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African soft furs: Legal?

Quiet Tempest

Quiet Tempest

New member
I'm interested in the aspect of breeding African soft furs for my corns and ball pythons because I'm hearing that the smell of an African soft fur colony isn't as strong as mouse and rat colonies and that cannibalism is less likely among them.

However, several people have told me that these are a restricted species in many states. Is this true?

I contacted my state's wildlife resource agency and spoke with the captive wildlife coordinator and he wasn't aware of any rules or regulations pertaining to these guys, but said I should contact the USDA to be sure. I tried contacting them and have left a message, but while I wait for some response I was hoping maybe some of you guys could enlighten me?

Are African soft furs illegal in your state or are there restrictions put in place on them?
 
I dont know the exact reasons but alot of pet species are illegal in certain states due to them being feral to the enviroment and their ability to thrive. I know here in PA the Quaker Parakeet which is legal in some states in illegal here since it is not native but can thrive and cause lots of problems to crops and such. So I am guessing this may be the story with the ASFs? I mean they are mice what problems cant they cause!
 
Rodents are rodents..

The logic is that they can survive in a lot of different scenarios, which is why they are illegal in California, as their original environment is similar to that of California.

Same with Ferrets, Hedgehogs, Gerbils, etc...

All illegal in California.
 
Yep. I remember when I was a kid and was breeding mice, I visited my cousin in Nebraska and he was breeding gerbils. Wow! I was blown away by them, they seemed so exotic, lol. I'd never seen them being a CA kid.

I would like to have one of those giant Gambian (?) rats though if it was legal here..

I think ASF's are legal in many states, though I don't think any more can be imported..
 
They are banned from importing from any country into the US. Allegedly those already in the US are legal to own and breed and sell, unless banned by your particular state.

They were included in a wide ban on importing African rodents due to a monkeypox scare back in 2003 I believe.
 
Flagg said:
They are banned from importing from any country into the US. Allegedly those already in the US are legal to own and breed and sell, unless banned by your particular state.

They were included in a wide ban on importing African rodents due to a monkeypox scare back in 2003 I believe.
Click to expand...

Oooh, I'd all but forgotten about the Monkeypox scare.

Do you know if there's a compiled list of banned animals by state floating around anywhere?
 
TripleMoonsExotic said:
That would be something your state Fish & Wildlife would have.
Click to expand...

Well, I've spoken to Walter Cook, our captive wildlife coordinator at the TWRA and he's not aware of any ban on them. That's promising, but I need to verify it with the USDA. They're not very good at returning calls, apparently.
 
Do not bother with any thing else I can tell you they are very legal here. I have them and breed them and I bought mine at a pet store in the county I used to live in before moving to the one I am in now. I know of one other person in the state that also breeds them but they are over in Nashville. I am in Greeneville.

Local pet store in Morristown used to sell them but stopped as they had too many for sale and none were selling. They do not make good pets BUT they make great feeders. I have been feeding my snakes them now for 9 months and all are very healthy snakes. I have 2 rat snakes and one BRboa. Bought at same store where I got the asfrats. They do not smell at all or just a tiny bit. I used to breed mice many years ago so I know the differance. I am feeding babies or pinkies to my baby rat with out a problem. My adult rat takes weaned to full size depending on how hungry she is, which of late she has not been. My boa well he eats when I feed him every time.

I have these in a open cage in the room I am in now. Waiting on next litter since I need to keep a male back for breeding. They are not easy to find in Tn but they are legal as some pet stores do or did sell them. There is a forum do a search for african soft furred rat forum. I do not have the address on this area of my comp. I am on aol right now not IE where that is on my comp. Email me if you need any more info.

Tamara
 
LadyOhh said:
Rodents are rodents..

The logic is that they can survive in a lot of different scenarios, which is why they are illegal in California, as their original environment is similar to that of California.

Same with Ferrets, Hedgehogs, Gerbils, etc...

All illegal in California.
Click to expand...

You have got to admit that everything is illegal in Calif. All laws are born in Calif. Something becomes illegal in Calif and then slowly becomes illegal in other states. It is like a disease.
 
I have the same question. I'm hearing mixed things about needing a USDA license and keeping ASFs. Their webpage says you do not need a license for rats and mice and animals raised for food but I don't know if ASFs raised for snake food fall under that. Anyone know for sure, as in you actually talked to the USDA?

Thanks, Tinker
 
I am not absolutely sure about Texas, but I am sure about Louisiana and South Carolina= totally legal in both!
~Beau
 
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