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Regulated Reptiles in New York State

As of March 15, 2005 New York State increased the list of banned species that private owners are allowed to possess without special permits. Listed below are the current list of regulated animals.

• Snakes
• All venomous species as determined by the DEC
• Burmese Python (Python m. bivittatus)
• Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus)
• African Rock Python (Python sabae)
• Green Anaconda (Eunectes maurinus)
• Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus)
• Australian Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistina and Morelia kinghorni)
• Indian Python (Python molurus)
• Lizards
• All venomous species as determined by the DEC
• Asiatic (water) Monitor (Varanus salvator)
• Nile Monitor (Varanus nilocitus)
• White Throat Monitor (Varanus albigularis)
• Black Throat Monitor (Varanus albigularis ionides)
• Crocodile Monitor (Varanus salvadori)
• Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodensis)
• Crocodilians
• All species

In addition to the above listed species, many species of native New York State herps and similar species require special permits to possess as well (e.g. box turtles of the genus Terrepene). This list consists of the animals considered "dangerous" by the New York State Legislature.

Anyone who owned any of these animals before January 1, 2005 can to apply for a "grandfather" license. You must have proof that the animal was purchased before January 1, 2005. The law allows DEC to charge up to $170 per animal every 2 years.

You will not be allowed to display them in public or teach with them without a reptile educator's license. At the moment there is no criteria established that will be used to decide who is a an educator that qualifies for this license. A four-hour course will need to be attended before you can qualify, but there is no information on who will teach it. We don't know how this law will affect animal educators from other states who enter the state to perform animal presentations.

For more information on how to obtain permits for these animals please contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at the address below:

Special Licenses Unit
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4752
(518)402-8985

The DEC is not actively searching for these banned animals. The last thing the overworked and understaffed DEC needs is another law to enforce, however law enforcement officers in New York State will be required to enforce the law if a complaint is filed. Complaints will most likely be filed as a result of a bite, a domestic dispute or a flagrant violation.

This information is to be used only as a guide. Please contact your local authorities or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for the latest and most accurate information.

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