Alberta Reptile Laws

[FrogO_Oeyes]

Captive bred makes no difference. Black rats are specifically prohibited. Other subspecies are not, but anything which can be identified as "Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta", or a hybrid or intergrade thereof, is prohibited. Since black rats are not a distinct subspecies, but are actually dark northern populations of three different species, technically, all three species are prohibited by extension [but not in practice]:

Scotophis obsoletus [prohibited because E.obsoleta obsoleta cannot be reliably distinguished]
Scotophis spiloides [prohibited because E.obsoleta obsoleta cannot be reliably distinguished]
Scotophis alleghaniensis [prohibited because E.obsoleta obsoleta cannot be reliably distinguished]

So basically, if it looks at all like a "black rat", it's clearly illegal.

http://cnah.org/pdf_files/969.pdf
http://cnah.org/pdf_files/968.pdf
http://cnah.org/pdf_files/687.pdf
http://cnah.org/pdf_files/1007.pdf

[ToddPeddle]

OK here is the list taken again from the queens printer..
Part 5
Non‑game Animals
Ambystoma macrodactylum (Long‑toed Salamander)
Bufo cognatus (Great Plains Toad)
Scaphiopus bombifrons (Plains Spadefoot Toad)
Bufo hemiophrys (Canadian Toad)
Rana pretiosa [(Western) Spotted Frog]
Chrysemys picta (Western Painted Turtle)
Pituophis melanoleucus [Bull (Gopher) Snake]
Heterodon nasicus (Western Hognose Snake)
Crotalus viridis (Prairie Rattlesnake)

Part 6
Non‑licence Animals
Ambystoma tigrinum (Tiger Salamander)
Bufo boreas [Boreal (Western) Toad]
Pseudacris triseriata (Chorus Frog)
Rana sylvatica (Wood Frog)
Thamnophis sirtalis (Red‑sided Garter Snake)
Thamnophis radix (Plains Garter Snake)
Thamnophis elegans (Wandering Garter Snake)

Schedule 5

(Section 4(1)(h) of this Regulation)

Controlled Animals
NOTES: 1 Animals listed in this Schedule, as a general rule, are described in the left hand column by reference to common or descriptive names and in the right hand column by reference to scientific names. But, in the event of any conflict as to the kind of animals that are listed, a scientific name in the right hand column prevails over the corresponding common or descriptive name in the left hand column.
2 Also included in this Schedule is any animal that is the hybrid offspring resulting from the crossing, whether before or after the commencement of this Schedule, of 2 animals at least one of which is or was an animal of a kind that is a controlled animal by virtue of this Schedule.
3 This Schedule excludes all wildlife animals, and therefore if a wildlife animal would, but for this Note, be included in this Schedule, it is hereby excluded from being a controlled animal.

Part 3
Reptiles (Class Reptilia)
1. SNAPPING TURTLES (Family Chelydridae)
Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina
Alligator Snapping Turtle Macroclemys temmincki
2. FRESHWATER TURTLES (Family Emydidae)
Blanding’s Turtle Emydoidea blandingii
European Pond Turtle Emys orbicularis
Map Turtles Genus Graptemys
3. MUD TURTLES (Family Kinosternidae)
Mud Turtles Genus Kinosternon
4. SOFT‑SHELLED TURTLES (Family Trionychidae)
Soft‑shelled Turtles Genus Trionyx
5. ALL ALLIGATORS AND CAIMANS
(Family Alligatoridae)
Alligators Genus Alligator
Spectacled Caimans Genus Caiman
Black Caiman Melanosuchus niger
Smooth‑fronted Caimans Genus Paleosuchus
6. ALL CROCODILES (Family Crocodylidae)
Crocodiles Genus Crocodylus
African Dwarf Crocodile Osteolaemus tetraspis
Sunda Crocodile
(False Gavial) Tomistoma schlegeli
7. ALL GAVIALS (Family Gavialidae)
Gavial or Gharial Gavialis gangeticus
8. ALL BEADED LIZARDS (Family Helodermatidae)
Gila Monster Heloderma suspectum
Mexican Beaded Lizard Heloderma horridum
9. LIZARDS (Family Lacertidae)
Viviparous Lizard Lacerta vivipara
10. MONITORS (Family Varanidae)
Bengal Monitor Varanus bengalensis
Perentie Monitor Varanum giganteus
Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis
Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus
Crocodile Monitor Varanus salvadorii
Water (Lace) Monitor Varanus salvator
Variegated Monitor Varanus varius
11. LARGE SNAKES (Family Boidae)
Amethystine Python Python (Morelia)
amethystinus
Burmese/Indian Rock
Pythons Python molurus
Oenpelli Python Python (Morelia)
oenpelliensis
Reticulated Python Python reticulatus
African Rock Python Python sebae
Anacondas Genus Eunectes
12. TYPICAL SNAKES (Family Colubridae)

