Wildlife Not Requiring a PermitThe following species do not require a permit for personal possession as long as no other Rule or Statute applies. Examples include, but are not limited to, rules for Threatened or Endangered Species: 1. Reptiles, amphibians (nonvenomous native species that are not listed as endangered, threatened, species of special concern, or otherwise regulated; nonvenomous nonnative species not listed as Reptiles of Concern)
2. Gerbils, hedgehogs
3. Honey possums, sugar gliders, brushtailed possums
4. Shell parakeets
5. Rats and mice
6. Canaries
7. Moles; shrews
8. Rabbits
9. Squirrels; chipmunks
10. Ferrets (domestic; European)
11. Lovebirds
12. Guinea pigs
13. Cockatiels
14. Hamsters
15. Parrots
16. Finches
17. Myna birds
18. Toucans
19. Doves: ringed, ruddy, and diamond
20. Button quail
21. Prairie dogs
22. Chinchillas Note: Camels, llamas, wild horses, jungle fowl, common guinea fowl and peafowl are considered domestic/domesticated species and do not require a permit. Ratites and bison possessed for farming purposes do not require a permit. Wildlife Requiring a PermitA. Reptiles of Concern There are currently no reptiles listed as reptiles of concern. B. Venomous Reptiles Native Venomous Reptiles include: 1. Coral snake (Micrurus fulvius)
2. Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
3. Canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus)
4. Pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius)
5. Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
6. Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) All other species of venomous reptiles are considered to be nonnative. C. Class I Wildlife Class I wildlife are those that pose a significant danger to people. Substantial experience and specific cage requirements must be met. Permits are required for public exhibition or sale of Class I wildlife. Class I wildlife is prohibited from personal possession unless the animal was possessed on or before August 1, 1980. Class I species are: 1. Chimpanzees (genus Pan)
2. Gorillas (genus Gorilla)
3. Gibbons (genus Hylobates)
4. Drills and mandrills (genus Mandrillus)
5. Orangutans (genus Pongo)
6. Baboons (genus Papaio)
7. Siamangs (genus Symphalangus)
8. Gelada baboons (genus Theropithecus)
9. Snow leopards (Panthera uncia)
10. Leopards (Panthera pardus)
11. Jaguars (Panthera onca)
12. Tigers (Panthera tigris)
13. Lions (Panthera leo)
14. Bears (family Ursidae)
15. Rhinoceros (family Rhinocerotidae)
16. Elephants (family Elephantidae)
17. Hippopotamuses (family Hippopotamidae)
18. Cape buffalos (Syncerus caffer caffer)
19. Crocodiles (except dwarf and Congo) (family Crocodilidae)
20. Gavials (family Gavialidae)
21. Black caimans (Melanosuchus niger)
22. Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) Top of page D. Class II Wildlife Class II wildlife can also pose a danger to people. Substantial experience and specific cage requirements must be met. Permits are required for public exhibition, sale or personal possession of Class II wildlife. Class II species are: | | |
1. Howler monkeys (genus Alouatta)
2. Uakaris (genus Cacajao)
3. Mangabeys (genus Cercocebus)
4. Guenons (genus Ceropithecus)
5. Bearded sakis (genus Chiropotes)
6. Guereza monkeys (genus Colobus)
7. Celebes black apes (genus Cynopithecus)
8. Indri (genus Indri)
9. Macaques (genus Macaca)
10. Langurs (genus Presbytis)
11. Douc langurs (genus Pygathrix)
12. Snub-nosed langurs (genus Phinopithecus)
13. Proboscis monkeys (genus Nasalis)
14. Servals (Leptailurus serval)
15. European and Canadian lynx (Lynx lynx)
16. Cougars, panthers (Puma concolor)
17. Bobcats (Lynx rufus)
18. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jabatus)
19. Caracals (Caracal caracal)
20. African golden cats (Profelis aurata)
21. Temminck's golden cats (Profelis temmincki)22. Fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrina)
23. Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis)
24. Clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) | 25. Coyotes (Canis latrans)
26. Gray wolves (Canis lupus) (including wolf x domestic hybrids which are 25 percent or less domestic dog)
27. Red wolves (Canis niger) (including wolf x domestic hybrids which are 25 percent or less domestic dog)
28. Asiatic jackals (Canis aureus)
29. Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas)
30. Side-striped jackals (Canis adustus)
31. Indian dholes (Cuon alpinus)
32. African hunting dogs (Lycaon pictus)
33. Wolverines (Gulo gulo)
34. Honey badgers (Mellivora capensis)
35. American badgers (Taxides taxus)
36. Old World badgers (Meles meles)
37. Binturongs (Arctictis binturong)
38. Hyenas (all species) (family Hyaenidae)
39. Dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
40. Alligators, caimans (except American alligator) (family Alligatoridae)
41. Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
42. Cassowary (Casuarius spp.) |
E. Class III Wildlife A permit is required for personal possession, exhibition or sale of Class III wildlife. Class III wildlife are all species not listed as Class I or Class II; and not among those species that are specifically listed as not requiring a permit for personal possession. There is no formal list of Class III species. You must check the lists of Class I, Class II, and species not requiring a permit to determine if an animal in question is a Class III species. Florida residents 16 years of age and older may apply for permit to possess Class III wildlife. Also, a special permit is needed to import leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis), African spurred tortoises (G. sulcata) or Bell's hingeback tortoises (Kinixys belliana) from another state. F. Game Mammals and Birds Game birds include: wild turkey, quail, rails, snipe, woodcock, ducks, geese, brant, dove, coot, gallinule, and nonnative species generally considered game such as pheasant, chukar partridge, and coturnix quail. Game mammals include: deer, gray squirrel, rabbits, wild hogs in those areas where specified, and nonnative species generally considered game such as elk, antelope and buffalo. Bison possessed for farming purposes are excluded from this license requirement. Top