ODNR Division of Wildlife - Wild Resources - Laws and Regulations

Licensing and Regulations for Reptiles and Amphibians

The Division of Wildlife adopted a regulation, Ohio Administrative Code (O.A.C.) Section 1501: 31-25-04, concerning the possession, purchase, sale, or trade of reptiles and amphibians native to our state. The purpose of this regulation is to protect and conserve native reptiles and amphibians while maintaining the educational and economic benefits derived from them. The following information should aid you in understanding how you can legally possess reptiles and amphibians native to Ohio.

Read the changes in reptile and amphibian captivity laws effective January 1, 2011.

What you can do with a license
What you cannot legally do
List of allowable wild-captured native reptiles and amphibians
What you can do without a license
Record keeping and annual reports
Biosecurity for field work (reasearch)
Permanently marking captive snakes and turtles
Application to purchase PIT tag
List of native Ohio amphibians and reptiles

What You Can Legally Do with a License

spring peeper A propagating license application must be requested from the Division of Wildlife within 10 days after taking possession of any native reptile, amphibian or wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta).

With a propagating license, except for state endangered species, an Ohio resident may possess:

four total individuals of each wild-captured native reptile or amphibian from the list below entitled “Wild-captured Native Reptiles and Amphibians”; and/or
an unlimited number of animals captively produced or legally obtained from out of state, with proper documentation.

A $40 commercial propagating license is required for people wishing to sell, offer for sale, trade, or barter native reptiles or amphibians which have been captively produced, legally obtained from out of state, or are the offspring of wild-captured animals. With this license, the license holder may possess for sale, trade or barter an unlimited number of reptiles and amphibians that are captively produced or legally obtained, with proper documentation.

A $25 noncommercial propagating license is required for people who permanently possess native reptiles or amphibians but do not intend to sell, offer for sale, trade or barter animals. The license holder may possess an unlimited number of reptiles and/or amphibians of which only four total individuals of each reptile or amphibian have been taken from the wild.

Except for bullfrogs, green frogs, snapping or softshell turtles that can be harvested with a fishing license, a nonresident cannot take from the wild native reptiles or amphibians, live or dead.

Reptiles or amphibians taken from the wild in Ohio may NOT be bought, offered for sale, traded, bartered, or given as a gift.

What You Cannot Legally Do

No endangered reptiles or amphibians listed below may be possessed, bred, or sold except in accordance with O.R.C 1531.25 and O.A.C. 1501:31-23-01.

Protected Reptiles unlawful to possess

Copperbelly watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta)
Plains gartersnake (Thamnophis radix)
Lake Erie watersnake (Nerodia sipedon insularum)
Eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus)
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Protected Amphibians unlawful to possess

Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
Green salamander (Aneides aeneus)
Cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga)
Eastern spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii)

A reptile or amphibian that has been captively produced or is not native to Ohio may not be released into the wild. Only reptiles/amphibians that were taken from the wild may be released back into the wild and only if:

they have not been held in captivity, in the same enclosure, with any other reptile or amphibian, except when used as a food for another captive reptile or amphibian, and
they have not been in captivity for more than 30 days, and
they are released near the point of capture, or, you first have written authorization from the chief of the Division of Wildlife.

Wild-Captured Native Reptiles and Amphibians

Only Ohio residents may possess a total of four individuals from any of the following reptile or amphibian species or any hybrids taken from the wild.

Turtles

Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)
Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata)
Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)
Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Lizards & Skinks

Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps)
Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)
Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
Little Brown Skink/Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis)

Snakes

Queensnake (Regina septemvittata)
Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon)
Northern Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi dekayi)
Midland Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi wrightorum)
Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata)
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)
Butler’s Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri)
Common Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus)
Northern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis)
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Eastern Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae valeriae)
Northern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii)
Midwestern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus helenae)
Eastern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus amoenus)
Northern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor constrictor)
Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii)
Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis)
Eastern Ratsnake/Black Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)
Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum)
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

Salamanders

Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
Smallmouth Salamander (Ambystoma texanum)
Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri)
Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus)
Mountain Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus)
Redback Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Northern Ravine Salamander (Plethodon richmondi)
Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)
Kentucky Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus duryi)
Northern Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus)
Midland Mud Salamander (Pseudotriton montanus diastictus)
Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber ruber)
Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata)
Longtail Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)
Southern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera)

Frogs & Toads

Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi)
Northern Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer crucifer)
Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)
Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata)
Mountain Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brachyphona)
Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)
Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)
Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates utricularia)
Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvatica)
Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri)
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)

What You Can Do Without a License

You do not need a reptile and amphibian propagating license to harvest bullfrogs, green frogs, softshell turtles or snapping turtles (a fishing license is required).
A youth, aged 17 or younger, who is an Ohio resident, may possess without a license not more than four individuals or 25 eggs, tadpoles, or larvae of each native reptile or amphibian, live or dead which have been taken from the wild, legally obtained from out of state or captively produced.
Permanent establishments that are accredited by the American Zoological Association (AZA) or other Division of Wildlife approved museum, scientific, or educational institution in accordance with all applicable regulations may collect or possess nonendangered reptiles and/or amphibians for research or education ONLY. A detailed report must be provided to the Division regarding all collection activities by March 15th, annually (see “Research or Education” discussion below).