Subfamily Aparallactinae

Ground Vipers Genus Amblyodipsas
Genus Aparallactus
Genus Atractaspis
Genus Calamelaps
Genus Chilorhinophis
Genus Homorelaps
Genus Macrelaps
Genus Micrelaps
Genus Miodan
Genus Polemon

Subfamily Boiginae

Rear-fanged Snakes Genus Amphlorhinus
Genus Apostolepis
Genus Boiga
Genus Chamaetortus
Genus Clelia
Genus Coniophanes
Genus Dipsadoboa
Genus Dispholidus
Genus Erythrolamprus
Genus Geodipsas
Genus Hemirhagerrhis
Genus Hypsiglena
Genus Imantodes
Genus Ithycyphus
Genus Langaha
Genus Leptodeira
Genus Lycodryas
Genus Malpolon
Genus Manalepis
Genus Mimophis
Genus Opisthoplus
Genus Oxbelis
Genus Oxyrhopus
Genus Parapostelepis
Genus Phimophis
Genus Psammodynates
Genus Psammophis
Genus Psammophylax
Genus Siplophis
Genus Telescopus
Genus Thelotornis
Genus Tomodon
Genus Tripanurgos

[ToddPeddle]

Subfamily Colubrinae

American Racer Coluber constrictor
Sharptail Snake Contia tenuis
Smooth Snakes Genus Coronella
Pere David’s Rat Snake Elaphe davidi
Steppe Rat Snake Elaphe dione
Himalayan Trinket Snake Elaphe hodgsoni
Black Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta
Red‑backed Snake Elaphe rufodorsata
Russian Rat Snake Elaphe schrencki
Fox Snake Elaphe vulpina
Hognose Snakes Heterodon platyrhinos,
Heterodon simus
Parrot Snakes Genus Leptophis
Eastern Milksnake Lampropeltis triangulum
triangulum
Pale Milksnake Lampropeltis multistrata
Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis
Diadem Snakes Genus Spalerosophis
Tropical Rat Snakes Genus Spilotes

Subfamily Homalopsinae

Water Snakes Genus Bitia
Genus Cerberus
Genus Enhydris
Genus Erpeton (Herpeton)
Genus Fordonia
Genus Homalopsis
Genus Hurria
Genus Myron

Subfamily Lycodontinae

Wolf Snakes Genus Dinodon
Genus Lycophidion

Subfamily Natricinae

Water Snakes Genus Amastridium
Genus Amphiesma
Ringnecked Snakes Genus Diadophis
Genus Gonyosoma
Genus Helicops
Genus Macropisthodon
Dice Snakes Natrix tesselata
Genus Paraptychophis
Genus Pseudoxenodon
Genus Ptychophis
Genus Rhabdophis
Butler’s Garter Snake Thamnophis butleri
Eastern Ribbon Snakes Thamnophis sauritus
Genus Xenochrophis

Subfamily Xenodontinae

Odd-toothed Snakes Genus Ialtris
Genus Paroxyrhopus
Genus Platynion
Genus Uromacer
Genus Xenodon
13. ALL COBRAS AND ALLIES (Family Elapidae)
Death Adders Genus Acanthophis
Shield-nosed Cobras Genus Aspidelaps
Genus Aspidomorphus
Australian Copperheads Genus Austrelaps
Water Cobras Genus Boulengerina
Kraits Genus Bungarus
Australian Crowned Snakes Genus Cacophis
Oriental Coral Snakes Genus Calliophis
Small-eyed Snakes Genus Cryptophis
Australian Whip Snakes Genus Demansia
Mambas Genus Dendroaspis
Genus Denisonia
Australian Crowned Snakes Genus Drysdalia
Bardick’s Snakes Genus Echiopsis
Little Brown Snakes Genus Elapognathus
Venomous Garter Snakes Genus Elapsoidea
Red-naped Snakes Genus Furina
Australian Brown‑headed
Snakes Genus Glyphodon
Spitting (Ringed) Cobras Genus Hemachatus
Genus Hemiaspis
Genus Hoplocephalus
Slender Coral Snakes Genus Leptomicrurus
Genus Loveridgelaps
Long-glanded Coral Snakes Genus Maticora
Arizona Coral Snakes Genus Micruroides
American Coral Snakes Genus Micrurus
Cobras Genus Naja
Australian Black‑naped
Snakes Genus Neelaps
Tiger Snakes Genus Notechis
Fijian Snakes Genus Ogmodon
King Cobras Genus Ophiophagus
Taipan Genus Oxyuranus
Fierce Snakes Genus Parademansia
Burrowing CobrasGenus Paranaja
Hediger’s Snakes Genus Parapistocalamus
Australian Black Snakes Genus Pseudechis
Forest Cobras Genus Pseudohaje
Australian Brown Snakes Genus Pseudonaja
Muller’s Snakes Genus Rhinoplocephalus
Genus Salomonelaps
Australian Coral Snakes Genus Simoselaps
Myall’s (Curl) Snakes Genus Suta
Genus Toxicocalamus
Rough-scaled Snakes Genus Tropidechis
Genus Unechis
Bandy-bandies Genus Vermicella
Desert Cobras Genus Walterinnesia
14. ALL SEA SNAKES (Family Hydrophiidae)

