New Rules for Invasive Nonnative Reptiles

• 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.

Effective date for new rules: April 29, 2021

90-day grace period to apply for a permit, upgrade indoor caging, and have any qualifying animals PIT tagged ends: July 28, 2021

180-day grace period to upgrade outdoor caging requirements for Prohibited reptile species ends: October 26, 2021

Persons or businesses in possession of the newly listed Prohibited reptiles for commercial sale use have until July 28, 2021 to liquidate their inventory in Florida. These species may not be possessed for commercial sale purposes in Florida after July 28, 2021, except green iguanas or tegus possessed by qualifying entities under a limited exception commercial use permit.

If you have one of these animals as a pet, you have until July 28, 2021 to obtain a free Prohibited species for personal use permit and permanently mark the animal with a PIT tag. Applicants will need to submit a completed application form and Critical Incident/Disaster Plan.

If you are a public exhibitor, you must apply for a free Conditional/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permit (CSP) for public educational exhibition. If you already have a current CSP, then you can submit a request to have it amended. 

If you are a researcher, you must apply for a free CSP for research use. If you already have a current CSP, then you can submit a request to have it amended. 

If you are an entity engaged in eradication or control work, you must apply for a free CSP for eradication and control use. Check back for updates on how to apply for this new permit type.

If you possess green iguanas and/or tegus for commercial sale and qualify for a permit to continue that activity under the limited exception in Rule 68-5.007, you must apply for a free CSP for commercial sale of green iguanas or tegus. Permits are only issued to facilities meeting the requirements of Rule 68-5.007. 

Completed applications or requests for permit amendments may be submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Impact Management Section via email to  [email protected] or by mail to 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

Additional information on nonnative species permits

Yes. People in possession of these animals can rehome the newly listed Prohibited species before April 29, 2021. If you are selling any nonnative wildlife, you must have an active license authorizing that activity. For tegus or green iguanas, a License to Possess Class III Wildlife for Exhibition or Public Sale (ESC) is required. For the constrictors and Nile monitors, a CSP for commercial import/export business use is required. Once the rule is effective, people in possession of these animals will have until July 28, 2021 to come into compliance with the new rules.

Prohibited species pose a high risk to Florida's ecology, economy or human health and safety. Prohibited species may only be possessed for research, following approval of a research plan, and for public exhibition by qualifying facilities. Prohibited species may also be possessed for eradication and control activities by permitted entities. They may not be acquired or kept as personal pets or for commercial sale, with some limited exceptions.

Pets possessed prior to a species’ listing as Prohibited may be kept with a no-cost permit. There are also limited exceptions for commercial sale of green iguanas and tegus by qualifying permitted entities. Permitted facilities and pet owners must meet strict biosecurity and caging requirements.

Prohibited species may be transferred only to people who hold a permit to possess that species. All Prohibited species must be maintained in accordance with the provisions outlined in Chapter 68-5.

Additional regulations restrict the importation, possession and transfer of certain Prohibited species.

These species pose a threat to Florida’s ecology, economy, and human health and safety. Because they are a high-risk to Florida, enhanced regulations are necessary. Regulation of high-risk nonnative fish and wildlife is used in conjunction with ongoing field work and other management strategies to minimize adverse impacts of invasive species and to prevent additional introduction or spread in the wild.

FWC staff will continue to use risk assessments and risk screenings to determine if additional management efforts are needed for nonnative species of concern. At the February 2021 Commission meeting, Commissioners directed staff to develop a Technical Assistance Group to consider changes in regulatory approach for nonnative fish and wildlife.

Under the new rules, Prohibited reptiles may not be bred except by qualifying Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or Zoological Association of America (ZAA) accredited or certified institutions or researchers. Qualifying commercial sellers of tegus and green iguanas may breed green iguanas or tegus until June 30, 2024. Any eggs produced after June 30, 2024 must be destroyed. Permittees seeking authorization to breed Prohibited reptiles for educational exhibition or research purposes must submit a detailed proposal explaining the conservation value of the planned breeding activity, which must be approved by the FWC before any breeding activity occurs. Prohibited reptiles may not be bred or reared outdoors.

All Prohibited lizards over 5 inches in snout-to-vent length must be PIT tagged. Prohibited lizard PIT tags must be implanted in the body cavity near and in front of a rear leg, or in a rear leg. All Prohibited snakes over ½ inch in diameter must be PIT tagged. Prohibited snake PIT tags must be implanted in the rear third of the snake, forward of the anal plate. Any juvenile tegus or green iguanas that are not PIT tagged may not be housed in outdoor enclosures. Prohibited reptiles may only be housed in outdoor enclosures if they have been marked with a PIT tag. Outdoor enclosures must meet the caging requirements.

We have additional information and FAQ pages set up for the following topics:

Pet Owners

Commercial Sellers

Researchers

Trappers

Exhibitors