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Rules and Regulations

Standard Caging Requirements

The links below will redirect you to the Florida Administrative Register page, on which you can view the current rules outlining minimum caging requirements for housing captive wildlife. After clicking a link, on the page that opens for each rule, click View Rule under the Word Document icon to view the entire rule.

Caging for common Class III pet species Expand/Collapse Caging for common Class III pet species

Tamarins and Marmosets

  1. For one or two animals, a cage 3 feet by 3 feet, 4 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.
  2. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and nest box(es) that will accommodate all animal(s) in the enclosure simultaneously. Each cage shall also include climbing apparatus.
  3. In addition to requirements of this section, each cage or enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, mirrors or foraging items.

Lemurs

  1. For one or two animals, a cage 4 feet by 5 feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.
  2. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and nest box(es) that will accommodate all animal(s) in the enclosure simultaneously. Each cage shall also have climbing apparatus.
  3. In addition to requirements of this section, each cage or enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, mirrors or foraging items.

Capuchins

  1. For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.
  2. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and shelter(s) that will accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously. Each cage shall also have climbing apparatus.
  3. In addition to requirements of this section, each cage or enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, mirrors or foraging items.

Skunks

  1. For one or two animals, a cage 5 feet by 4 feet, 3 feet high. For each additional animal, increase the cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.
  2. Each cage shall be equipped with chewing items.
  3. In addition to the requirements for this section, each cage or enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, mirrors, climbing apparatus, foraging items, etc.

Raccoons, coati-mundis, and kinkajous

  1. For up to two animals, a cage 6 feet by 8 feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.
  2. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and nest box(es) that will accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.
  3. In addition to the requirements for this section, each cage or enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, mirrors, climbing apparatus, foraging items, etc.

Foxes (red, grey, arctic)

  1. For one or two animals, a cage 8 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.
  2. Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.
  3. In addition to the requirements of this section, each cage or enclosure shall be equipped with a shelter(s)/den(s) that shall accommodate all the animals in the enclosure simultaneously. Each enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not limited to boxes, balls, bones, barrels, drums, rawhide, pools, etc.

Opossums

  1. For one or two animals, a cage or enclosure 4 feet by 4 feet, 6 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of original floor area.
  2. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and nest box(es) that shall accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously. Each cage shall have horizontal climbing apparatus.
  3. In addition to requirements of this section, each enclosure shall be equipped with a shelter(s) or nest box(es) that shall accommodate all the animals in the enclosure simultaneously. Such shelter shall be attached to or adjacent to the paddock, habitat, or enclosure. Each paddock, habitat, or enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not limited to, browsing and grazing material.

Captive Wildlife Regulations

  • 68-1.010, F.A.C. (General Regulations Relating to Licenses, Permits and Other Authorizations)
  • 68A-6.001, F.A.C. (Captive Wildlife Definitions)
  • 379.304, F.S. (Exhibition or sale of wildlife)
  • 379.372, F.S. (Capturing, keeping, possessing, transporting, or exhibiting venomous reptiles, reptiles of concern, conditional reptiles, or prohibited reptiles; license required)
  • 379.3711, F.S. (License fee for private game preserves and farms)
  • 379.3712, F.S. (Private hunting preserve license fees; exception)
  • 379.3761, F.S. (Exhibition or sale of wildlife; fees; classifications)
  • 379.3762, F.S. (Personal possession of wildlife)
  • 68A-6.017, F.A.C. (Possession and Exhibition of Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern)
  • 68A-6.0171, F.A.C. (Caging, Facility, and Transportation Requirements for Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern)
  • 68A-6.0172, F.A.C. (Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements for Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern)
  • 68A-6.0173, F.A.C. (Identification of Non-Native Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern)
  • 68A-6.018, F.A.C. (Injuries, Bites, and Escapes)
  • 68A-12.011, F.A.C. (Regulations Governing the Establishment and Operation of Game Farms)

Rule Development

The FWC abides by Ch. 120, Florida Statutes, when making rules. In doing so, we notify the public of rulemaking activity through the Florida Administrative Register. Rulemaking often includes direct contact with those who may be affected, extensive discussions with stakeholder groups, and public meetings to gather input from interested parties.

Final decisions on rules usually happen at Commission meetings, held 5 times a year in locations throughout the state. FWC provides public notice of various meetings through our website calendar. To receive email updates, please subscribe to the Captive Wildlife email list through GovDelivery.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact the Captive Wildlife Office.

Phone: (850) 488-6253
Email: CWApps@myFWC.com
Mail: Captive Wildlife Office, 620 S Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399