Subfamily Hydrophiinae

Rudder‑tailed Sea Snakes Genus Acalyptophis
Genus Aipysurus
Genus Disteira
Genus Emydocephalus
Genus Enhydrina
Genus Ephalophsis
Genus Hydrophis
Genus Hydrelaps
Genus Kerilia
Genus Kolpophis
Genus Lapemis
Genus Parahydrophis
Genus Pelamis
Genus Thalassophis

Subfamily Laticaudinae

Sea Kraits Genus Laticauda
15. ALL VIPERS AND ADDERS (Family Viperidae)

Subfamily Azemiopinae

Fea’s Viper Genus Azemiops

Subfamily Viperinae

Vipers/Adders Genus Adenorhinos
Genus Atheris
Genus Bitis
Genus Cerastes
Genus Daboia
Genus Echis
Genus Eristicophis
Genus Pseudocerastes
Genus Vipera

Subfamily Causinae

Toad Vipers Genus Causus
16. ALL PIT VIPERS (Family Crotalidae)
Copperheads/Moccasins Genus Agkistrodon
American Lanceheads Genus Bothrops
Malayan Pit Vipers Genus Calloselasma
Rattlesnakes Genus Crotalus
Sharp-nosed Vipers Genus Deinagkistrodon
Mamushi Genus Gloydius
Hump-nosed Vipers Genus Hypnale
Bushmasters Genus Lachesis
Pygmy Rattlesnakes Genus Sistrurus
Asian Lance-headed
(Bamboo) Vipers Genus Trimeresurus
Wagler’s Vipers Genus Tropidolaemus

[ToddPeddle]

Part 4
Amphibians (Class Amphibia)
1. MOLE SALAMANDERS (Family Ambystomatidae)
Northwest Salamander Ambystoma gracile
Blue‑spotted Salamander Ambystoma laterale
Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum
Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum
Small‑mouthed Salamander Ambystoma texanum
Cope’s Giant Salamander Dicamptodon copei
Pacific Giant Salamander Dicamptodon ensatus
2. LUNGLESS SALAMANDERS
(Family Plethodontidae)
Red‑backed Salamander Plethodon cinereus
Slimy Salamander Plethodon glutinosus
Western Red‑backed
Salamander Plethodon vehiculum
Red Salamanders Genus Pseudotriton
3. WATERDOGS (Family Proteidae)
Northern Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus
4. NEWTS (Family Salamandridae)
Red‑spotted Newt Notopthalmus viridescens
European Fire Newt Salamandra salamandra
Roughskinned Newt Taricha granulosa
Alpine Newt Triturus alpestris
Northern Crested Newt Triturus cristatus
Palmate Newt Triturus helveticus
Common Smooth Newt Triturus vulgaris
5. TRUE TOADS (Family Bufonidae)
American Toad Bufo americanus
Colorado River Toad Bufo alvarius
Marine (Cane) Toad Bufo marinus
Woodhouse’s Toad Bufo woodhousei
6. POISON ARROW FROGS (Family Dendrobatidae)
Poison Arrow Frogs Genus Phyllobates
7. TREE FROGS (Family Hylidae)
Northern Cricket Frog Acris crepitans
Cope’s Grey Tree Frog Hyla chrysoscelis
Spring Peeper Hyla crucifer
Pacific Tree Frog Hyla regilla
8. TRUE FROGS (Family Ranidae)
Red‑legged Frog Rana aurora
American Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana
Green Frog Rana clamitans
Agile Frog Rana dalmatina
Pickeral Frog Rana palustris
Mink Frog Rana septentrionalis
Eurasian Common Frog Rana temporaria

[FrogO_Oeyes]

There is no regulation on breeding of herptiles, although there may be municipal laws regarding "intensive agriculture". That would include such things as a coop full of chickens, a barn full of pigs, a garage full of mice, or a basement full of geckos.

