restrictive or even confusing. Oak Park for example bans constrictors intended to ban boa constrictors...but worded wrong. So everything short of a garter snake or dekays is technically illegal (both are not considered constricting snakes).

Still confused? Join the masses.

[Ervinmw]

RCrowley
Thank you for laying it out. I've been under the assumption that all constrictors over 6 feet were banned.

However I have a question. If Private ownership of "life threatening reptiles" is illegal, then why can pet stores sell retics, burms, anacondas ect...?

Thanks again for the info

[rcrowley]

Because those who write the laws are different from those who interepret the laws are different from those who try to live with the laws....

There is no logic behind it. Welcome to the US legal system where case law develops on top of statutory laws.

Some day maybe we can change the laws...for now....we deal with the agony of confusion...

[bigcountry]

does this mean you are going to be selling some of those borneos?

[rcrowley]

Now why would I do that? Hehehehe....

I think my wife may force me to sell some of my babies this year so if you are looking to add let me know.

[bigretic]

Hey Rich, you didn't goto school in C.P., IN by chance, did you?

[rcrowley]

Nope, I am an Illinois Bred and Born.

[Manty]

Yeah, I'm a little slow. So what is the largest/longest your snake can be?

[Ervinmw]

14 feet legally

[Cracker]

it's illegal to keep any native species of snake, or any native wildlife in captivity here. I researched a bit myself on it and you cannot keep any garter snakes, copperheads, moccasins, timber, or prairie rattlesnakes in captivity at all in IL. They're native species here. So far as size and length of constrictors, that's a broad generalization. There's ball pythons that are 5 foot long and weigh 1/4 of what a 5 foot retic weighs. In certain counties it's legal to keep "tropical" arboreal venomous snakes such as the eyelash viper, and wagler's pit viper. Don't ask me why... but it's legal. Ask me how stupid the laws are after you get bit by a wagler's and can't find antivenon.