Banned: 15 Reptiles That Are Illegal To Have As Pets In New York State

As we get ready for some major reptile shows happening around the state, you should be aware that these 15 reptiles are illegal to have as pets and for breeding in New York State. If you are caught breeding or owning any of the reptiles below you could be facing a $500 fine for the first offense and $1,000 for any following offenses,

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who knowingly breeds a wild animal or knowingly possesses, owns, harbors, sells, barters, transfers, exchanges, or imports a wild animal for use as a pet or intentionally releases or sets at-large any wild animal, authorized by this section for use as a pet, from the location where the animal is permitted to be possessed or harbored in violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for the first offense and not more than one thousand dollars for a second and subsequent offenses.  Each instance of breeding, owning, harboring, sale, barter, release, transfer, exchange, or import of a wild animal in violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

Here Are Some Of The Major Reptile Shows In New York For 2022

Sunday, May 1, 2022
Mid-Hudson Reptile Expo
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Mid-Hudson Civic Center
14 Civic Center Plaza
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Sunday, May 22, 2022
Capital District Reptile Expo - Spring 2022
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Albany Capital Center
55 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207

Saturday, July 9, 2022
REXPO
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
ROC Dome Arena
2695 E Henrietta Rd
Henrietta, NY 14467

Sunday, October 16, 2022
​​Long Island Reptile Expo
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
​​Suffolk Community College
485 Wicks Rd
Brentwood, NY 11717

Date TBD
​New York Metro Reptile Expo
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Westchester County Center
198 Central Ave
White Plains, NY 10606

These 15 reptiles are considered "wild animals" by New York State, making them illegal to breed or own as pets:

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