I am so confused please help

[lovely_noodles]

i’ve been keeping snakes for about two years now, and I have recently gotten variant into corn snakes. I have five corn snakes as of right now, and I live in the state of Tennessee I have recently inquired about a snake in A different state and they said something about sending me papers on her. Do I need papers to own my corn snakes papers to breed corn snakes I’m just confused on what paperwork I need to get for them if they need paperwork at all so far I’ve bought all my corn snakes in Tennessee, but I do want to branch out and try to breed, but everywhere I look is giving me a different .

[ballornothing]

Looks like you guys might have to have permits. Always good to check with DNR/F&W for specifics though.

State Regulations Regarding Colubrids

I am wondering of any other states than mine, Tennessee, have any ridiculous laws concerning breeding and selling Colubrids. Before making a shift to Ball Pythons in 2016 we were small hobby breeders of mainly Milks and Kings for years until we got notice of being out of compliance with the states regulatory guidelines. In Tennessee, snakes are termed “indigenous” by their genus, making all Milks, Kings and others like Hognose, Water Snakes, Rat Snakes, Corn Snakes etc… indigenous by definition …

[logar]

I have seen two different things regarding this.

1. You can not own them without a permit

2. You can own them without a permit but you have to have proof that it is a CBB animal

I personally would contact your states wildlife department.

[indiflare]

I also live in Tennessee, and in all the reptile groups I am in, I have never heard of permits for corn snakes. I can ask around and see if there are any, but I’ve seen people who are selling them both in expos and just around, with no indications of needing permits… but I don’t know.

[noodlehaus]

Here’s the relevant rules and regulations regarding owning corn snakes in Tennessee. To possess a corn snake, you are not required to have a permit. You are, however, required to have proof that the animal was purchased from a breeder and not wild caught, as well as an importation permit if it is coming from out of state. This is documented in 1660-01-18-.01(4):

And 1660-01-18.02 (2e) states:

Now, as for import and propagation (breeding) you are absolutely required to be permitted. You can find the propagation code here: Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-410. A permit for propagation is $305, I assume annually, and can be found here.

The code regarding importation is found at: Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-411
Importation permits are either a single shipment fee of $31 or an annual fee of $244, and are found here.