• It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, transport or otherwise bring into the state or to release or introduce in the state any freshwater fish, aquatic invertebrate, marine plant, marine animal, or wild animal life that is not native to the state unless such person shall first secure a permit from the Commission, except fathead minnow, variable platy, coturnix quail, and ring-necked pheasant.  (68-5.001, F.A.C.)
• No person shall import into the state or place in any of the fresh waters of the state any freshwater fish of any species without having first obtained a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  (379.28, F.S.)
• It is unlawful to import for sale or use, or to release within this state, any species of the animal kingdom not indigenous to Florida without having obtained a permit to do so from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  (379.231, F.S.)
• It is unlawful to import or possess any marine plant or marine animal, not indigenous to the state, which, due to the stimulating effect of the waters of the state on procreation, may endanger or infect the marine resources of the state or pose a human health hazard, except as provided in this section.  (379.26, F.S.)

You can read more detailed information about the Florida Statutes at http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ and about the Florida Administrative Code at https://www.flrules.org/default.asp.  Interested people may want to read the rule language for Chapter 68-5, F.A.C.

Wildlife as Personal Pets

Certain species of wildlife are regulated and require a permit for personal possession, including Reptiles of Concern (ROCs), venomous reptiles, Class II and Class III wildlife.  Other species of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife are not allowed to be personally possessed, including Class I wildlife, conditional and prohibited nonnative species.  Certain wildlife species may be personally possessed without a permit.  More detailed information and online permit applications can be found at http://myfwc.com/permits/index.html.

Reptiles of Concern

Reptiles of Concern (ROCs) are nonnative reptile species that have the potential to become established in Florida and can threaten native wildlife, cause economic damage or pose a threat to human safety.  Rules for Reptiles of Concern (ROCs) go into effect on January 1, 2008.  ROCs require a $100 annual permit for personal possession, and any ROC that is 2 inches or greater in diameter must be permanently identified by a microchip (also called a PIT tag).  Microchips can be implanted by local veterinarians who work with nonnative species.  Any person who possesses an ROC that is 2 inches or greater in diameter before January 1, 2008 will have until July 1, 2008 to get their animal microchipped.  Any ROC greater than 2 inches in diameter purchased after January 1, 2008 will need to be microchipped immediately.  The following are the Reptiles of Concern:

1. Burmese python (Python molurus)
2. African rock python (Python sebae)
3. Amethystine python (Morelia amethystinus)
4. Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)
5. Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
6. Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)

Venomous Reptiles

Venomous reptiles require a permit for personal possession.  Cost of the permit is $100 per year.  Owners of venomous reptiles must be at least 18 years of age, must not have been convicted of violating venomous reptile regulations for 3 years prior to their permit application and demonstrate no less than 1 year of experience (no less than 1000 hours) in the husbandry of the species they plan to own or similar species within the same biological family.  Documented experience in zoology or other relevant biological sciences at the college or technical school level or above may substitute for 6 months (or 500 hours) of the required experience.  Exhibitors of venomous reptiles must also post a $10,000 bond, effective July 1, 2007.

Class I Wildlife

Class I species are those that pose a significant danger to people and have specific cage requirements.  They are prohibited from personal possession unless the animal was possessed on or before August 1, 1980.  Permits can be obtained for public exhibition or commercial sale of these animals.  Effective July 1, 2007, exhibitors of Class I wildlife must secure a bond in the amount of $10,000 or guarantee financial responsibility by acquiring a comprehensive general liability insurance with minimum limits of $2 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate.  The FWC will draft future rules to determine how exhibitors of Class I species may meet the bonding requirement.  Although the law requiring the bonding and/or financial responsibility guarantee goes into effect July 1, 2007, exhibitors of Class I species will not have to comply until these rules are drafted.