of page G. Conditional Nonnative Wildlife Conditional nonnative species (formerly referred to as restricted species) are considered to be dangerous to the ecology and/or the health and welfare of the people of Florida. These species may not be possessed for personal use. Go to the list of conditional species . H. Prohibited Nonnative Wildlife Prohibited non-native species are considered to be dangerous to the ecology and/or the health and welfare of the people of Florida. These species may not be possessed for personal use. Go to the list of prohibited nonnative species . Top of page I. Endangered Species The following species, listed prior to June 23, 1999, are declared to be endangered. No person shall pursue, molest, harm, harass, capture, possess, or sell any endangered species listed, parts thereof or their nests or eggs except as authorized by specific permit. Permits are issued only when the permitted activity will clearly enhance the survival potential of the species. (a) Pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus)
(b) Blackmouth shiner (Notropis melanostomus)
(c) Okaloosa darter (Etheostoma okaloosae)
(d) Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
(e) American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
(f) Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
(g) Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
(h) Kemp's ridley seaturtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
(i) Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
(j) Striped mud turtle (Kinosternon bauri) (lower keys population only)
(k) Wood stork (Mycteria americana)
(l) Snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)
(m) Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
(n) Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis)
(o) Bachman's warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)
(p) Kirtland's warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii)
(q) Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus)
(r) Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis)
(s) Gray bat (Myotis grisescens)
(t) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)
(u) Florida mastiff bat (Eumops glaucinus floridanus)
(v) Silver rice rat (Oryzomys argentatus)
(w) Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus allophrys)
(x) Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis)
(y) St. Andrews beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis)
(z) Anastasia Island beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus phasma)
(aa) Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola)
(bb) Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli)
(cc) Florida saltmarsh vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli)
(dd) Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri)
(ee) Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)
(ff) Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi)
(gg) Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium). No person shall feed Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) by hand or by placing any food that serves to attract such species. (hh) North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)
(ii) Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
(jj) Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis)
(kk) Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
(ll) Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
(mm) Schaus'swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus)
(nn) Stock Island tree snail (Orthalicus reses) The Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus [=Hemiargus] thomasi bethunebakeri), listed after June 23, 1999, is declared to be endangered. No person shall take, harm, harass, possess, sell, or transport any Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus [=Hemiargus] thomasi bethunebakeri), parts thereof or their eggs, larvae or pupae except as authorized by permit from the FWC. J. Threatened Species The following species are hereby declared to be threatened. No person shall take, possess, transport, molest, harass or sell any threatened species, parts thereof or their nests or eggs except as authorized by specific permit from the FWC. Permits are issued only for scientific or conservation purposes and only when the applicant shows that the permitted activity will not have a negative impact on the survival potential of the species. 1. Crystal darter (Crystallaria asprella)
2. Key silverside (Menidia conchorum)
3. Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
4. Blue-tail mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus)
5. Sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi)
6. Key ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus acricus)
7. Rim rock crowned snake (Tantilla oolitica)
8. Short-tailed snake (Stilosoma extenuatum)
9. Florida brown snake (Storeria dekayi victa) (lower keys population only)
10. Florida ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackeni) (lower keys population only)
11. Eastern Indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)
12. Atlantic salt marsh water snake (Nerodia clarkii taeniata)
13. Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
14. Southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus)
15. Crested caracara (Polyborus plancus)
16. Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis)
17. Roseate tern (Sterna dougalli)
18. Least tern (Sterna antillarum albifrons)
19. White-crowned pigeon (Columba leucocephala)
20. Florida Scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)
21. Snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
22. Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)
23. Big Cypress fox squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia)
24. Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) (other than those found in Baker and Columbia counties or in Apalachicola National Forest or which are held in captivity under permit)
25. Everglades mink (Mustela vison evergladensis)
26. Southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris) Top of page K. Species of Special Concern The following species are declared to be of special concern.
