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Michigan Laws
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by Fishmich on January 26, 2007
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after a few years experience with handling wild venomous species, im looking to get my first captive hot. im from michigan, currently live in florida, but will probably be moving back to michigan around may. ive spent a lot of time on the phone with usfws, the dnr, and the dept of agriculture and it seems i cant get a straight forward answer on keeping an eastern massasauga. the way i understood things is if the snake is captive bred and purchased out of state, its legal as long as local laws allow it. im also considering other snakes ive had experience with such as copperheads, cottons, and pygmys but my love is the eastern massy. if anyone can give me some info it would be greatly appreciated.
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RE: Michigan Laws
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by tj on January 26, 2007
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Straight forward answer, you can't keep an eastern in Michigan without a permit. And I would think bringing it from Florida to Michigan would be a violation of the Lacey Act..not %100 sure on that one, though.
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RE: Michigan Laws
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by tj on January 26, 2007
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Oops, I re-read it and realized you DON'T have the snake yet. Probably a good thing...
"the way i understood things is if the snake is captive bred and purchased out of state, its legal as long as local laws allow it".
Only if you have a Michigan state permit. And I know there are some dealers out of state that won't even sell to people in MI,NY, or PA just because of the hassle. Not to mention, finding legal, CB eastern's are difficult to find. Lots a red tape. It took my ISP licensed friend YEARS to find someone who could legitimately sell him his animals.
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RE: Michigan Laws
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by YoungHerp1 on January 27, 2007
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Im from Michigan too. Ive heard from older friends that they have gotten in trouble for owning a eastern mass. But i dont know about the law if you perchase them out of state and have proof of that. Because it is an endagered species. Like spotted turtles you cant legally own them in Michigan, or fox snakes even indigos. I mean i own a lot of native speicies when spring comes around, painted turtles, snapping turtles, water snakes, garter sankes, hognose, sometimes a blue racer or two. I put them back in the woods when winter comes rolling in. I know for a fact you can get a fishing license (i think thats the one im thinking of) to own natives, but only 5-6. I dont think that counts for the endangered ones. Hope this helps a little.
Mike
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Importation of Protected Species
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by GLZ on March 28, 2011
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Joseph,
Eastern Massasauga Rattle Snakes are native to Michigan and protected as a Species of Special Concern from wild collection and possession. As a protected species, a scientific collector's permit is required to collect and possess them from the wild, however authorization to collect these or any other native species listed as special concern, threatened, or endangered for personal possession will NOT be issued. There are no legal captive breeding programs for native reptiles or amphibians in Michigan, so in state purchase of any kind is also not legal. Furthermore, a scientific collector’s permit will not be given to import or possess these turtles from outside Michigan regardless of source.
The Department of Natural Resources regulates the collection and possession of native/endemic species from the wild. The Department does not regulate the pet trade (unless it involves the poaching of native species from the wild). Purchase and possession of protected native species from legal sources outside Michigan is legal but not advised. The onus is on the person who purchases and brings them into Michigan to prove that any native species in possession did not come from the wild. Bill of sale listing the species, number purchased, and location of purchase is required to be kept with the animal at all times for the duration of its life. A clean health certificate is also advised. This documentation must be provided. All native protected species in possession without documentation of origin will be assumed to be from the wild, subject to confiscation, and in all likelihood destroyed. The person in possession would be subject to ticket. Due to disease transmission and genetic concerns any protected native species that is purchased and imported into Michigan can not be released to the wild under any circumstances.
Do not let any imported protected native species breed. Even with parental documentation of origin, there will be no documentation for the juveniles produced. The offspring will be illegal and subject to confiscation and ticket. It is also illegal to release any offspring.
I STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST the purchase, importation, and possession of protected native species obtained outside of Michigan. Besides the legal onus on the individual to prove their snakes did not come from the wild, when cared for properly, these snakes will live 10+ years. That is the commitment expected of anyone getting them to make! If at any point in the future, the imported specimens are no longer wanted they can either be adopted or killed. Those are the ONLY two options. If adoption is not an option, the owner must be willing to euthanize. Again due to disease transmission and genetic concerns reptiles from unknown sources can not be released into the wild under any circumstances.
Any person wishing to possess a venomous reptile should check with their local municipality for any ordinances against such possession.
Finally, evidence strongly suggests the purchase of these protected species (even from “legal” sources) supports illegal collection/poaching activities in their native ranges. Michigan has a history of the illegal collection and funneling of these species to out-of-state middle men for sale in the pet trade or movement over seas (Operation Slither 2003). As recently as March 2009, similar poaching activities were investigated and charges brought in New York State (Operation Shellshock). In talking personally with the lead investigator for Operation Shellshock, Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes were considered “priceless”. Based on those conversations, I would be highly skeptical if one is legally available for purchase for less than several 1,000s of dollars.
Thomas M. Goniea, Biologist
DNR - Fisheries Division
517-373-7341
gonieat@michigan.gov
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Can you please inform me the email address or forward my email to someone with the MI DNR who can provide information regarding the possession of native MI wildlife, Species of Special Concern, Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus).
I have done some research online of regulations but I can only find information prohibiting the possession of specimens which have been collected from the wild, I need information with regards to possession of captive bred specimens from outside the state of Michigan, these specimens would have paperwork showing that they were CB outside of MI.
I would like to accuire such a captive bred specimen to use for educational presentations, I have located a captive bred specimen available from a breeder outside MI, I just want to double check everything with someone from MI DNR who is familiar with the regulations to ensure that such purchase and possession would be within the guidlines of the MI laws and if you could put me in contac with such I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank You,
Joseph
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