Captive Wildlife Categories

E. Class III Wildlife

A permit is required for personal possession, exhibition or sale of Class III wildlife.  Class III wildlife are all species not listed as Class I or Class II; and not among those species that are specifically listed as not requiring a permit for personal possession. 

There is no formal list of Class III species.  You must check the lists of Class I, Class II, and species not requiring a permit to determine if an animal in question is a Class III species.  Florida residents 16 years of age and older may apply for permit to possess Class III wildlife.  

Also, a special permit is needed to import leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis), African spurred tortoises (G. sulcata) or Bell's hingeback tortoises (Kinixys belliana) from another state.

F. Game Mammals and Birds

Game birds include:  wild turkey, quail, rails, snipe, woodcock, ducks, geese, brant, dove, coot, gallinule, and nonnative species generally considered game such as pheasant, chukar partridge, and coturnix quail.

Game mammals include:  deer, gray squirrel, rabbits, wild hogs in those areas where specified, and nonnative species generally considered game such as elk, antelope and buffalo.  Bison possessed for farming purposes are excluded from this license requirement.

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G. Conditional Nonnative Wildlife

Conditional nonnative species (formerly referred to as restricted species) are considered to be dangerous to the ecology and/or the health and welfare of the people of Florida.  These species may not be possessed for personal use.

A special permit is however required from the FWC for research, commercial import/export or exhibition purposes.

Florida facilities with an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration and authorization to possess conditional species do not need the special permit to possess conditional species from the FWC. A permit is required from the FWC, however, to import conditional species from another state for use under an Aquaculture Certificate. 

Conditional species are:

1. Conditional nonnative freshwater aquatic species
   1. Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)
   2. Bony-tongue fishes [family Osteoglossidae, all species except silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)]
   3. Dorados (genus Salminus, all species)
   4. Freshwater stingrays (family Potamotrygonidae, all species)
   5. Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella); restrictions and requirements described in Rule 68A 23.088, F.A.C.
   6. Nile perches (Genus Lates, all species). For facilities that are operating under permit or a certificate of registration, but which are not cultivating Nile perches as of April 11, 2007, and for facilities which are issued permits or certificates of registration after April 11, 2007, Nile perches:
      1. Shall be held only in indoor facilities
      2. Shall not be taken on a fee or for-hire basis using hook and line or rod and reel
   7. Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
   8. Snail or black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)
   9. Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), except that Oreochromis aureus may be possessed, cultured, and transported without permit in Citrus County in the North Central Region; and all counties of the Northeast, South and Southwest Regions
   10. Wami tilapia (Oreochromis hornorum)
   11. Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)
   12. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
   13. Walking catfish (Clarias batrachus)
   14. Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus; tank culture systems only)
   15. Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), except that blue catfish may be possessed in the Suwannee River and its tributaries and north and west of the Suwannee River
   16. Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and white river crayfish (Procambarus zonangulas), except that pond aquaculture is prohibited (red swamp crayfish and white river crayfish may be possessed west of the Apalachicola River or imported for direct sale to food wholesalers and food retailers for re-sale to consumers without permit)
   17. Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
       1. Red-eared sliders in personal possession prior to July 1, 2007 may continue in the possession of the owner
       2. Red-eared sliders less than four inches carapace length may not be possessed after July 1, 2008 without a permit
       3. Red-eared sliders with distinctive aberrant color patterns, including albino or amelanistic specimens, may be possessed without a permit otherwise required by the rule
2. Conditional nonnative mammals
   1. Nutria (Myocastor coypu)

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H. Prohibited Nonnative Wildlife

Prohibited non-native species are considered to be dangerous to the ecology and/or the health and welfare of the people of Florida.  These species may not be possessed for personal use. 

A special permit is required from the FWC for exhibition by AZA or AAM accredited facilities or for research.  These permits are issued on a very limited basis.

No exceptions are made for piranha and pirambeba.  These two species are banned and may not be possessed by anyone at anytime.