I haven't heard of any recent prosecutions for illegal herps in Alberta. F&W must act on any complaints, and they will act on their own if there is a public threat posed by illegal animals [eg., kraits or perhaps Komodo monitors]. They will also act on at least the more significant violations involving native species. Otherwise, the laws governing exotics in this province have been set up to minimize government involvement and limit it to occasions where there is a genuine concern to the citizens of Alberta. They don't WANT to deal with exotics, so they've minimized the need to.

It is my experience and observation that the usual response of Fish and Wildlife is to give the person possessing illegal animals the opportunity to remove them to a place where they can legally be possessed, such as Reptile World, a licensed rescue, or out of the province.

Violating federal law however, is another kettle of fish. Federal prosecution can be up to $100000 fines AND 5 years in prison, per animal! That's if my memory serves correctly. Federal violations are a bit less likely, and would involve WAPPRIITA and possibly SARA.

[FrogO_Oeyes]

The Act:
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?pag...=9780779738540
The Regulations:
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?pag...=9780779740390
The Wildlife Act and Wildlife Regulations can still be viewed online by visiting the Queen's printer website, selecting the legislation tab, and then searching alphabetically.

[FrogO_Oeyes]

Managed to track down the "Health Act" details again.

ALBERTA REGULATION 238/85
Public Health Act
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES REGULATION

http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?pag...=9780779731732
It still reads:
10(1) No person shall import, sell, offer for sale or otherwise distribute turtles of the genera Pseudemys, Graptemys, Chrysemys or Chelydra.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to post secondary institutions that obtain prior written authorization from the Chief Medical Officer.
AR 238/85 s10;96/2005

A couple reminder notes - this is originally 1985 legislation. Thus, "Pseudemys" in this context could [and IS] taken to include Trachemys as well. Also, although the act states "import", it says so in the context of "otherwise distribute". This could be interpreted [and in practice, it is] to mean "import is ok, if it's for your own use and not to provide them to others".

[FrogO_Oeyes]

Just a few updates regarding reading and interpretting the law...

A number of subspecies of reticulated python, including dwarves, have been named. They are STILL retics, and STILL prohibited! Most are not even considered valid, as their descriptions by Hoser were not properly published.

Burmese pythons have been elevated to full species, Python bivittatus. When the law was written, they were considered part of P.molurus. Application of the law is based on definitions in effect at the time of writing. They're STILL prohibited. Dwarf Burmese are not taxonomically defined so far; but regardless, they are part of P.bivittatus, and also included under the original ban. PROHIBITED.

Morelia amethystina has been split. However, by the same principle as above, ALL of the new species are still BANNED. They were included in the original definition of M.amethystina when it was added to the list, and that's where they stay. You cannot possess M.clastolepis, M.nauta, or M.kinghorni.

Crested newts - are prohibited as "Northern crested newt Triturus cristatus". Although relatively recently raised to a full species, the only "northern" crested newt was T. cristatus cristatus. Since the courts have ruled that BOTH the common AND scientific name MUST apply, all other crested newts are legal, whether as subspecies or full species - T.dobrogicus, T.carnifex, T.karelinii, T.arntzeni. That is, none of these is or ever was "northern".

In a similar but slightly different vein, ALSO prohibited is "red-spotted newt Notophthalmus viridescens". Only N.viridescens viridescens is or ever was "red-spotted". The species as a whole is the "eastern newt", and only one subspecies is known as red-spotted". Since N.v.louisianensis, N.v.piaropicola, and N.v.dorsalis are not "red-spotted", they are legal. This is an identical situation to the garter snakes, where the non-license "Red-sided garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis" is prohibited from sale. Fish and Wildlife considers eastern, red-spotted, valley, San Francisco, maritime, and any other Thamnophis sirtalis to be perfectly legal to possess and sell, because they are not "red-sided" and only T.s.parietalis is.

There are likely other similar issues to address, but three of these have come up in the last 24 hours, so I thought I should spell them out.

[Spankenstyne]

Latest working link for the regs for anyone wishing to view them

http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?pag...=9780779749782

[slievers]

What I find most updated is in regards to the native species. Have they added extra protection to the boreal toad yet? They're also looking at adding all gartersnakes to the "can't keep list".

Non-license animals that are lawfully killed or that are
possessed live in accordance with section 135 of this Regulation,
other than
(a) plains garter snake,
(b) wandering garter snake,
(c) red-sided garter snake, and
(d) bull snake,
are exempt from the application

135(1) A person may possess any live
non-license animal except a raccoon, a skunk or a bat of a kind that
is a wildlife animal.

And the Bufo boreas [Boreal (Western) Toad] is listed as a Non-License animal.