Exhibitors
A permit for educational exhibition of Prohibited species shall only be issued to public aquaria, zoological parks or public exhibitors.
For green iguanas and tegus, entities must have had a valid license or permit to possess these species for exhibition purposes on June 30, 2020, and have documented the species in their inventory on their 2018 or 2019 license application. See a list of qualifying entities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Zoos, aquariums, nature centers, and other qualifying public exhibitors may apply for a permit to possess the newly listed Prohibited species for educational exhibition use. Permit applicants must meet the qualifications in 68-5.007(1).
Permits for educational exhibition will not be issued to entities operating out of residential properties, except for entities that meet the qualifications for the exceptions in 68-5.007(1)(a)3.a.-c.
For Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, Nile monitors, green anacondas, Northern African pythons, Southern African pythons, amethystine pythons, and scrub pythons, entities must have had a valid license or permit to possess these species for exhibition purposes before they became listed as Prohibited, and have documented the species in their inventory on their 2018 or 2019 license application.
For green iguanas and tegus, entities must have had a valid license or permit to possess these species for exhibition purposes on June 30, 2020, and have documented the species in their inventory on their 2018 or 2019 license application.
Educational exhibitors operating at residential properties that are not open to the public during normal business hours must show proof of at least 12 educational engagements equating to at least 48 hours of public exhibit contact time annually. Documentation of educational engagement must include venue, venue address, date of exhibit, exhibit times, number of public participants, and advertisement or invitation information.
No. Only tegus or green iguanas possessed prior to their listing as Prohibited may be possessed under this exception. No new tegus or green iguanas may be imported under this permit.
Permitted educational exhibition facilities that are accredited or certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or Zoological Association of America (ZAA) may request an authorization to breed Prohibited reptiles. Applicants for authorization to breed Prohibited reptiles must submit a detailed proposal explaining the conservation value of breeding these species. The proposal must be reviewed and approved by the FWC before any Prohibited reptile breeding activity occurs.
Exhibitors that qualify for a permit to possess animals at residential properties under the exceptions in 68-5.007(1)(a)3.a.-c. may not breed tegus or green iguanas. Only tegus or green iguanas possessed prior to their listing as Prohibited may be possessed under this exception. No new tegus or green iguanas may be bred under this permit.
Yes. All Prohibited lizards over 5 inches in snout-to-vent length must be PIT tagged. Prohibited lizard PIT tags must be implanted in the body cavity near and in front of a rear leg, or in a rear leg. All Prohibited snakes over ½ inch in diameter must be PIT tagged. Prohibited snake PIT tags must be implanted in the rear third of the snake, forward of the anal plate. Any juvenile tegus or green iguanas that are not PIT tagged may not be housed in outdoor enclosures. Prohibited reptiles may only be housed in outdoor enclosures if they have been marked with a PIT tag.
To qualify for a limited exception commercial use permit, a licensee must have had a valid License to Possess Class III Wildlife for Exhibition or Public Sale (ESC) on June 30, 2020, and documented possession or planned possession of green iguanas or tegus on their 2018 or 2019 ESC application. If you believe you meet the qualifications for the limited exception commercial use permit but have not been included in the list of qualifying entities, please reach out to our staff at NonnativePermitApps@MyFWC.com.
If issued a permit to possess Prohibited species, FWC personnel may conduct scheduled or unannounced inspections of the permitted facility.
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