For each additional animal, increase original floor area and pool size by 25 percent. For a single animal, a cage which shall permit the animal to turn and stand on all fours, or stand erect, with head clearance, confined in such a manner so that no animal can injure another. 11, 1990; Transferred from 39-6.0021; Amended Aug. 27, 2009. Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements. (a) For one animal, a cage 20 feet by 20 feet, 8 feet high. change, Nov. 13, 2019. 2. They are tall and skinny, with cheetah-like patterns on their coat. In Florida, a wide variety of wild animals are legal to keep as pets. (1) Facility requirements: All persons licensed to keep, possess, or exhibit venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern shall provide safe, secure and proper enclosures for said reptiles. According to MSN, these pets are banned in the Sunshine State: chimpanzees, tigers, lions, crocodiles, jaguars, leopards, venomous reptiles. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's decision that the U.S. 68A-6.0041. 9, Fla. (a) For one animal, a cage 20 feet by 10 feet, 8 feet high. change, Nov. 13, 2019. (b) Indoor facilities -- Potential escape routes shall be equipped with wire or grating not less than 11 1/2 gauge or equivalent. Const., 379.303, 379.304, 379.305, 379.372, 379.373, 379.374, 379.3761, 379.3762 FS. In Florida, there are a number of exotic animals that are legal to own as pets. BANS take, possession and sale of federally listed endangered and threatened species and state threatened species. Personal pet permits are only issued for animals which are captive bred and are obtained from a legal licensed source. Record of identification including PIT tag numbers where applicable, along with information about the specimen being identified (species, method of identification, specimen name or number, gender and age) must be maintained in the possessor's records for as long as the specimen is possessed. The notification in writing may be delivered by fax at (850)414-8212, or by mail or hand delivery to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600. They'll also eat fruit, some vegetables, rodents, and eggs. It is important to note, however, that there are a number of regulations and restrictions that come with owning an exotic pet. Hybrid cats consist of the breeds Savannah cat (serval hybrid), Bengal cat (Asian Leopard Cat hybrid) and the jungle cat hybrid. (b) Safety record: The application shall include a notarized statement which details the complete safety record and documents all of the known safety incidents or escapes involving the elephant identified in the ride authorization request. a. A copy of such record shall be provided to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, upon annual renewal of the license issued in accordance with section 379.3761, F.S., and authorizing possession of such wildlife. (d) The amendments to the facility requirements in subsection (1), of this rule, shall be effective December 31, 2016, but shall not apply to those facilities licensed to possess venomous reptiles prior to that date. (I) For up to two animals, a cage 4 feet by 4 feet, 4 feet high. Depending on the species, exotic pet ownership can entail a great many risks. 1. The facility shall contain a buffer zone of not less than thirty-five (35) feet between the caged wildlife and the facility property line. In lieu of a stout closely woven cloth sack, the venomous reptile may be contained in a trap, container or box of solid construction which is locked or otherwise secured. (9) Lock/locked -- a device operated by a key, combination, key card or other locking mechanism approved by the Commission to prevent unauthorized intrusion and make the primary enclosure, secondary containment or building(s) inaccessible to unauthorized personnel. The Best Exotic Pets in Florida | University Animal Clinic The environment or devices shall be non-injurious, and may include, but are not limited to ambient temperature, hot rocks, artificial lights, natural sunlight and heat strips. Amended Jan. 11, 2023. Each enclosure shall be designed to encourage uninterrupted flight by incorporating a center structure to impede cross flights. Finally, you need to make sure that you can provide for the monkeys needs, including food, water, and shelter. In this instance, information as specified in paragraphs (c)-(m) above must accompany the Class I or Class II wildlife while in travel status in Florida and shall describe the course of action to be taken in the event of a critical incident or natural disaster in Florida. The okapi is generally much smaller than the African giraffes you know and love, featuring dark coats and striped legs. FWC says Burmese pythons and the other 15 exotic species are a significant threat to Floridas ecology, economy and human health and safety. They weigh about 20-40 pounds, which makes them about the size of a medium dog. 2. 68A-6.0173. They require more care than any average pet but make quite a good pet for those who like rodents and are willing to put in the work! For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 500 square feet, 8 feet high. Some people like to keep fruit bats as pets in Florida. 3. For performing wildlife possessed by traveling zoos and other traveling acts, wildlife shall be housed in cages or enclosures that meet or exceed the specifications as provided in this Chapter, whenever such wildlife is housed in such travel cages or enclosures for more than 90 days. Nursing young may be maintained with their parents with no increase in required cage size for the adult animal for up to twelve weeks, provided that documentation is available to show the age of the young. Such cash bond shall be refunded to the exhibitor in instances of non-issuance or denial of the initial license application; or the exhibitor has submitted a request for refund to include a notarized statement that they no longer exhibit venomous reptiles. Transfer of Wildlife and Record Keeping Requirements. Florida snakes: Here are the 6 most dangerous. Transportation Requirements for Captive Wildlife. For one or two tortoises or box turtles, an enclosure with a floor area 10 times the shell size of the largest specimen in the enclosure. 1. You'll have to prove you have the necessary experience with the animal and proper habitat setup. 2. Some exotic animals in Class II and Class III categories can be kept as personal pets most will require you to have a permit showing you have the proper facilities and the experience necessary to care for them. For each additional specimen increase perimeter by 10 percent. For each additional specimen, increase perimeter by 10 percent. (a) For one or two animals, a paddock enclosing 500 square feet, 6 feet high. 9, Fla. Const. 