REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN REGULATIONS
Reptile and amphibian regulations apply to lizards, snakes, turtles, frogs, salamanders and related species. They do not include alligators.
Any person engaged in the sale, barter or trade of native reptiles and amphibians collected in Louisiana must possess either
a) Reptile and Amphibian Collector's License or
b) Reptile and Amphibian Wholesale/Retail Dealer's License.
Any person engaged in acquiring or handling, by any means, native reptiles or amphibians for resale, or engaged in the shipping or transporting of such reptiles or amphibians into or out of Louisiana must possess a Reptile and Amphibian Wholesale/Retail Dealer's License. Act 376 of the 1997 Louisiana Legislature exempts wholesale/retail seafood dealers from this license.
METHODS OF TAKING
Removal of nesting or nest tending animals is prohibited.
Traps must be checked daily.
Turtle traps must be placed in a manner that leaves enough area above the waterline to allow trapped turtles to breath; be marked as "turtle trap," and be constructed as a horizontal, single-throated device.
A commercial gear license is required to operate a single throated hoop net or turtle trap.
Possession of finfish while turtle trapping is prohibited.
Use of gasoline to flush animals from hiding places is prohibited.
Natural cover such as stumps and logs may not be destroyed while searching for animals.
Frogs may be taken using any visible light and mechanical devices known as frog catchers or with devices that puncture the skin such as gigs and spears.
SIZE/POSSESSION LIMITS
Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) and pig frogs (Rana grylio): may be taken year round except during the months of April and May where the season is closed throughout the state.
No person shall take or possess bullfrogs that are less than five inches in length, nor take or possess pig frogs or grunters that are less than three inches in length. Length is measured from the tip of the muzzle to the posterior end of the body between the hind legs.
Exception: Frogs under the legal length may be taken from privately owned ponds or waters by the owner thereof or his authorized representative and may be sold for the purpose of stocking ponds or waters.
Alligator snapping turtles (Macroclemys temminckii):
a) Commercial Take: may not be sold nor caught for purposes of commerce.
b) Recreational take: Limit of one per day per boat or vehicle.
Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin): may not be taken by trap of any kind and may not be taken between Apr. 15-Jun. 15. All terrapins taken must measure at least six inches in length on the plastron (bottom shell plate).
Box turtles (genus Terrapene): may not be sold commercially, and recreational take and possession shall not exceed four.
Green anoles (Anolis carolinensis): less than 1 3/4 inches snout-vent length or less than five inches overall length may not be sold or purchased.
Turtle Eggs: No turtle eggs may be taken except for those of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta), wherever found.
REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN COLLECTOR'S LICENSE
Anyone gathering reptiles and amphibians for sale must possess a Commercial Reptile and Amphibian Collector's License.
Alligators are excluded from this provision.
All non protected native reptile and amphibian species (frogs, turtles, lizards, salamanders, snakes, etc.), except alligators, can be legally taken by residents possessing a valid recreational fishing license. See Reptiles and Amphibians section. Nonresidents may purchase a "Three-day Reptile and Amphibian Wholesale/Retail Dealer's License" that is valid for three consecutive days.
REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN WHOLESALE/RETAIL DEALER'S LICENSE
Commercial dealers engaged in the buying, selling, acquiring or handling by any means any species of native reptile or amphibian in Louisiana for resale, or shipping or transporting any native reptile or amphibian into or out of Louisiana must possess a Reptile and Amphibian Wholesale/Retail Dealer's License, Reptile and Amphibian Transport License or Seafood Wholesale/Retail Dealer's License and Seafood Transport Wholesale/Retail Dealer's license if applicable. Wholesale/retail seafood dealers are exempt from this license.
RESTRICTED - THREATENED/ENDANGERED REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
The following species may not be taken or collected from the wild in Louisiana: tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum); southern red backed salamander (Plethodon serratus); Webster's salamander (Plethodon websteri); mud salamander (Pseudotriton montanus); red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber); or threatened or endangered species: green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas); hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata); Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii); leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea); loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta); gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus); ringed sawback turtle (Graptemys oculifera); Dusky gopher frog (Rana sevosa).
- White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area 2008 Non -Hunting and Fishing Dates
- 2008-10 Hunting Season Proposal
- Flooding Impacts On Deer
- Buy a License
- Validate Deer/ Turkey Tags
- State Wildlife Grants Request For Proposals
- Hurricane Recovery Activities
- Lost Your Hunter Ed. Card?
- NOAA Hurricane Marine Debris
- Student Employment Application
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