Prohibited nonnative species are:

1. Prohibited nonnative freshwater aquatic species
   1. African electric catfishes (family Malapteruridae, all species)
   2. African tigerfishes (subfamily Hydrocyninae, all species)
   3. Airbreathing catfishes (family Clariidae, all species except Clarias batrachus)
   4. Candiru catfishes (family Trichomycteridae, all species)
   5. Freshwater electric eels (family Electrophoridae, all species)
   6. Lampreys (family Petromyzonidae, all species)
   7. Piranhas and pirambebas (subfamily Serrasalminae, all species)
   8. Snakeheads (family Channidae, all species)
   9. Tilapias (Genera Tilapia, Sarotherodon and Oreochromis, all species except Oreochromis aureus, Oreochromis hornorum, Oreochromis mossambicus, and Oreochromis niloticus)
   10. Trahiras or tigerfishes (family Erythrinidae, all species)
   11. Airsac catfishes (family Heteropneustidae, all species)
   12. Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)
   13. Australian crayfish (genus Cherax, all species except Cherax quadricarinatus cultured in a closed tank system
   14. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)
2. Prohibited nonnative mammals
   1. African giant pouched rats (Genus Cricetomys, all species)
3. Prohibited nonnative marine species
   1. Mitten crabs (genus Eriocheir, all species)
   2. Sea snakes (Family Hydrophiidae, all species), except that sea snakes may be possessed as described in 68-5.001 (5)
   3. Weeverfishes (Family Trachinidae, all species).
   4. Stone fishes (Genus Synanceia, all species).

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I.  Endangered Species

The following species, listed prior to June 23, 1999, are declared to be endangered.

No person shall pursue, molest, harm, harass, capture, possess, or sell any endangered species listed, parts thereof or their nests or eggs except as authorized by specific permit.  Permits are issued only when the permitted activity will clearly enhance the survival potential of the species.

(a) Pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus)
(b) Blackmouth shiner (Notropis melanostomus)
(c) Okaloosa darter (Etheostoma okaloosae)
(d) Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
(e) American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
(f) Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
(g) Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
(h) Kemp's ridley seaturtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
(i) Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
(j) Striped mud turtle (Kinosternon bauri) (lower keys population only)
(k) Wood stork (Mycteria americana)
(l) Snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)
(m) Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
(n) Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis)
(o) Bachman's warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)
(p) Kirtland's warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii)
(q) Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus)
(r) Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis)
(s) Gray bat (Myotis grisescens)
(t) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)
(u) Florida mastiff bat (Eumops glaucinus floridanus)
(v) Silver rice rat (Oryzomys argentatus)
(w) Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus allophrys)
(x) Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis)
(y) St. Andrews beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis)
(z) Anastasia Island beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus phasma)
(aa) Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola)
(bb) Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli)
(cc) Florida saltmarsh vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli)
(dd) Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri)
(ee) Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)
(ff) Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi)
(gg) Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium).

No person shall feed Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) by hand or by placing any food that serves to attract such species.

(hh) North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)
(ii) Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
(jj) Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis)
(kk) Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
(ll) Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
(mm) Schaus'swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus)
(nn) Stock Island tree snail (Orthalicus reses)

The Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus [=Hemiargus] thomasi bethunebakeri), listed after June 23, 1999, is declared to be endangered.

No person shall take, harm, harass, possess, sell, or transport any Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus [=Hemiargus] thomasi bethunebakeri), parts thereof or their eggs, larvae or pupae except as authorized by permit from the FWC.

J. Threatened Species

The following species are hereby declared to be threatened.

No person shall take, possess, transport, molest, harass or sell any threatened species, parts thereof or their nests or eggs except as authorized by specific permit from the FWC.

Permits are issued only for scientific or conservation purposes and only when the applicant shows that the permitted activity will not have a negative impact on the survival potential of the species.

