Hot Snake Permit Questions

[James Scanio]

I live in Pennsylvania and have a venomous snake permit for my hot snakes, but I am moving to Maryland soon and venomous snakes are illegal there. I cannot find any information about how to obtain a permit for my snakes to come with me. Does anyone know how (or if it is even possible) to obtain a permit in Maryland to keep venomous snakes legally? I know non-venomous don't require a permit, but can't find info on venomous. Any info would be great, thanks!

 

[The Snark]

https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/Licenses/captive.aspx
They group all reptiles in arbitrary categories regardless of venomous or not. Pay attention to List C requirements.
"Venomous snakes may not be possessed as pets."

 

[mantisfan101]

I live in Pennsylvania and have a venomous snake permit for my hot snakes, but I am moving to Maryland soon and venomous snakes are illegal there. I cannot find any information about how to obtain a permit for my snakes to come with me. Does anyone know how (or if it is even possible) to obtain a permit in Maryland to keep venomous snakes legally? I know non-venomous don't require a permit, but can't find info on venomous. Any info would be great, thanks!

I don’t know much about reptiles and amphibians here in MD, but I do know that all venomous reptiles are prohibited no matter what with I believe the exception for zoos, museums, and so on.

 

[CJJon]

I live in Pennsylvania and have a venomous snake permit for my hot snakes, but I am moving to Maryland soon and venomous snakes are illegal there. I cannot find any information about how to obtain a permit for my snakes to come with me. Does anyone know how (or if it is even possible) to obtain a permit in Maryland to keep venomous snakes legally? I know non-venomous don't require a permit, but can't find info on venomous. Any info would be great, thanks!

Not going to happen. Don't be like VenomMan20...

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2018/05/11/venomman20-guilty-of-possessing-illegal-venomous-snakes/

 

[Teal]

but I am no longer moving to Maryland because I want to keep my snakes.

Fixed it for ya

 

[l4nsky]

Yeah, you're kinda SOL for keeping venomous in Maryland as far as a private collection, but their are ways to keep venomous if you want to jump through the hoops.

Dangerous animals: BANS except USDA research facility, USDA exhibitor, under special permit, a 501(c) 3 animal sanctuary, animal control officer, licensed vet, traveling through the state within 10 days, or service animal, and grandfathered owners that gave written notification to the local animal control by August 1, 2006.

http://www.uappeal.org/maryland.html

Unless you want to start and maintain a commercial entity to get a USDA license or start a non profit animal rescue to be able to keep them, and follow all of their governing rules and regulations, you're options seem rather limited. One thing worth digging into is a lot of states allow educational outreach programs to keep "banned" species and the requirements are usually lax (like 4 minimum annual educational exhibitions for some states). I cant find any info for Maryland specifically, but maybe that falls under the special permits category listed above

Thanks,
--Matt

 

[The Snark]

One thing worth digging into is a lot of states allow educational outreach programs to keep "banned" species

Usually requires proof of affiliation with an accredited educational institute. Depending on location and resident bureaucrats this may entail virtually writing a treatise of intents and purposes.

 

[l4nsky]

Usually requires proof of affiliation with an accredited educational institute. Depending on location and resident bureaucrats this may entail virtually writing a treatise of intents and purposes.

Lol I didnt say it would be easy. In fact, its designed to be rather difficult. By making multiple hoops to jump through, it separates and filters out the dedicated keepers with pure intents from the riff raff that want an Elapid purely for bragging rights and other vain reasons.

Thanks,
--Matt

 

[The Snark]

By making multiple hoops to jump through, it separates and filters out the dedicated keepers with pure intents from the riff raff that want an Elapid purely for bragging rights and other vain reasons...

... like rattlesnake handling/baiting/smooching...
I wish to all that's unholy there was some standardization to the keeping requirements. In one state a diligent careful person undergoes multiple inspections every year and is always concerned some trivial error is going to get them slapped with a fine three times the national debt while one state over some idiot is living with crotalids competing for space in his sock drawer.

 

[James Scanio]

Not going to happen. Don't be like VenomMan20...

