Licensing and Regulations
for Reptiles and Amphibians
(Link to the PDF)

The ODNR 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. 

WHEN DO YOU NEED A LICENSE AND WHAT CAN YOU LEGALLY DO?

WHAT YOU CANNOT DO:

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

• REPTILES
• AMPHIBIANS 

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 oramphibian, 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
• SNAKES
• SALAMANDERS
• FROGS & TOADS 

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITHOUT A LICENSE?

You do not need a reptile and amphibian propagating license to:

• Harvest bullfrogs, green frogs, softshell turtles or snapping turtles in accordance with O.A.C. 1501:31-13-05 (a fishing license is required).
• 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, as an Ohio resident, 17 years of age or younger.
• Collect or possess nonendangered reptiles and/or am­phibians for research or education ONLY by 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. A detailed report must be provided to the Division regarding all collection activities by March 15th, annually (see “Research or Education” discussion below). 

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 of any taxa of 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, and number of native reptiles or amphibians received or sold, the birth dates of captive born animals, and the date, location and length of all wild-captured taxa,

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 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.

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 held in captivity when the animal reaches the following size:

• snakes with a snout-vent length of 18 inches or greater

• turtles with a straight carapace length of four or more inches

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

HOW TO GET AN APPLICATION OR 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 below 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.

LIST OF NATIVE OHIO AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES