250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-3.17

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 250-RICR-40-05-3.17 - Appendix A: List of Exempt Exotic Animals and Native Wild Animals

A. This list identifies those species of wild animals which are exempt from the permit provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 4-18, and may be kept without a possession permit from the Department provided that all provisions of applicable statutes and this Part are satisfied. Species not listed, or which are explicitly identified as requiring a possession permit from the Department, are not considered exempt and shall require a valid possession permit per the specifications of this Part. The inclusion of a species on this listing does not obviate the necessity for the obligation to comply with any applicable requirements under Federal, State, or local laws, including those pertaining to endangered species and State export restrictions. This appendix may be modified as need.

1. List of Invertebrates:

a. Insects: All species of insects are exempt from the requirement for an exotic animal possession permit unless it is considered a nuisance species, invasive species, or is otherwise prohibited from importation by Federal or State laws that restrict said importation. The list of prohibited insects is published by the USDA at the following URL http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/main.shtml under the heading of "Invasive Species." Possession of any animal on this list requires the possession of a valid exotic animal possession permit.

b. Other Invertebrates: All other invertebrates except those specifically listed below are exempt from the requirement for an exotic animal possession permit unless it is considered a nuisance species, invasive species, or is otherwise prohibited from importation by Federal or State laws that restrict said importation.

c. Possession of the following invertebrates is prohibited:

(1) Zebra Mussels ( Dreissena polymorpha, D. bugensis ),

(2) Spiny Waterflea (Bythotrephes cederstroemi ),

(3) Fishhook Waterflea (Cercopagis pengoi),

(4) All non-indigenous crayfish,

(5) Asiatic Clam (Corbicula sp. ) Live specimens of this genus are prohibited. Specimens that are frozen, cooked, or otherwise prepared for human consumption are exempt from the permitting requirement.

2. List of Fish:

a. All aquarium trade fish, other than those listed below as prohibited, may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except endangered species. The Division of Fish and Wildlife may have additional Regulations if the species of fish is considered to be native or nuisance.

b. Possession of the following species of fish is prohibited:

(1) Grass Carp or White Amur (Ctenopharyngdon idella),

(2) Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus),

(3) Walking Catfish (Clarias spp. and all members of the family Clariidae),

(4) Snakeheads (Channidae and Parachannidae ),

(5) Black Carp (Mylopharyngodaon piceus),

(6) Round Goby ( Neogobius melanostomus),

(7) Tubenose Goby (Proterhinus marmoratus),

(8) Ruffe ( Gymnocephalus cernuus).

3. List of Amphibians:

a. The Rhode Island DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife considers all exotic amphibians to be a potential nuisance, vector for disease, or a threat to native fauna. All retail amphibian vendors must be in compliance with § 3.7(H) of this Part. Any person in possession of an exotic amphibian must house the animal indoors at all times and in a manner that will prevent escape or liberation into the wild.

b. The possession of native amphibians is restricted to those institutions identified within § 3.7(C) of this Part, and as exempted per § 3.8 of this Part. Terrestrial amphibians considered native to Rhode Island and which possession as pets is prohibited include the following:

(1) American Bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeian us),

(2) American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus),

(3) Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus),

(4) Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii),

(5) Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum),

(6) Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri),

(7) Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor),

(8) Marbled Salamander ( Ambystoma opacum),

(9) Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus),

(10) Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans ),

(11) Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens),

(12) Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus ),

(13) Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata ),

(14) Pickerel Frog ( Lithobates palustris),

(15) Eastern Newt ( Notophthalmus viridescens ),

(16) Spotted Salamander ( Ambystoma maculatum),

(17) Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer),

(18) Wood Frog ( Lithobates sylvatica).

4. List of Reptiles:

a. Turtles:

(1) All exotic species of turtles may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit, except endangered species. § 3.17(A)(4)(a) ((2)) of this Part for a list of native turtle species. Possession of the following species requires an exotic animal possession permit:

(AA) Argentina or Chaco Tortoise ( Geochelone chilensis),

(BB) Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and all other species in the genus Gopherus ,

(CC) Pancake Tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri).

(2) The possession of native turtles is restricted to those institutions identified within § 3.7(C) of this Part, and as exempted per § 3.8 of this Part. Turtles considered native to Rhode Island and which possession as pets is prohibited include the following:

(AA) Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina),

(BB) Eastern Musk Turtle ( Sternotherus odoratus),

(CC) Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta),

(DD) Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina),

(EE) Diamond-backed Terrapin ( Malaclemys terrapin),

(FF) Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata),

(GG) Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta).

b. Snakes:

(1) All venomous snakes require an exotic animal possession permit. Refer to § 3.17(A)(4)(a) ((2)) of this Part for a list of native snake species.

(2) The following exotic species of snakes may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except endangered species and the specific exceptions listed below:

(AA) All species of boas and pythons (family Boidae), may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except those species that are endangered, and except the Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus), Green Tree Python ( Chondropython spp.), African Rock Python (Python sebae ), Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus ) and all species of Anaconda (Eunectes spp.).

(BB) Shield-tailed Snakes, Sunbeam Snakes, and others in the families Uropeltidae and Xenopeltidae may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit.

(CC) Worm Snakes, Thread Snakes, and others in the families Typhlopidae, Leptotyphlopidae, and Anomalepidae may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit.

(DD) Snakes of the family Colubridae, as follows may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit:

(i) Asian Rat Snakes (Elaphe spp. and Ptyas spp. and Zaocys spp. and Bogetophis spp.),

(ii) Bird Snake or Puffing Snake ( Pseustes spp .),

(iii) Brown and Redbelly Snakes (Storeria spp .),

(iv) Diadem Snakes (Spalerosophis spp .),

(v) Glossy Snakes (Arizona spp .),

(vi) Gopher and Pine Snakes ( Pituophis spp .),

(vii) Green Snakes (Opheodrys spp .),

(viii) Ground Snakes (Sonora spp .),

(ix) House Snakes ( Boaedon [ Lamprophis] spp.),

(x) Kingsnakes and Milk Snakes ( Lampropeltis spp .), other than native species listed below,

(xi) Mole Snake (Pseudaspis spp .),

(xii) North American Rat Snakes (Pantherophis spp .) except the Allegheny Rat Snake (P. alleghaniensis) (other than albinistic and leucistic individuals) which requires a permit,

(xiii) Texas Indigo Snake ( Drymarchon corais erebennus),

(xiv) Tropical Rat Snakes (Spilotes spp .),

(xv) Water Snakes (Nerodia [Natrix] spp .), and,

(xvi) Western Hognose Snake ( Heterodon nasicus).

(3) The possession of native snakes is restricted to those institutions identified within § 3.7(C) of this Part, and as exempted per § 3.8 of this Part. Snakes considered native to Rhode Island and which possession as pets is prohibited include the following:

(AA) Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus),

(BB) Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon),

(CC) Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis),

(DD) Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos),

(EE) Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum),

(FF) Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis),

(GG) Common Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus),

(HH) North American Racer (Coluber constrictor),

(II) Dekay's Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi),

(JJ) Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata),

(KK) Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus),

(LL) Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis),

(MM) Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus).

c. Lizards:

(1) Possession of the Gila Monster, Beaded Lizard (Heloderatidae), and all Monitors ( Varanidae) requires an exotic animal possession permit.

(2) The following lizards may be kept without a permit except for endangered species. The Division of Fish and Wildlife may have additional Regulations if the species of lizard is considered native or nuisance.

(AA) All Skinks ( Scincidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except for the following: Florida Sand Skinks (Neoseps spp .), Solomon Island Ground Skink (Tribolonotus spp .).

(BB) The following Girdle-tailed Lizards ( Cordylidae) may be kept without a permit: False Club-tailed Lizards (Pseudocordylus spp .), Girdle-tailed Lizards ( Cordylus spp .), Plated Lizards (Gerrhosaurus spp .), Rock Lizards (Platysaurus spp .), ( Zonosaurus spp. ).

(CC) All Teiids (Teiidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except for the following: Brown Water Teiids (Neusticurus spp .), Dicrodon spp., Earless Teiids (Bachia spp. ), Rough Teiids ( Echinosaura spp .), Snake Teiids (Ophiognomon spp .), Spectacled Teiids (Gymnophthalmus spp .), Worm Teiids (Scolacosaurus spp .).

(DD) The following Lacertid Lizards ( Lacertidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit: Acanthodactylus spp., Gallotia spp ., Lacerta spp ., Podarcis spp ., Psammodromus spp.

(EE) The following Lateral-fold Lizards (Anguidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit: Alligator Lizards ( Gerrhonotus spp .), Glass Lizards (Ophisaurus spp.), Slowworm (Anguis spp .).

(FF) All Gekkos (Gekkonidae ) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except the Big Bend Gekko (Coleonyx reticulatus).

(GG) The following Iguanid Lizards ( Iguanidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit: Basilisks (Basiliscus spp .), Collared and Leopard Lizards (Crotaphytus spp .), Common or Green Iguanas ( Iguana i. iguana), False or Spring-tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaurus spp .), (Liolaemus spp .), New World Chameleons ( Anolis spp. and Ctenotus spp .), Spiny Lizards ( Sceloporus spp .), Tree and Bush Lizards (Urosaurus spp .), (Uranoscodon spp .), Zebratailed Lizards ( Callisaurus spp .).

(HH) The following Agamid Lizards ( Agamidae ) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit: Amphibolorus spp ., Calotes spp ., Hydrosaurus spp ., Pogona spp ., Water Dragon ( Physignathus spp .).

(II) Night Lizards ( Xantusidae): All Night Lizards (Xantusia spp .) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit, except for the Utah Night Lizard (Xantusia virgilis utahensis ).

(JJ) Old World Chameleons ( Chameleonidae) may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit.

5. List of Birds:

a. Possession of the following groups of birds is prohibited without a permit issued by the USFWS and if the bird is considered native, a permit issued by Rhode Island DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife:

(1) Endangered species of birds,

(2) Migratory birds listed in the Code of Federal Regulations, 50 C.F.R. § 10.13 (2017) (Migratory Bird Treaty Act),

(3) NOTE: RIDEM Division of Fish & Wildlife Regulations prohibits the possession of mute swans or their eggs.

b. The following birds or groups of birds may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit:

(1) Blue or Button Quail ( Coturnix chinensis),

(2) Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves),

(3) Bobwhite quail ( Colinus virginianus),

(4) Chukar partridge ( Alectoris chukar),

(5) Estrildidae (Waxbills and allies),

(6) Fringillidae (Finches and allies),

(7) Pheasants (the subfamily Phasianinae, of the family Phasianidae in the order Galliformes ),

(8) Ploceidae (Weaver Finches except the Red-billed, Black-fronted, and Sudan Diochs, which require a permit),

(9) Psittacidae (Parrots and their allies) except for Myiopsitta monachus (Monk Parakeet), which requires a permit,

(10) Ramphastidae (Toucans, Aracaris, and Toucanets),

(11) Sturnidae (Starlings and Mynahs), except the Rose-colored Starling (Pink Starling or Rosy Pastor, Sturnus roseus), which requires a permit.

6. List of Mammals:

a. The following mammals may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit:

(1) Four-toed (African pygmy) Hedgehog (Erinaceus albiventris) ( Atelerix pruneri),

(2) Chinchilla (Chinchilla spp .) derived from captive stock,

(3) Degu ( Octodon degus ),

(4) Egyptian Spiny Mouse ( Acomys cahirinus),

(5) House Mouse (Mus musculus),

(6) Jerboas ( Dipus spp .),

(7) Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus),

(8) Paca (Cuniculus spp .),

(9) Captive bred hamsters that are common pet trade species,

(10) Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps),

(11) Ferret ( Mustela putorius ). Note: Possession of a ferret does not require obtaining an exotic animal possession permit. Possession of a ferret does require a ferret possession permit issued through the Division of Fish & Wildlife.

b. The importation and possession of native and exotic cervids by any person is prohibited without a valid permit from the Department per the Rules and Regulations Governing the Importation, Feeding, and Baiting of Cervids in Rhode Island, Part 60-00-2 of this Title. However, AZA-accredited facilities are exempt from permitting requirements pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 4-18-3 and 4-18-6 provided compliance with all specified requirements within the statutes (also see § 3.8(B) of this Part).

c. The possession of native mammals is restricted to those institutions identified within § 3.7(C) of this Part, and as exempted per § 3.8 of this Part. Terrestrial mammals considered native either currently or historically to Rhode Island and which possession as pets is prohibited include the following:

(1) American Beaver (Castor canadensis),

(2) American Mink (Neovison vison),

(3) Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus),

(4) Black Bear (Ursus americana),

(5) Bobcat ( Lynx rufus),

(6) Common Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus),

(7) Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus),

(8) Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus),

(9) Eastern Coyote (Canis latrans),

(10) Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis),

(11) Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus),

(12) Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis),

(13) Fisher ( Pekaniapennanti ),

(14) Gray Fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus),

(15) Hairy-tailed Mole (Parascalops breweri ),

(16) Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus),

(17) Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus),

(18) Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata),

(19) Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus),

(20) Meadow Jumping Mouse ( Zapus hudsonius),

(21) Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus ),

(22) Moose (Alces alces),

(23) New England Cottontail ( Sylvilagus transitionalis ),

(24) Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis),

(25) Northern short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda),

(26) Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum),

(27) Raccoon ( Procyon lotor),

(28) Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ),

(29) Red Squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus),

(30) River Otter (Lontra canadensis),

(31) Short-tailed Weasel (Mustela erminea),

(32) Silver-haired Bat ( Lasionycteris noctivagans),

(33) Small-footed Bat (Myotis leibii),

(34) Smoky Shrew (Sorex fumeus),

(35) Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus),

(36) Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi),

(37) Southern Flying Squirrel ( Glaucomys volans),

(38) Southern Red-backed Vole ( Clethrionomys gapperi ),

(39) Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata),

(40) Striped Skunk ( Mephitis mephitis),

(41) Tri-colored Bat ( Perimyotis subflavus),

(42) Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana),

(43) Water Shrew (Sorex palustris),

(44) White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus),

(45) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus),

(46) Woodchuck (Marmota monax ),

(47) Woodland Jumping Mouse ( Napaeozapus insignis ),

(48) Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum ),

(49) Mountain Lion ( Felis concolor),

(50) Wolf (Canis lupus ).

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-3.17

Amended effective 7/11/2021