68A-6.0071. (d) Large arboreal monkeys (e.g., howlers, spiders, woolly, woolly spider). Permit: Not required and they can be purchased in a number of pet shops. Structural barriers may be constructed from materials such as fencing, moats, landscaping, or close-mesh wire, provided that materials used are safe and effective in preventing public contact. (3) Sanitation and Nutritional Requirements: (a) Sanitation, water disposal, and waste disposal shall be in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Fish and Wildlife's Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. It's also illegal to own cheetahs, komodo dragons, bears. Applicants who fail to pass the written examination after two (2) attempts shall wait six (6) months from the date of the last examination to retake the examination. b. There are a few things you need to keep in mind, however. Public Contact with Captive Wildlife. Well, one in particular at least: Aptly named Baby Luv by owner Paris Hilton, this medium-sized pet proved to be not so suitable for red carpet photo ops. change, Sept. 20, 2021. (g) The size (in acres) of the property on which the facility is located, unless otherwise exempt pursuant to subsection 68A-6.010(4), F.A.C. They are native to Australia and are believed to be the last descendants of a now extinct group of marsupials. Such injury shall be reported immediately, or as soon as practicable, to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement. University Animal Clinic specializes in providing exotic pet care for alltypes of exotic pets. Some examples of Class II animals in Florida include coyotes, jackals, badgers, wolverines, servals, caracals, and more. For one or two animals, a cage 28 feet by 24 feet, 10 feet high. (3) Lesser cats (e.g., bobcats, lynx, ocelots, caracal, serval, margay, fishing cats, jungle cats, Teminick's cats, golden cats). 68A-6.017. 4. Such documentation shall include: (a) The name and complete address of the recipient. They only reach the size of a medium-sized dog. If you do find one in the wild who has been injured, contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator to take the animal in. It's not just Florida.". (d) Caging considered unsafe or otherwise not in compliance herewith shall be reconstructed or repaired within 30 days after notification of such condition. 30, 2000, Jan. 1, 2008; Amended Aug. 27, 2009. Tech. 'Snake-pocalypse? Hybrid Cats. (b) Such facilities housing wildlife must maintain such wildlife in cages or enclosures which meet the structural requirements as specified in Rules 68A-6.010 and 68A-6.011, F.A.C. 2. Such authorization shall be applied for annually with the license issued under Section 379.3761, F.S. 1. Perching birds shall be provided with a perch of a diameter sufficient to prevent the meeting of the bird's claws, and of sufficient height to prevent floor contact. Each cage shall have horizontal climbing apparatus. Any outbuilding so used shall be equipped with a safety entrance. Each cage shall also have climbing apparatus. For one or two animals, a cage or enclosure 4 feet by 4 feet, 6 feet high. If a viewing panel is used as a portion of an exterior wall of an outdoor open-topped enclosure, such panel shall be constructed of a minimum of one-quarter (1/4) inch thick, tempered, safety glass. The possessor shall indemnify and save harmless the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for payment of all expenses relative to the capture, transport, boarding, veterinary care, or other costs associated with or incurred due to seizure or custody of Class I wildlife. We cannot afford to have that work jeopardized by invasive species," said Chris Farrell, Northeast Florida policy associate for Audubon Florida. If no Class III wildlife is currently possessed, then the planned inventory shall be provided, identified by species. 68A-6.0022. Amended Sept. 30, 2019. Commercialization of Wildlife; Bonding or Financial Responsibility Guarantee. Loud activity and noises, especially during daytime hours, the time they most often sleep, can be incredibly stressful for them. (14) No permit shall be required to possess the following wildlife for personal use, unless possession of a species is otherwise regulated by other rules of the Commission: (a) Reptiles or amphibians (nonvenomous, unprotected). The animal's cage or enclosure shall be as follows: 1. 68A-6.01214. And dealing with tegu lizards alone consumes a third of the agency's budget for managing invasive species. They are somewhat similar to a cheetah and are often mistaken as such. Skunks are popular for exotic mammals, and they are said to be one of the "easier" exotic animals to care for. (7) Disaster and Critical Incident Plans: Applicants for permits to possess wildlife in captivity as authorized pursuant to Section 379.3761 or 379.303, F.S., or the provisions of this chapter shall document in writing a course of action to be taken in preparation for disasters or critical incidents. Now that we have mentioned the top ten legal exotic animals in Florida, are there any that really caught your eye? If a viewing panel is used as a portion of an exterior wall of a room or out building serving as secondary containment, that viewing panel shall not also serve as one of the venomous reptile primary enclosure walls. (b) For each additional bird, increase original floor area 10 percent. (b) In lieu of a surety bond, a person may submit a cash bond to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to satisfy the performance bond requirement. b. Arboreal species of snakes or lizards shall be provided with a perch of sufficient height to allow for such specimen to perch or bask without any portion of its body or tail touching the floor, sides or roof of the enclosure. (b) Medium (e.g., medium-sized parrots, lories and large conures including Amazons, Patagonian and similar sized birds).For one or two birds, a cage 18 inches by 18 inches, 2 feet high. (l) Location of storage and/or contact information for obtaining supplies. First, you need to make sure that you have the appropriate permits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Documentation of film specifications shall be available for inspection by Commission personnel. (a) For one or two animals, a cage 24 feet by 10 feet, 8 feet high. 7. The exhibitor shall indemnify and save harmless the injured party if an injury occurs or other damage results from exhibited reptiles. Alabama. But to get one of these, you have to show that you have plenty of experience and have the proper means to provide a good and safe habitat for the animal. (d) The complete facility address where the wildlife is located to include city, state, and zip code. Only several birds and aquarium-dwelling species are legal exotic pets in this unique state, with peafowl (a.k.a peacocks and peahens) being considered poultry. Injurious species under the U.S. 2. These adorable tiny creatures are known to be the smallest marsupial in the world. (b) Records of acquisition, which shall include the following: 2. (1) The Commission hereby establishes the following categories of wildlife including their taxonomic successors and subspecies thereof: 3.