California Exotic Animal Laws have been part of the California legal system since 1933. These laws are in place for the protection of the state’s agricultural interests, for protection of the imported animals or non-native animals, for protection of the population of native animals and for the good of the public health and safety. Without these laws there would be an increase in non-native species of animals that could have a detrimental effect on the population of native species, some of which are now on the endangered species list.
California Code of Registrations Title 14 §671 covers importing, transporting and possessing “Live Restricted Animals” as well as listing animals that are restricted species in the State of California. This list includes birds, mammals, amphibians, fish, reptiles, crustaceans, slugs, snails and mussels. According to this State Code, anyone wishing to possess, transport or import live restricted animals, as defined in this code, must have a permit to do so, issued by the California Department of Fish and Game. California cities and counties may require their own permit for species, even ones that are not on this list.
Birds included in this restricted species list, which is part of the California Exotic Animal Laws, are Larks, Cuckoos, Crows, Ravens, Rooks, Jackdaws, Thrushes, Blackbirds, Fieldfare, Starlings, Mynahs, Sparrows, Weavers, Queleas, Waxbills, Ricebirds, Munias and Yellowhammer. Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, Vultures, Owls and Bulbuls are also included on this list as well as Whiteeyes, Parakeets and Parrots.
Mammals included in the California Exotic Animal Laws restrictive list are Monkeys and Apes, except for Chimpanzees, Gorillas and Orangutans. This list includes Sloths, Anteaters, Armadillos, Marsupials, Shrews, Moles, Hedgehogs, Lemurs, Bats, Spiny Anteaters, Platypuses, Pikas, Hares and Rabbits, except for domesticated rabbits and hares. Certain Hamsters, as well as Field Mice, Muskrats, Squirrels, Voles, Gerbils, Prairie Dogs and Woodchucks are also restricted. Raccoons, Kinkajous, Ringtailed Cats, Coatis, Weasels, Otters, Cacomistles, Ferrets, Polecats, Skunks, Mongoose, Stoats, and Civets are on this restrictive list as well. Other mammals included are Foxes, Wolves, Coyotes, Bobcats, Leopards, Cheetahs, Bears, Jaguars, Tigers, Lions, Pandas and Ocelots. Aardvarks, Elephants, Hyraxes, Manatees, Dugongs, Zebras, Rhinoceroses, Tapirs, Peccaries, Deer, Camels, Elk, Antelope and Moose are also “Restrict Animals”.
Frogs, Salamanders and Toads as well as Jawless fish are on the restrictive list found in the California Exotic Animal Laws as well as bony fishes such as Bass, Perch, Shad and Drum. Other fish on this list are Banded Tetra, Piranhas, Trout, Gar, Bowfins, Tiger Fish, Pike, Snakeheads, Carp , Catfish, Minnows, Tilapia, Freshwater Eels, Walleye and Suckers. Sharks and Stingrays are also restricted.
Reptiles included in the California Exotic Animal Laws restricted list are Alligators, Crocodiles, Gavials, Caimans, Snapping Turtles, Cobras, Mambas, Coral Snakes, Kraits, Vipers and Adders, Pit Vipers with the exception of the Western Rattlesnake, the Speckled Rattlesnake and the Sidewinder. Other reptiles on this list are the Boomslang, the Vine Snake and the reticulate Gila Monsters.
Crustaceans,Gastropods and Bivalves finish up this list. These species are crayfish, slugs and snails that are not native and all Zebra Mussels.
California Code of Registrations Title 14 §671.1 explains further the California Exotic Game Laws and the restrictions set forth by listing what is necessary for the permits mentioned earlier. This State Code begins with a review of California Code of Registrations Title 14 §671 by stating the unlawfulness of importing, transporting or exporting restricted animals. But it also continues on to state that it is unlawful to possess, dispose of or maintain any restricted animal without the proper permits. This code also explains the limited scope of the California Exotic Animal Laws and the right for any facility that houses any permitted, restricted animal to be inspected at anytime by the proper authorities. This code also continues on to explain that any change in name or address pertaining to a permit must be in writing within fourteen days to the California Department of Fish and Game, License and Revenue Division and that all records, invoices, logs or other documentation must be kept by the permittee for at least 3 years and be available for inspection at any time.This code also states that transportation records and health certificates must accompany any exotic animal as it is being shipped and the person receiving the animal must sign and date the proper records and they must keep a copy. It also requires an insurance bond or other such financial guarantee to cover any expenses should the California Department of Fish and Game have to capture, locate, house transport or care for the permitted exotic animal.
