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WV regulation changes for possession of Corn Snakes

1

1CoolDad

New member
New regulations have been released from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources for reptiles and amphibians.

The new regulations regulate the possession of corn snakes. They restrict the possession to 4 max, makes it illegal to sell a corn snake and now makes it illegal to possess eggs of corn snakes.

Nothing mentions captive bred corn snakes are exempt from these regulations.

This makes me want to Draft a letter explaining corn snakes are perfect reptiles to keep in captivity and how easily captive bred snakes are obtained. Also, continue with how educational it of for young children in today's age to take interest in ownership as well as captive breeding.

I have two young daughters who have spent months researching corn snakes and we now own three. Under these regulations we can only possess one more and we will never be permitted to breed.

Not that I would want my children to start a business breeding snakes but I would like them to have the opportunity to legally observe the miracle of nature through the breeding of their pets. I support and nurture these interests because as we all know in today's world there are few activities that remain wholesome while contributing to the gain of respect for nature around us.

What a disappointment.
 
So, if it's illegal to breed or sell, how are people expected to obtain these 4 snakes that they are allowed to have, and what are people with more than 4 expected to do? Are the laws as strict for other reptile/non-reptile pets in your area or is this strictly a corn snake thing?

While I agree with you that this is sad, I also think that this can still be educational for your kids. Breeding/egg laying/hatching can all be observed on the internet, but another valuable lesson that they can still learn is that of why NOT to breed your pets. You can talk about pet overpopulation (I know, not as much of a problem with reptiles...yet), and how bringing life into the world is a HUGE responsibility not to be taken lightly. You can discuss with them how rescue is a wonderful option rather than breeding. Etc. Having worked in rescue, and seen so many unwanted and neglected pets, I really feel that there are other (maybe not as exciting for the kids, but still really good) ways for them to experience the MANY miracles of nature. :)
 
One of our snakes is a rescue snake, two are not. I try to educate my children so they talk to others about their experiences.

One corn snake cane from craigslist... named him craig... was almost dead but doing well now. My girls talk to everyone about the young man (college student) their daddy educated about responsibility and living things.

As for the regulations it is strict on corns because they can be found in the wild. It apples to all species found wild here. You are to take them from the wild. If I wanted a rattlesnake the only restriction is it has to be 42 inches or longer.

If it were exotic you could have hundreds.... you want a hundred anaconda, your good to go but better not have 4 little corns. I think the regulation will make a lot more neglected reptiles because the people who want a snake will only have the option of a boa or a python and they are not ideal snakes for beginners.

We have two rescue dogs and a rescue cat.

We are also organic beekeepers, you should hear my 6 year old tell you how important bees are to our environment and what the names of our colonies are. She loves to go open the observation windows on the sides to show them off. I collect feral swarms of bees for people who call when they have a honey bee problem.
 
It sounds like you are doing an awesome job with those girls. Now I'm a little jealous, I want bees too! :) LOL

I agree, that doesn't make any sense. It's illegal here to own hognose snakes without a permit, apparently for the same reason, but to me it makes a lot more sense to not be able to own them at all than to be able to own only wild caught. Is the issue due to people releasing captive bred back into the wild population maybe? I can't think of any other reason to tell people they can only keep wild caught.
 
Thank you. Being a Dad isn't easy, but I know I only get one shot to teach them by example and make lasting memories for them.

It's my understanding that there has been problems with people from other states coming here to collect any/every species of snake, frog, turtle, ect... to sell in other states to collectors or as pets. WV was lawless before, which resulted an some issues. There was a truck found leaving the state which was loaded to the gills with everything immaginable.

Here's the link to what I've been talking about:

http://www.wvdnr.gov/Publications/Amphibians/html5/index.html?page=1
 
Morgan County is the only place that has "isolated" records (first reported in 1971, limited "documented" sightings since) of a corn snake in WV. What are they afraid of, the state is in danger of being over run by cb corns? Or someone in Morgan County is going to get "the last one"? WV could have easily said, based on historical records "No collection of native corn snakes in Morgan County" or even "no "normal" corns are allowed to be kept/sold; morphs only" or "Red eyed corns only" lol a la NJ. They'll let you have four, but....just bass ackwards.
 
Really better hope that all those legal keepers with their 4 unsexed snakes don't practice co-habbing or they might have bigger issues than the possible health of said snakes ...
 
I believe the DNR tried to put something together to avoid continuing to have the problem of people from other states coming in and collecting any/all native species and hauling them out by the truck load to sell elsewhere. I know this have been found a major issue, but I don't think they thought all the details through. Honestly there isn't as many reptile keepers in this state as others.

I would like to believe if I put together a nice informative letter addressing the things I feel are of concern and mail it over and over and over... long enough these may be revised. I should research all surrounding state regulations and begin gathering every available reference out there on corn snakes.

I'm an engineer by trade so a large informative report stating a problem and breaking down all facts associated to come up with a proposed solution is kinda fun for me... I know it's a "sickness". Lol!
 
1CoolDad, I like your name.
If you do work on a "large informative report stating a problem and breaking down all the facts" please keep us up to date with the progress.
There are a number of reptile and amphibian keepers and even breeders here in WV. It is the whole very rural state, hard to get around, people keeping their business to themselves that contributes to it seeming a little lonely around here. I agree that WV law makers just don't get the problems they are creating by making poor laws.
PA laws are not a herp. friendly good example for WV, basically PA says don't touch anything native.
 
Nanci, are you asking if USARK was involved in the regulation changes? (If so I don't know).


Or are you asking if they are involved with me wanting to write an informative letter? (If so, no I'm not associated with any group, just a dad who's an outdoorsman and loves nature).
 
Nanci said:
Is USARK involved in this?
Click to expand...

USARK is involved in fighting against the "Dangerous Wild Animals Act" in WV which is a separate issue from WV Wild Life laws that were recently (2012?) enacted that the OP has an issue with and rightfully so.
The "Dangerous Wild Animals Act" will outlaw " Constrictor snakes greater than six feet, and venomous snakes; Alligators and caimans; Bears; Big cats; Canids; Primates".
If I'm reading the wildlife laws right, it doesn't really address captive bred corn snakes directly.
The letter in the other post quoted:
I should also remind you that,
1) it is illegal to sell or purchase any native species even if they are captive bred and,
2) bringing native species into the state is not permitted.
If you have any more questions please feel free to contact us.
Kieran O’Malley
It would of been nice if Kieran O'Malley linked to the actual law that addresses those 2 statements.
As we all know, what happens in one state is used, positively and negatively, in other states. 1CoolDad, let us know what you get for a response :)
 
Too bad. It looks like all constrictor species were removed, and the tiger salamander, and the last two frogs. AND the sponsor of the bill and all but one of the co-signers were not re-elected in November- yay!!
 
Thank you all for your comments. Most of all, thank you for introducing me to USARK! I'm pleased to find a group who gets involved with these kinds of things.
 
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