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2018/05/11/venomman20-guilty-of-possessing-illegal-venomous-snakes/

Oh yeah I remember seeing that on the news, yikes! Man I wish Maryland would loosen up a bit. In my opinion, if you can prove that you are responsible and respectful towards venomous snakes, and get proper licensing, you should be able to keep them no matter where you are (assuming the place/room you keep them in is safe and escape proof)

 

[James Scanio]

Fixed it for ya

Haha lmao, accurate! I love my snakes, I might even avoid moving because I like them so much!

 

[James Scanio]

Yeah, you're kinda SOL for keeping venomous in Maryland as far as a private collection, but their are ways to keep venomous if you want to jump through the hoops.

http://www.uappeal.org/maryland.html

Unless you want to start and maintain a commercial entity to get a USDA license or start a non profit animal rescue to be able to keep them, and follow all of their governing rules and regulations, you're options seem rather limited. One thing worth digging into is a lot of states allow educational outreach programs to keep "banned" species and the requirements are usually lax (like 4 minimum annual educational exhibitions for some states). I cant find any info for Maryland specifically, but maybe that falls under the special permits category listed above

Thanks,
--Matt

I’ll look into that, Matt, thanks!

 

[The Snark]

if you can prove that you are responsible and respectful towards venomous snakes, and get proper licensing, you should be able to keep them no matter where you are (assuming the place/room you keep them in is safe and escape proof)

What should be a requisite along with proof you are a conscientious animal keeper is a modified form of the MMPI 2 geared towards complacency tendencies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Multiphasic_Personality_Inventory
Way way way too many animals get put down because they zapped the owner during an airhead moment.

 

[James Scanio]

What should be a requisite along with proof you are a conscientious animal keeper is a modified form of the MMPI 2 geared towards complacency tendencies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Multiphasic_Personality_Inventory
Way way way too many animals get put down because they zapped the owner during an airhead moment.

Oooh I like that yeah I’d be perfectly fine with that, that a good idea

 

[Teal]

Elapid purely for bragging rights and other vain reasons.

Doea this coral snake match my lipstick?

In my opinion, if you can prove that you are responsible and respectful towards venomous snakes, and get proper licensing, you should be able to keep them no matter where you are (assuming the place/room you keep them in is safe and escape proof)

Nothing is escape proof in a flood, hurricane, etc. Have you seen Florida? Lol.

Haha lmao, accurate! I love my snakes, I might even avoid moving because I like them so much!

My animals entirely dictate where I can/cannot live. Truth. Lol

 

[l4nsky]

Doea this coral snake match my lipstick?

Lmao yes, about just as much as this eyelash viper matches my earrings.

Nothing is escape proof in a flood, hurricane, etc. Have you seen Florida? Lol.

Yeah, Florida is just a giant ecological experiment at this point... or a Colosseum pitting exotic animals from around the world against each other in a natural setting. On the subject of escape, I know people like Tom Crutchfield will bag their entire hot collection and place them back in their enclosures when a hurricane comes through to hedge their bets. That sounds like a major chore.

Thanks,
--Matt

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I don't know who this 'VenomMan20' is, obviously, but definitely he's one of those idiots that, on my book, has the brain infested by B.dubia and other various roaches

I mean, you are living in a U.S state where it's illegal to keep venomous snakes, check. 'You' keep venomous snakes, check. And then 'you' even upload your crap on the Internet where everyone can see? Check.

What happened to the mighty ancient Italian way of doing things? The 'Pssht! Say nothing' mentality? Mah...

 

[l4nsky]

What happened to the mighty ancient Italian way of doing things? The 'Pssht! Say nothing' mentality? Mah...

Omerta and social media are polar opposites.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Omerta and social media are polar opposites.

This 'social media' rapture is the most stupid thing I've seen in those last 30 years of life, by a long shot.

This man basically was caught only because he couldn't resist to 'show' to everyone his snakes, because, obviously, to mantaining a low profile doesn't brings the "Wow", the "You are cool", the followers and the other crap that boost a virtual Ego.

Ain't saying that someone should go against the law, God forbid, but I have to recognize that chances to end caught that way are pretty low if someone mantains a bit of discretion.

 

[SonsofArachne]

Ain't saying that someone should go against the law, God forbid, but I have to recognize that chances to end caught that way are pretty low if someone mantains a bit of discretion.

Yes, that bit of discretion would include NOT POSTING VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE. How could this guy not think that he was going get caught?