Skip Maine state header navigation

Agencies | Online Services | Help

Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation

Home > News and Events > Press Releases

Press Releases

Contact: Deborah Turcotte, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333


Telephone: work (207) 287-6008 cell (207) 592-1164

Fax: (207) 287-6395

July 29, 2009

IF&W Updates List of Unrestricted Fish and Wildlife Species

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland D. Martin announced today that the Department has completed an update and revision to the list of “unrestricted fish and wildlife species”.

“The Department has added approximately 50 genera or species of snakes, lizards, turtles/ tortoises, and amphibians to the unrestricted list, including several species of pythons, boas, monitors, chameleons, geckos, turtles, tortoises, and frogs,” according to Commissioner Martin. (See the complete list of unrestricted species.)

These species may be traded by commercial pet shops. Fish and wildlife species occurring on the unrestricted list do not require an importation permit or a possession permit. The Department undertook the update of the unrestricted list in cooperation with the Maine Herpetological Society.

In addition, the Department will remove a species – the Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), a turtle -- from the list effective Jan. 1, 2010. On this date, it will no longer be legal for commercial pet shops to possess or offer for sale the Red-Eared Slider. Red-Eared Sliders legally possessed by individuals prior to Jan. 1, 2010 may continue to be owned by the individuals, but may not be sold, transferred, traded or released.

“The Department has become aware of escaped or released populations of these non-native turtles in the wild,” Commissioner Martin said. “By removing the turtle from the unrestricted list, the Department seeks to minimize or prevent any further occurrence of this potentially invasive species.”

Martin also announced that all requests to make changes to the “unrestricted” list of species must now include a review and processing fee of $50.00 for each species to be considered. Requests may be submitted to the Wildlife Division, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 284 State Street, State House Station #41, Augusta, Maine, 04333. Submissions must be made on an application form provided by the Department.

Many species have been considered for inclusion on the unrestricted list, but rejected. Most recently, these include: Woma (python) [Aspedites ramsayi], Dumeril’s Boa [Acrantophis dumerili], Madagascar Tree Boa, Boa Mandrita [Sanzinia madagascariensis], Madagascar (Malagasy) Ground Boa [Acrantophis madagasascariensis], Texas Indigo Snake [Drymarchon melanurus], Eastern Indigo Snake [Drymarchon corias coupen], Reeve’s Turtle [Chinemys (Mauremys) reevesii], and Tomato Frogs [Diyscophus antongilli].

All species of tarantulas are restricted, but certain species may be approved under a special importation permit for individuals (not for pet shop trade). All snails (Gastropoda) are restricted and can be imported only by a special importation permit with specific health certifications; snails cannot be traded by commercial pet shops.

A Wildlife or Fish Importation Permit is required from the Commissioner before any species not listed as “unrestricted” is transported or brought into the State of Maine. This includes any invertebrate not listed as “unrestricted” (e.g., exotic ladybugs for garden pest control, southern dragonfly species for mosquito control, farm-raised butterflies for wedding releases, etc.).

In addition, a Wildlife or Fish Possession Permit is required from the Commissioner before any wildlife species regulated by the State, and not listed as “unrestricted,” is taken, possessed, or held in captivity. “Wildlife” means any species of the animal kingdom, except fish, that is wild by nature, whether or not bred or reared in captivity.

Maine Law states that a person may not take and possess snakes or turtles from the wild for export, sale, or commercial purposes.

Importers of wildlife must comply with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and Endangered and Threatened Species Regulations, and with State and Federal Animal Welfare laws. Under Maine law, in addition to Maine Warden Service, the Department of Agriculture Pet Shop Inspector may enforce Fish and Wildlife laws relating to wildlife importation.

Questions regarding domestic animals, or about the pet shop license itself, should be addressed to Norma Worley, Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources, Division of Regulations, Animal Welfare Unit, Station #28, Augusta, ME 04333. (207) 287-5531.

Questions regarding the unrestricted species list or the importation and possession of fish and wildlife should be addressed to Sue Zayac, Warden Service, Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, 41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0041. (207) 287-5240.