Owners of venomous reptiles and Class I wildlife in Florida need to apply for a permit and get a surety bond to legally own the animals. Keep reading to find out what legal ownership entails.
What animals require permits for ownership?
Venomous reptiles and Class I wildlife cannot be owned or exhibited if the owner doesn’t have a permit and a surety bond from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The native venomous reptile list includes:
- Coral snake
- Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
- Canebrake rattlesnake
- Pygmy rattlesnake
- Cottonmouth
- Copperhead
Owners of conditional reptiles also need this permit, but they can no longer be acquired for personal possession. If you were properly licensed and owned the animal before July 1, 2010, you can own it as long as you continue to be licensed.
Class I wildlife are animals that are dangerous to humans, and the state no longer allows personal acquisition of them. Owners must have had possession of their animals before August 1, 1980, or before August 27, 2009 if the animal is a cougar, panther, or cheetah. Some other Class I animals include baboons, bears, chimpanzees, jaguars, leopards, gorillas, lions, tigers, and orangutans.
If you own any venomous reptiles or Class I wildlife in Florida, there are strict laws about acreage and caging to protect the public from being harmed by the animals. When applying for a permit, owners need to prepare a Captive Wildlife Incident-Disaster Plan (CIPD) detailing how the animals would be captured and secured in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
Venomous reptile permits cost $100 and require owners to get a $10,000 surety bond. Class I wildlife permits are $150 for less than 25 animals, and $250 for 26 or more, and owners also need a $10,000 bond.
Why is this bond needed?
The venomous reptiles and Class I wildlife surety bonds protect the public from harm by dangerous animals. The bonds are animal owners’ promises to follow all Florida laws about caging, acreage, licensing, and any other ownership rules. Should a member of the public suffer harm from one of the animals, they can file a claim against the surety bond to seek reimbursement.
More questions about captive wildlife permits in Florida? Get in touch with the Division of Law Enforcement, Investigations Section at (850) 488-6253.
Ready to get bonded? Call Single Source Insurance at 1 (855) 689-5106 for a free quote!