No person shall take, possess, transport, or sell, any species of special concern, parts thereof, or their nests or eggs except as authorized by Commission regulations, by permit from the FWC, or by statute or regulation of any other state agency. Permits are issued on reasonable conclusion that the permitted activity will not be detrimental to the survival potential of the species. 1. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus)
2. Lake Eustis pupfish (Cyprinodon variegates hubbsi)
3. Saltmarsh topminnow (Fundulus jenkinsi)
4. Rivulus (Rivulus marmoratus)
5. Southern tessellated darter (Etheostoma olmstedi maculaticeps)
6. Harlequin darter (Etheostoma histrio)
7. Shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae)
8. Suwannee bass (Micropterus notius)
9. Key blenny (Starksia starcki)
10. Gopher frog (Rana capito)
11. Pine Barrens treefrog (Hyla andersonii)
12. Florida bog frog (Rana okaloosae)
13. Georgia blind salamander (Haideotriton wallacei)
14. Alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temmincki=Macrochelys temmincki)
15. Suwannee cooter (Psuedemys concinna suwanniensis)
16. Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri)
17. Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)
18. American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
19. Florida key mole skink (Eumeces egregius egregius)
20. Red rat snake (Elaphe guttata) (lower keys population only)
21. Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
22. Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus)
23. Little blue heron (Egretta caerulea)
24. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (Monroe County population only)
25. Black skimmer (Rynchops niger)
26. White ibis (Eudocimus albus)
27. Snowy egret (Egretta thula)
28. Reddish egret (Egretta rufescens)
29. Tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor)
30. Roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
31. Whooping crane (Grus americana)
32. Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)
33. American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
34. Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)
35. Marian's marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris mariianae)
36. Worthington's marsh wren (Cistothorus paluistris griseus)
37. Scott's seaside sparrow (Ammodramus mairitimus peninsulae)
38. Wakulla seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritiimus juncicolus)
39. Sherman's fox squirrel (Sciurus niger shermiani)
40. Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
41. Florida mouse (Podomys floridanus)
42. Sherman's short-tailed shrew (Blarina caroilinesis [=brevicauda] shermanii)
43. Homosassa shrew (Sorex longirostris eioinis)
44. Sanibel Island rice rat (Oryzomys palustris saniibeli)
45. Florida tree snail (Liguus fasciatus)
46. Bluenose shiner (Pteronotropis welaka)
47. Black Creek crayfish (Procambarus pictus)
48. Panama City crayfish (Procambarus econfinae)
49. Sims Sink crayfish (Procambarus erythrops) The following species, listed after January 1, 2001, are declared to be of special concern, and shall be afforded the following protections. (a) Flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum).
No person may take any flatwoods salamander, parts thereof or their eggs except as authorized by Commission rule or by permit from the FWC. (b) Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis).
No person shall take, harass, possess, sell, or transport any red-cockaded woodpecker, parts thereof, or their eggs, nests or dens except as authorized by permit from the FWC. Permits will be issued based on whether it will further management plan goals and objectives. Top of page |