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Record Keeping and Annual Reports

Commercial and Noncommercial Propagating License Holders

All propagating license holders must retain a certificate of origin, a bill of sale, receipted invoice, or other Division of Wildlife approved evidence of lawful acquisition for each individual reptile or amphibian captively produced or legally obtained from out of state. Accurate records for all animals, including wild-captured, must be maintained for five years by the license holder and be available for inspection by a representative of the Division of Wildlife at all reasonable hours. Records must include:

Common and scientific name, number of native reptiles or amphibians received or sold, birth dates of captive born animals, and the date, location and length of all wild-captured animals,
Date of the transaction and complete name and address of the person from whom an animal was purchased (including the seller’s propagating license number) or to whom the animal was sold, traded, bartered or given as a gift, and
Unique passive transponder (PIT) code of implanted snakes and/or turtles.

Research or Education

Permanent establishments that are accredited by the American Zoological Association or other Division of Wildlife approved museums, scientific, or educational institutions in accordance with all applicable regulations must submit an annual report. The detailed report must be provided to the Division regarding all collection activities by March 15th annually, which includes a listing of all native reptiles and amphibians in possession, by species, sex, length, quantity, purpose for possession, and date and where or from whom acquired.

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Biosecurity for Herpetofauna Field Work

The Division of Wildlife requires the implementation of basic disinfecting procedures designed to prevent the unintended spread of pathogens between sites. At a minimum, persons conducting herpetofauna field activities must adhere to the following protocol: Once sampling is complete and before moving to a new site, all field equipment (i.e., boots, rubber gloves, nets, traps, tripods, water quality instruments, etc) that comes into contact with animals, surface waters, or soils shall be washed and disinfected. All debris and mud must be scrubbed off prior to disinfectant application, because organic matter and soil can reduce its effectiveness. Disinfection is accomplished by putting 4 ounces of bleach in 1 gallon of clean water and using the solution to rinse off all field equipment prior to going to another site. The bleach solution should be allowed to evaporate from the equipment, or rinsed off after a minimum of 15-minutes of contact.

When field work is completed for the day/night, equipment and personal gear should be thoroughly washed and disinfected again. Equipment and gear should be hung and allowed to completely dry. In many cases, drying serves as a means of inactivating pathogens. Bleach breaks down with exposure to air, sunlight and organic material, thus bleach solutions should not be stored or used after 5 days.

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Permanently Marking Captive Snakes and Turtles

A unique passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag must be implanted under the skin of all live native snakes and turtles prior to sale, barter, trade, or gift.

PIT tags may be implanted by any person authorized by the owner. Only PIT tags that can be read by an “AVID Mini Tracker” reader may be implanted.

How to Implant a PIT Tag

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Application to Purchase PIT Tags

A “Wild Animal Propagation” license application (Form 170) may be obtained from any District Wildlife Office or by contacting the wildlife officer assigned to your county of residence.

Individual, disposable, sterile PIT tags are available for purchase from the Division of Wildlife for $10.00 per unit. Complete the form available by clicking here, and include it with a check or money order made payable to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Please write your current propagating license number on your check and include $10.00 for each PIT tag.

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List of Native Ohio Amphibians And Reptiles

Amphibians

*Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
*Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
Smallmouth Salamander (Ambystoma texanum)
Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri)
Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus)
Mountain Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus)
Redback Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Northern Ravine Salamander (Plethodon richmondi)
Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)
Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
Kentucky Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus duryi)
Northern Spring Salamander (Gyriniophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus)
Midland Mud Salamander (Pseudotriton montanus diasticus)
Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber ruber)
*Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus)
Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata)
Longtail Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)
*Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifuga)
Southern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera)
Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri)
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
*Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii)
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi)
Northern Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer crucifer)
Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)
Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata)
Mountain Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brachyphona)
Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana)
Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota)
Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)
Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)
Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates utricularia)
Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvatica)

Reptiles

Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)
Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)
Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)
Ouachita Map Turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis)
Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata)
Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Eastern Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera spinifera)
Midland Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica mutica)
Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
Little Brown Skink/Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis)
Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)
Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps)
Common/European Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Queensnake (Regina septemvittata)
Kirtland’s Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)
Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon)
*Lake Erie Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon insularum)
*Copper-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta)
Northern Brownsnake/DeKay's Snake (Storeria dekayi dekayi)
Midland Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi wrightorum)
Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata)
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)
*Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix)
Butler’s Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri)
Shorthead Garter Snake (Thamnophis brachystoma)
Common Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus)
Northern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis)
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Eastern Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae valeriae)
Northern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii)
Midwestern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus helenae)
Eastern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus amoenus)
Northern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor constrictor)
Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii)
Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus)
Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis)
Eastern Ratsnake/Black Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)
Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis gloydi)
Eastern Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigra)
Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum)
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
*Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus)
*Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

*indicates state endangered species

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