Florida import laws

[CharlieM]

(15) No leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) or African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) shall be imported or transported into this state, without a special permit issued by the Commission. The basis for the issuance of such permit shall include:
(a) That each shipment is accompanied by a veterinary certificate stating that all specimens are free from external parasites;
(b) That all shipping containers used to transport such tortoises are incinerated within 24 hours;

http://www.calusaherp.org/business/laws.htm

Thought this was interesting.

 

[Millerlite]

Very, Florida always had flexible exotic animal laws it seems, but with more and more being released out there and the weather helps them thrive I can see why they want to permit things up. Maybe some fl residents can shed light on laws in that state

 

[EricIvins]

This is not un-common at all. Most States have provisions like this for any Heartwater carriers....

 

[mctlong]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using TortForum mobile app

 

[RussTort]

Do you know what happens to those tortoises who are imported in violation to those laws?

 

[jaizei]

That each shipment is accompanied by a veterinary certificate stating that all specimens are free from external parasites;

Isn't this a Federal regulation?
PROHIBITION OF INTERSTATE MOVEMENT OF LAND TORTOISES 9 CFR 74.1 2001

 

[TortoiseLuv0131]

Very interesting. But isn't the health/external parasite free guarantee a regulation for all livestock entering the country?

 

[Leopard Tortoise Lover 16199]

Interesting. I thought they just prohibited the sale of wild caught leopards & sulcatas to prevent the spread of heartwater ticks in our country. Also Wild specimens are very rare now and I think collecting a wild specimen is illegal.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Do you know what happens to those tortoises who are imported in violation to those laws?

Euthanized, most likely.

 

[RussTort]

Do you know what happens to those tortoises who are imported in violation to those laws?

Euthanized, most likely.

I reckon so. Such a shame.

 

[PrincessToad]

Very, Florida always had flexible exotic animal laws it seems, but with more and more being released out there and the weather helps them thrive I can see why they want to permit things up. Maybe some fl residents can shed light on laws in that state

Most likely has something to do with the high amount of invasive species we have here in Florida. Not sure if you heard about the Burmese python issues Florida has been having! For some time now there has been battles between the pythons and the alligators in the Florida ecosystem for top of the food chain and basically it's not pretty. We are also having issues with the African snail! Unlike the common snail species here African snails eat virtually any plant they come across. Here are some links. With related information.
http://m.phys.org/news/2013-05-florida-stucco-eating-african-snails.html
http://science.time.com/2012/01/31/invaders-how-burmese-pythons-are-devouring-the-everglades/
http://m.myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/exotic-information/

 

[CharlieM]

I agree that Florida has more than its fair share of feral species but I also have heard some of the stuff we watch on animal planet is staged or "recreated" for the show. The snails are a huge problem though as are those gross poisonous cane or Bufo toads. We also have a huge feral population of non native bird species.

 

[PrincessToad]

I agree that Florida has more than its fair share of feral species but I also have heard some of the stuff we watch on animal planet is staged or "recreated" for the show. The snails are a huge problem though as are those gross poisonous cane or Bufo toads. We also have a huge feral population of non native bird species.

I can absolutely agree that television is not a reputable source of information! I am a Florida resident and I've seen first hand how the python population is out of control! I have family that lives in a remote swamp area and we've had to call snake rescue out there more than a few times. If the snakes are caught in the wild residents are allowed to kill them! We have a Friend that houses these wild caught snakes until they can be given up for adoption. And still who is to say the new owners won't repeat the cycle and eventually release them again! Luckily my area hasn't been invaded by the snails! How about yours?

 

[EricIvins]

Very, Florida always had flexible exotic animal laws it seems, but with more and more being released out there and the weather helps them thrive I can see why they want to permit things up. Maybe some fl residents can shed light on laws in that state

Most likely has something to do with the high amount of invasive species we have here in Florida. Not sure if you heard about the Burmese python issues Florida has been having! For some time now there has been battles between the pythons and the alligators in the Florida ecosystem for top of the food chain and basically it's not pretty. We are also having issues with the African snail! Unlike the common snail species here African snails eat virtually any plant they come across. Here are some links. With related information.
http://m.phys.org/news/2013-05-florida-stucco-eating-african-snails.html
http://science.time.com/2012/01/31/invaders-how-burmese-pythons-are-devouring-the-everglades/
http://m.myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/exotic-information/

It has nothing to do with Invasives. It has everything to do with being a Heartwater carrier. Like I stated above, most States have these laws...

 

[PrincessToad]

Very, Florida always had flexible exotic animal laws it seems, but with more and more being released out there and the weather helps them thrive I can see why they want to permit things up. Maybe some fl residents can shed light on laws in that state

Most likely has something to do with the high amount of invasive species we have here in Florida. Not sure if you heard about the Burmese python issues Florida has been having! For some time now there has been battles between the pythons and the alligators in the Florida ecosystem for top of the food chain and basically it's not pretty. We are also having issues with the African snail! Unlike the common snail species here African snails eat virtually any plant they come across. Here are some links. With related information.
http://m.phys.org/news/2013-05-florida-stucco-eating-african-snails.html
http://science.time.com/2012/01/31/invaders-how-burmese-pythons-are-devouring-the-everglades/
http://m.myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/exotic-information/

It has nothing to do with Invasives. It has everything to do with being a Heartwater carrier. Like I stated above, most States have these laws...

Just read up on heart water carriers and I see what you mean. But regardless that was just an idea I brought to the table! It's nice sharing information. Thank you for yours!

 

[CharlieM]

I'm about an hour north of Miami and we don't have the snails. We are on the edge of the Everglades though. What area is your family from that has lots of pythons?

 

[PrincessToad]

I'm about an hour north of Miami and we don't have the snails. We are on the edge of the Everglades though. What area is your family from that has lots of pythons?

I live in miami but my uncle has a farm in an area called the Redlands out by the swamp. We don't have the snails either but I've heard lots about them! The whole python thing was a big issue about a year or so ago!

 

[Tony the tank]

I have been clearing 20 + acres here in central Fl... And have seen a few pythons and iguanas already...I have asked the workers to leave them alone but they have killied a few....Been using a bush hog and they tell me they do it by accident.....I know they are not indigenous to the area.. But I still believe nature has a way to adapt to situations like this

 

[CharlieM]

Hopefully they are seeing some native Florida box turtles.

 

[PrincessToad]

I have been clearing 20 + acres here in central Fl... And have seen a few pythons and iguanas already...I have asked the workers to leave them alone but they have killied a few....Been using a bush hog and they tell me they do it by accident.....I know they are not indigenous to the area.. But I still believe nature has a way to adapt to situations like this

I agree with you and even if nature can't killing animals is just plain un-cool! What line of work are you in?