1. Crystal darter (Crystallaria asprella)
2. Key silverside (Menidia conchorum)
3. Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
4. Blue-tail mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus)
5. Sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi)
6. Key ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus acricus)
7. Rim rock crowned snake (Tantilla oolitica)
8. Short-tailed snake (Stilosoma extenuatum)
9. Florida brown snake (Storeria dekayi victa) (lower keys population only)
10. Florida ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackeni) (lower keys population only)
11. Eastern Indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)
12. Atlantic salt marsh water snake (Nerodia clarkii taeniata)
13. Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
14. Southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus)
15. Crested caracara (Polyborus plancus)
16. Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis)
17. Roseate tern (Sterna dougalli)
18. Least tern (Sterna antillarum albifrons)
19. White-crowned pigeon (Columba leucocephala)
20. Florida Scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)
21. Snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
22. Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)
23. Big Cypress fox squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia)
24. Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) (other than those found in Baker and Columbia counties or in Apalachicola National Forest or which are held in captivity under permit)
25. Everglades mink (Mustela vison evergladensis)
26. Southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris)

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K. Species of Special Concern

The following species are declared to be of special concern.
 
No person shall take, possess, transport, or sell, any species of special concern, parts thereof, or their nests or eggs except as authorized by Commission regulations, by permit from the FWC, or by statute or regulation of any other state agency.  Permits are issued on reasonable conclusion that the permitted activity will not be detrimental to the survival potential of the species.

1. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus)
2. Lake Eustis pupfish (Cyprinodon variegates hubbsi)
3. Saltmarsh topminnow (Fundulus jenkinsi)
4. Rivulus (Rivulus marmoratus)
5. Southern tessellated darter (Etheostoma olmstedi maculaticeps)
6. Harlequin darter (Etheostoma histrio)
7. Shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae)
8. Suwannee bass (Micropterus notius)
9. Key blenny (Starksia starcki)
10. Gopher frog (Rana capito)
11. Pine Barrens treefrog (Hyla andersonii)
12. Florida bog frog (Rana okaloosae)
13. Georgia blind salamander (Haideotriton wallacei)
14. Alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temmincki=Macrochelys temmincki)
15. Suwannee cooter (Psuedemys concinna suwanniensis)
16. Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri)
17. Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)
18. American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
19. Florida key mole skink (Eumeces egregius egregius)
20. Red rat snake (Elaphe guttata) (lower keys population only)
21. Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
22. Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus)
23. Little blue heron (Egretta caerulea)
24. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (Monroe County population only)
25. Black skimmer (Rynchops niger)
26. White ibis (Eudocimus albus)
27. Snowy egret (Egretta thula)
28. Reddish egret (Egretta rufescens)
29. Tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor)
30. Roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
31. Whooping crane (Grus americana)
32. Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)
33. American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
34. Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)
35. Marian's marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris mariianae)
36. Worthington's marsh wren (Cistothorus paluistris griseus)
37. Scott's seaside sparrow (Ammodramus mairitimus peninsulae)
38. Wakulla seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritiimus juncicolus)
39. Sherman's fox squirrel (Sciurus niger shermiani)
40. Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
41. Florida mouse (Podomys floridanus)
42. Sherman's short-tailed shrew (Blarina caroilinesis [=brevicauda] shermanii)
43. Homosassa shrew (Sorex longirostris eioinis)
44. Sanibel Island rice rat (Oryzomys palustris saniibeli)
45. Florida tree snail (Liguus fasciatus)
46. Bluenose shiner (Pteronotropis welaka)
47. Black Creek crayfish (Procambarus pictus)
48. Panama City crayfish (Procambarus econfinae)
49. Sims Sink crayfish (Procambarus erythrops)

The following species, listed after January 1, 2001, are declared to be of special concern, and shall be afforded the following protections.

(a) Flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum).
No person may take any flatwoods salamander, parts thereof or their eggs except as authorized by Commission rule or by permit from the FWC.

(b) Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). 
No person shall take, harass, possess, sell, or transport any red-cockaded woodpecker, parts thereof, or their eggs, nests or dens except as authorized by permit from the FWC. Permits will be issued based on whether it will further management plan goals and objectives.

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