Exotic Animal Recipes

My boyfriend has two boa’s and one python. We recently found out that under texas law he needs a permit for "exotic pets". Some definitions explain that that only means poisonus snakes while others explain all snakes not native to Texas. Help? Also I’m not sure where he needs to go to get a permit or how much it will cost.

Exotic animal is any animal not native to Texas. However, I think you are talking about the following permit, which cost $20 and can be obtained from the Parks and Wildlife Department or where licenses are sold.

SUBCHAPTER V. NONINDIGENOUS SNAKE PERMIT

Sec. 43.851. PERMIT. (a) The commission by rule shall establish permits that allow permit holders to possess or transport in this state a live nonindigenous:

(1) venomous snake; or

(2) constrictor that is one of the following:

(A) African rock python, Python sebae;

(B) Asiatic rock python, Python molurus;

(C) green anaconda, Eunectes murinus;

(D) reticulated python, Python reticulatus; or

(E) southern African python, Python natalensis.

(b) The commission shall establish separate permits for recreational and commercial purposes.

(c) A permit under this subchapter is not required for:

(1) a state or county official performing an official duty;

(2) a licensed zoo that possesses or transports a snake for exhibition or scientific purposes;

(3) a research facility, including a university, licensed under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Section 2131 et seq.) that possesses or transports a snake for scientific purposes; or

(4) a person who assists a department employee in the handling or transport of a snake under this subchapter.

(d) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a person may not possess or transport in this state a snake described by Subsection (a) without a permit issued by the department under this subchapter.

(e) A person convicted of a violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter may not obtain a permit before the fifth anniversary of the date of the conviction.

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