|
1-5 of 5 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
Sistrurus c. catenatus
|
Reply
|
|
by Fishmich on February 13, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
ok, ive posted some questions regarding this topic in the past on some other forums but not sure if this was one of them. in the weeks since my last inquiries ive been doing a lot of research and talking on the phone with various agencies. basically the question was, is it possible for me to legally keep an eastern massasauga at my residence in michigan? after being redirected many times, put on hold a time or two, leaving a half dozen messages, and sending a few emails ive finally come to some definitive answers. ive spoken with the dnr, usfws, and the dept of agriculture and here is what ive found. the same laws that apply to may of the surrounding states do not apply to michigan due to the fact that the eastern massasauga is a species of special concern rather than being federally listed. yes, it is a federally protected animal and cant be tampered with in the wild but captive laws are different. after speaking with 4 different people in lansing today ive found that with proof that the snake is a captive born snake and there are no local ordinances against venomous snakes, you are free to own the animal. they made it very clear that without proof the snake is cb, i am subject to penalty. so that is where im at right now. i guess the problem i face now is finding someone who can help me obtain a snake that can be proven to be a captive bred animal when i do get back to michigan.
~Billy
|
| |
|
RE: Sistrurus c. catenatus
|
Reply
|
|
by Buzztail1 on February 13, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Billy,
That was a great job of researching and some excellent data.
However...
I would recommend getting those answers in writing, and on letterhead if possible.
Here's why ...
If it was that hard for you to find the definitive answer that you were looking for, it will be equally that hard to prove that it is the right answer and many F&G/DNR/LE officers do not accept "So-and-so, an official from YOUR OFFICE/DEPARTMENT, told me on the phone ..."
I am not trying to be difficult. I am just trying to tell you that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And it would be worth the trouble now instead of after they have confiscated your legal snake while you try to prove their own rules to them.
Good luck,
Karl
|
| |
|
RE: Sistrurus c. catenatus
|
Reply
|
|
by Fishmich on February 13, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
getting it all in writing is for sure a good idea. i want to do this in the best way i can to avoid any problems in the future. i have a few months or maybe more until i will be back in michigan so i need to work on that, and also i need to find out exactly what kind of paperwork i need to prove the snakes lineage. im planning on notifying the dnr and dept. of agriculture beforehand just to make sure everything is being done correctly. thanks for the heads up on getting it in writing.
~Billy
|
| |
|
RE: Sistrurus c. catenatus
|
Reply
|
|
by YoungHerp1 on February 13, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Billy,
thats great news to hear that. im from michigan also. ive always heard that if you "have" any natives you were in trouble, but im going to do some calling and emailing about this also. So i can maybe get soemthing in writing. If you wouldnt mind could you email me with the info i need to get in contact with someone? that would be well apriciated. thanks alot
MIke
|
| |
|
RE: Sistrurus c. catenatus
|
Reply
|
|
by Rob_Carmichael on February 14, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
As the other person said, GET IT IN WRITING AND ON DEPT. LETTERHEAD. Make sure that ANY S.c.catenatus you acquire is truly captive born and get that in writing from the breeder with their letterhead along with the breeder's REAL name, home address, phone number, etc. I would even go so far as to get background information about the adult breeders (were they captive bred?...I sure hope so). Personally, if you have any reservations, just get a western massasauga; they look nearly identical and you won't have to worry so much. There are very few breeders working with easterns so just be very, very careful.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
