Section 250-RICR-60-00-9.15 - Reptiles and AmphibiansA. A current Rhode Island Fishing, Hunting or Trapping License is required to take reptiles and amphibians. All hunters using archery equipment to take reptiles and amphibians must have a valid hunting license and have successfully completed a bow hunter education course.B. The only species of reptiles and amphibians for which there is an open season are snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), green frog (Lithobates clamitans), and bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). The possession, removal from the wild, or killing, for any purpose, of any other native reptile or amphibian to include their nests and eggs is prohibited except by special permit.C. The snapping turtle season is closed May 15 - July 15, inclusive.1. The season bag limit is six (6) snapping turtles.2. The taking of snapping turtles is restricted to turtles with a minimum straight-line carapace length of thirteen inches (13").3. Snapping turtles with a carapace length less than thirteen inches (13") shall be immediately released alive into the waters from which it was taken.4. Legal snapping turtles shall be immediately killed and reduced to possession.5. Take is only by the following methods: turtle traps, hand, hand-held dip nets, snagging, or bow and arrow.6. Turtle traps must be set in a manner that allows all turtles within, access to the surface to breathe air. Turtle traps must have a metal tag attached, which, at a minimum, bears the trapper's name and address. Traps must be checked every twenty-four (24) hours and any non-target species must be immediately released at the location where the trap was set.7. The taking of snapping turtles for commercial purposes is prohibited.D. The green frog and bullfrog season is closed June 1 - July 31, inclusive.1. The daily bag limit is twenty (20) frogs (both species combined).2. Legal green frogs and bullfrogs shall be immediately killed and reduced to possession.3. Take is only by the following methods: hand, hand-held dip nets, spearing, hook and line, or bow and arrow.E. The following species of reptiles and amphibians to include their nests and eggs are protected and possession without permit is prohibited at all times: American toad (Anaxyrus americanus); eastern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus); eastern spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii); four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum); Fowler' s toad (Anaxyrus fowleri); gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor); marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum); northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus); northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens); spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus); northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata); pickerel frog (Lithobates palustris); easternnewt (Notophthalmus viridescens); spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum); spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer); wood frog (Lithobates sylvatica); eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina); eastern musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus); painted turtle (Chrysemys picta); diamond-backed terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin); spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata); wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta); eastern ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus); northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon); common gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis); eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos); milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum); eastern ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis); common wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus); North American racer (Coluber constrictor); Dekay's brownsnake (Storeria dekayi); red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata); ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus); smooth greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis); timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus).F. The release into the wild of any non-native reptile or amphibian is prohibited.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-60-00-9.15
Amended effective 7/31/2019
Amended effective 8/2/2020
Amended effective 7/31/2021
Amended Effective 11/17/2021
Amended effective 7/31/2022
Amended effective 6/28/2023
Amended effective 8/2/2023
Amended effective 8/8/2024