Md. Code Regs. 08.03.11.08

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 08.03.11.08 - Sanitary Housing and Shipping Requirements

A. Reptiles and amphibians held in captivity under the authority of this chapter shall be housed under conditions which are humane, safe, and healthy.

B. Housing conditions shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Enclosures shall be designed to:

(a) Provide appropriate lighting, temperatures, humidity, and clean water to meet the physical requirements of the reptile or amphibian,

(b) Keep the reptile or amphibian in complete and continuous captivity,

(c) Restrict the entry of unauthorized persons or predatory animals,

(d) Provide sufficient fresh food and clean water to fulfill the reptile or amphibian's dietary requirements and present the food and water in a manner compatible with the reptile or amphibian's particular eating habits, and

(e) Minimize any potential danger to humans;

(2) Enclosures shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and good repair;

(3) Equipment shall be available for proper storage and disposal of waste material to control vermin, insects, and obnoxious odors;

(4) Effective measures shall be provided to prevent and control infection and infestation of disease, parasites, or vermin;

(5) Adequate shelter shall be provided for the comfort of the animal and, when necessary, for the isolation of diseased reptiles or amphibians; and

(6) Reptiles or amphibians that are housed together shall be maintained in compatible groups without overcrowding.

C. Standards for Shipping and Transportation of Live Reptiles and Amphibians.

(1) Container Design and Maintenance.

(a) Containers used for the transport of live animals shall be designed, constructed, and fitted as appropriate to the species, size, and weight of the animals to be transported. Special attention shall be paid to the avoidance of injury to animals through the use of secure smooth fittings or walls free from sharp protrusions.

(b) Containers shall be designed with the structures necessary to provide protection from adverse weather conditions and to minimize the opportunity for animals to escape.

(c) In order to minimize the likelihood of the spread of infectious disease during transport, containers shall be designed to permit thorough cleaning and disinfection. The cleaning and disinfection shall be completed after animals have been removed from the container.

(d) Containers shall be maintained in good mechanical and structural condition.

(e) Containers shall have adequate ventilation to meet variations in climate and the thermo-regulatory needs of the species to be transported.

(f) For salamanders, frogs, toads, and juvenile turtles, sufficient moisture shall be available and applied to prevent desiccation of the animal. Turtles may not be transported in water.

(2) Provisions for Transport.

(a) Containers shall be adequately designed and positioned during transport so that the containers are securely fastened within the vehicle.

(b) Vehicles shall have adequate ventilation to meet variations in climate and the thermo-regulatory needs of the species being transported.

(c) For salamanders, frogs, toads, and juvenile turtles, sufficient moisture shall be available and applied to prevent desiccation of the animal.

(3) Space allowance considerations shall:

(a) Limit the number of animals that may be transported in a container to only one animal per compartment;

(b) Ensure that each animal is able to assume its natural position during transport, including during loading and unloading, without coming into contact with the roof or upper deck of the container; and

(c) Provide sufficient headroom to allow for adequate airflow over the animals.

(4) Animals may not be stacked upon one another in a container.

Md. Code Regs. 08.03.11.08

Regulations .08 adopted as an emergency provision effective April 1, 1993 (20:8 Md. R. 712); emergency status extended at 20:16 Md. R. 1274 (Emergency provisions are temporary and not printed in COMAR)
Regulations .08 adopted effective December 1, 1993 (20:23 Md. R. 1803)
Regulation .08C adopted effective March 24, 2008 (35:6 Md. R. 697)