Class I species are:

1. Chimpanzees (genus Pan)
2. Gorillas (genus Gorilla)
3. Gibbons (genus Hylobates)
4. Drills and mandrills (genus Mandrillus)
5. Orangutans (genus Pongo)
6. Baboons (genus Papaio)
7. Siamangs (genus Symphalangus)
8. Gelada baboons (genus Theropithecus)
9. Snow leopards (Panthera uncia)
10. Leopards (Panthera pardus)
11. Jaguars (Panthera onca)
12. Tigers (Panthera tigris)
13. Lions (Panthera leo)
14. Bears (family Ursidae)
15. Rhinoceros (family Rhinocerotidae)
16. Elephants (family Elephantidae)
17. Hippopotamuses (family Hippopotamidae)
18. Cape buffalos (Syncerus caffer caffer)
19. Crocodiles (except dwarf and Congo) (family Crocodilidae)
20. Gavials (family Gavialidae)
21. Black caimans (Melanosuchus niger)
22. Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis)

Class II Wildlife

Class II species can also pose a danger to people and have specific cage requirements.  They require a permit for personal possession.  Class II species are:

1. Howler monkeys (genus Alouatta)
2. Uakaris (genus Cacajao)
3. Mangabeys (genus Cercocebus)
4. Guenons (genus Ceropithecus)
5. Bearded sakis (genus Chiropotes)
6. Guereza monkeys (genus Colobus)
7. Celebes black apes (genus Cynopithecus)
8. Idris (genus Indri)
9. Macaques (genus Macaca)
10. Langurs (genus Presbytis)
11. Douc langurs (genus Pygathrix)
12. Snub-nosed langurs (genus Phinopithecus)
13. Proboscis monkeys (genus Nasalis)
14. Servals (Leptailurus serval)
15. European and Canadian lynx (Lynx lynx)
16. Cougars, panthers (Puma concolor)
17. Bobcats (Lynx rufus)
18. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jabatus)
19. Caracals (Caracal caracal)
20. African golden cats (Profelis aurata)
21. Temminck's golden cats (Profelis temmincki)
22. Fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrina)
23. Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis)
24. Clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa)
25. Coyotes (Canis latrans)
26. Gray wolves (Canis lupus) (including wolf x domestic hybrids which are 25 percent or less domestic dog)
27. Red wolves (Canis rufus) (including wolf x domestic hybrids which are 25 percent or less domestic dog)
28. Asiatic jackals (Canis aureus)
29. Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas)
30. Side-striped jackals (Canis adustus)
31. Indian dholes (Cuon alpinus)
32. African hunting dogs (Lycaon pictus)
33. Wolverines (Gulo gulo)
34. Honey badgers (Mellivora capensis)
35. American badgers (Taxides taxus)
36. Old World badgers (Meles meles)
37. Binturongs (Arctictis binturong)
38. Hyenas (all species) (family Hyaenidae)
39. Dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
40. Alligators, caimans (except American alligator) (family Alligatoridae)
41. Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
42. Cassowary (Casuarius spp.)

Class III Wildlife

Class III species require a permit for personal possession or for exhibition and sale of those species.  Class III wildlife are all species that are not listed as Class I or Class II, and not among those species that are specifically listed as not requiring a permit for personal possession.  There is no formal list of Class III species, so people must check the lists of Class I, Class II, and species not requiring a permit to determine if an animal in question is a Class III species and thus requires a permit.  Florida residents 16 years and older may apply for a no-cost permit to possess Class III wildlife as personal pets.   Also, a special permit is needed to import from another state leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis), African spurred tortoises (G. sulcata) or Bell’s hingeback tortoises (Kinixys belliana).

Wildlife Not Requiring a Permit

The following species do not require a permit for personal possession as long as no other Rule or Statute applies, such as Rules for Threatened or Endangered Species:

Reptiles, amphibians (nonvenomous native species that are not listed as endangered, threatened, or species of concern; nonvenomous nonnative species that are not listed as Reptiles of Concern or Conditional Species)

1. Gerbils, hedgehogs
2. Honey possums, sugar gliders, brushtailed possums
3. Shell parakeets
4. Rats and mice
5. Canaries
6. Moles; shrews
7. Rabbits
8. Squirrels; chipmunks
9. Ferrets (domestic; European)
10. Lovebirds
11. Guinea pigs
12. Cockatiels
13. Hamsters
14. Parrots
15. Finches
16. Myna birds
17. Toucans
18. Doves: ringed, ruddy, and diamond
19. Button quail
20. Prairie dogs
21. Chinchillas

Conditional and Prohibited Nonnative Species

Conditional Nonnative Wildlife

Conditional nonnative species (formerly referred to as restricted species) are considered to be dangerous to the ecology and/or the health and welfare of the people of Florida.  These species are not allowed to be personally possessed, although exceptions are made by special permit from the Executive Director for research, commercial import/export or exhibition purposes.  Facilities with an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration and authorization to possess conditional species are not required to obtain the special permit, however a special permit from the FWC is needed to import conditional species for use under an Aquaculture Certificate.  Conditional nonnative species are:

1. Conditional nonnative freshwater aquatic species
   1. Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)
   2. Arowanas [family Osteoglossidae, all species except silver arawana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)]
   3. Bony-tongue fishes [family Arapaimidae, (Arapaima gigas and Heterotis niloticus)]
   4. Dorados (genus Salminus, all species)
   5. Freshwater stingrays (family Potamotrygonidae, all species)
   6. Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella); restrictions and requirements described in Rule 68A 23.088, F.A.C.
   7. Nile perches (Genus Lates, all species). For facilities that are operating under permit or a certificate of registration, but which are not cultivating Nile perches as of April 11, 2007, and for facilities which are issued permits or certificates of registration after April 11, 2007, Nile perches:
      1. Shall be held only in indoor facilities
      2. Shall not be taken on a fee or for-hire basis using hook and line or rod and reel
   8. Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
   9. Snail or black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)
   10. Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), except that Oreochromis aureus may be possessed, cultured, and transported without permit in Citrus County in the North Central Region; and all counties of the Northeast, South and Southwest Regions
   11. Wami tilapia (Oreochromis hornorum)
   12. Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)
   13. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
   14. Walking catfish (Clarias batrachus)
   15. Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus; tank culture systems only)
   16. Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), except that blue catfish may be possessed in the Suwannee River and its tributaries and north and west of the Suwannee River
   17. Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and white river crayfish (Procambarus zonangulas), except that pond aquaculture is prohibited (red swamp crayfish and white river crayfish may be possessed west of the Apalachicola River or imported for direct sale to food wholesalers and food retailers for re-sale to consumers without permit)
   18. Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
       1. Red-eared sliders in personal possession prior to July 1, 2007 may continue in the possession of the owner
       2. Red-eared sliders less than four inches carapace length may not be possessed after July 1, 2008 without a permit
       3. Red-eared sliders with distinctive aberrant color patterns, including albino or amelanistic specimens, may be possessed without a permit otherwise required by the rule
2. Conditional nonnative mammals
   1. Nutria (Myocastor coypu)

Prohibited Nonnative Wildlife

Prohibited nonnative species are considered to be dangerous to the ecology and/or the health and welfare of the people of Florida.  These species are not allowed to be personally possessed.  Very limited exceptions may by made by special permit from the Executive Director for exhibition by AZA or AAM accredited facilities or for research, although no exceptions are made for piranha and pirambeba; these two species are banned and not allowed to be possessed by anyone at anytime. Prohibited nonnative species are:

1. Prohibited nonnative freshwater aquatic species
   1. African electric catfishes (family Malapteruridae, all species)
   2. African tigerfishes (subfamily Hydrocyninae, all species)
   3. Airbreathing catfishes (family Clariidae, all species except Clarias batrachus)
   4. Candiru catfishes (family Trichomycteridae, all species)
   5. Freshwater electric eels (family Electrophoridae, all species)
   6. Lampreys (family Petromyzonidae, all species)
   7. Piranhas and pirambebas (subfamily Serrasalminae, all species)
   8. Snakeheads (family Channidae, all species)
   9. Tilapias (Genera Tilapia, Sarotherodon and Oreochromis, all species except Oreochromis aureus, Oreochromis hornorum, Oreochromis mossambicus, and Oreochromis niloticus)
   10. Trahiras or tigerfishes (family Erythrinidae, all species)
   11. Airsac catfishes (family Heteropneustidae, all species)
   12. Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)
   13. Australian crayfish (genus Cherax, all species except Cherax quadricarinatus cultured in a closed tank system
   14. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)
2. Prohibited nonnative mammals
   1. African giant pouched rats (Genus Cricetomys, all species)
3. Prohibited nonnative marine species
   1. Mitten crabs (genus Eriocheir, all species)
   2. Sea snakes (Family Hydrophiidae, all species), except that sea snakes may be possessed as described in 68-5.001 (5)
   3. Weeverfishes (Family Trachinidae, all species).
   4. Stone fishes (Genus Synanceia, all species).