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Chicago Herpetological Society |
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Chicago Herpetological Society |
| ILLINOIS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species Native Wildlife Regulations Importation and Commercial Trade Regulations Captive Maintenance Regulations |
| The following pages have been printed with permission from
John Levell's book A field guide to reptiles and the law, second edition.
Lanesboro, MN: Serpent's Tale. This book is currently available from Zoo Book Sales. |
Illinois lists various species of the state's flora and fauna as either endangered or threatened and all listed species are protected by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act, as specified in Chapter 520 Illinois Revised Statutes (reference: 520 ILRS 10.1 to 10.11). The Illinois Act was enacted in 1973 and was most recently amended in 1986. This law is similar in concept to the Federal Endangered Species Act, and permits are required to possess, take, transport, sell, offer for sale, give or otherwise dispose of any species protected by the Illinois or the US. Endangered Species Acts.
The following is the current (1999) list of state endangered or threatened amphibians and reptiles, as specified in chapter 17 of the Illinois Administrative Code (reference 17 IL AC 1010). As stated above, permits are required for any and all activities involving these species.
| Species | Common Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ambystoma jeffersonianum | Jefferson Salamander | Threatened |
| Ambystoma platineum(1) | Silvery Salamander | Endangered |
| Cryptobranchus alleganiensis | Hellbender | Endangered |
| Desmognathus fuscus | Dusky Salamander | Endangered |
| Hemidactylium scutatum | Four-toed Salamander | Threatened |
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| Hyla avivoca | Bird-voiced Treefrog | Threatened |
| Pseudacris streckeri | Illinois Chorus Frog | Threatened |
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| Clemmys guttata | Spotted Turtle | Endangered |
| Emydoidea blandingii | Blanding's Turtle | Threatened |
| Kinosternon flavescens | Illinois Mud Turtle | Endangered |
| Macrochelys temminckii(2) | Alligator Snapping Turtle | Endangered |
| Pseudemys concinna | River Cooter | Endangered |
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| Clonophis kirtlandii | Kirtland's Snake | Threatened |
| Crotalus horridus | Timber Rattlesnake | Threatened |
| Elaphe emoryi(3) | Great Plains Rat Snake | Threatened |
| Heterodon nasicus | Western Hognose Snake | Threatened |
| Masticophis flagellum | Coachwhip Snake | Endangered |
| Nerodia cyclopion | Green Water Snake | Threatened |
| Nerodia fasciata | Broad-banded Water Snake | Endangered |
| Sistrurus catenatus catenatus | Eastern Massasauga | Endangered |
| Tantilla gracilis | Flathead Snake | Threatened |
| Thamnophis sauritus | Eastern Ribbon Snake | Endangered |
Several types of permits authorizing normally prohibited activities involving state protected endangered and threatened species are issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Scientific permits which are issued to qualified individuals for purposes of legitimate research only. Educational permits are only issued to educational institutions such as schools, zoos, or museums, or to individuals employed or sponsored by such an institution. Zoological permits allow for the public exhibition of state endangered and threatened species and are issued to recognized, qualified institutions. Propagation permits are required to attempt the propagation of any protected species and propagation permits are only issued as an addendum to state scientific or zoological permits. Limited permits allowing for the possession, purchase, and sale of legally acquired specimens of protected species by both individuals and institutions are also issued on occasion. There are currently no fees for any of these permits. A complete list of permit requirements and permit applications may be obtained from the Endangered Species Program Manager, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (address in Appendix 1).
Illinois is one of a growing number of states which has specific legislation regulating activities involving native amphibians and reptiles. Possession limits, legal capture methods, and a variety of other restrictions are all included in a single Illinois Department of Natural Resources regulation, "The Taking of Reptiles and Amphibians," as specified in chapter 17 of the Illinois Administrative Code (17 IL AC 1-880). In general, all unprotected amphibians and reptiles except turtles and bullfrogs may be collected and possessed within specified limits without license. A valid fishing license is required to collect bullfrogs and turtles. Those portions of this legislation restricting the non-commercial collection and possession of native amphibian and reptile species is summarized below.
Amphibians and reptiles may be captured by any device or method which is not designated or intended to bring about the death or serious injury of the animals captured. This shall not restrict the use of legally taken reptiles or amphibians as bait by anglers (17 IL AC 1-880.20e).
* Does not include state threatened or endangered species, bullfrogs, or turtles (see Frogs and Turtles below).
Any captured reptiles and amphibians which are not to be retained in the possession of the captor shall be immediately released at the site of capture (17 IL AC 1-880.20g).
The daily catch limit for amphibians and reptiles is eight of each species. The possession limit for amphibians and reptiles is 16 of each species (17 IL AC 1-880.30).
Habitat features which are disturbed in the course of a search for reptiles and amphibians shall be returned to as near their original position and condition as possible, e.g. overturned stones and logs shall be restored to their original locations (17 IL AC 1-880.50).
Rana catesbeiana, bullfrogs may be taken by hook and line, gig, spear, bow and arrow, hand, or dip net only. A valid Illinois fishing license is required (17 IL AC 1-880.20a and 880.20c).
Turtles may be taken only by hand, hook and line, or dip net. A valid fishing license is required (17 IL AC I 880.20a and 880.20b).
Illinois Sport Fishing Licenses are available at most sporting goods or bait stores at an annual fee of $13.00 for residents and $24.50 for non-residents. Ten day non-resident fishing licenses are also available at a cost of $13.00.
The following restriction on the sale of native amphibians and reptiles is included in Illinois' Taking of Reptiles and Amphibians regulation.
It is unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, offer to buy or sell or barter any reptile, amphibian or their eggs or parts taken from the wild in Illinois for commercial purposes unless otherwise authorized by statute (17 IL AC I 880.10).
The captive produced offspring of wild caught native amphibians and reptiles may be sold by authority of an Illinois aquaculture license (see License and Permit Information below).
Illinois considers certain native and non-native reptiles to be dangerous animals and prohibits their possession. This apparently also prohibits their sale (see Captive Maintenance Regulations below).
Illinois aquaculture licenses allowing for the sale of captive produced specimens of native amphibians and reptiles are available for an annual fee of $50. Applications for this license may be obtained from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Office of Licenses and Permits (address in Appendix 1).
The following portion of Illinois' Taking of Reptiles and Amphibians legislation concerns native species produced in captivity. Captive bred offspring of a legally held reptile or amphibian, not intended for commercial purposes, is exempt from the possession limits of section 880.30 for a period of 90 days (17 IL AC 1-880.40).
The Illinois Dangerous Animals Act (reference: IL CS 720-585) specifically prohibits the keeping of any poisonous or life-threatening reptile. Although no definition of what constitutes a life-threatening reptile is included in this regulation, Illinois currently considers any adult (over six feet in length) constricting snake and all crocodilians to be life-threatening.
The following is a brief review of the restrictions on the possession of amphibians and reptiles included among Illinois' regulations.
(b above see Native Wildlife Regulations). (c, d and e above see Captive Maintenance Regulations).
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