Rules and Regulations for Reptiles and Amphibians in New Hampshire
For further details, see rules or regulation identified in parentheses. Licensed exhibitors should read detailed rules that apply to them.
Possession
Possession includes the keeping, holding, or restricting of wildlife as defined in RSA 207:1. Includes eggs or progeny thereof.
The following species shall not be possessed without an appropriate permit: (FIS 804.02; to request a permit see instructions under FIS 804.04)
NOTE: No permit to possess shall be issued if there is any disease, genetic, ecological, environmental, health, safety or welfare risks to the public or other wildlife species.
- All venomous reptiles (including specimens where venom glands have been removed)
- All alligators and crocodiles
- The following reptiles and amphibians:
Amphibians | |
Marbled salamander | Ambystoma opacum |
Fowler’s toad | Bufo fowleri |
Northern leopard frog | Rana pipiens |
Jefferson salamander | Ambystoma jeffersonianum |
Blue-spotted salamander | Ambystoma laterale |
Jefferson X blue-spotted salamander hybrids | Ambystoma jeffersonianum X laterale |
Spring salamander | Gyrinophilus porphyriticus |
Four-toed salamander | Hemidactylium scutatum |
Northern slimy salamander | Plethodon glutinosus |
Common Mudpuppy | Necturus maculosus |
Reptiles | |
All venomous reptiles | |
Blanding's turtles | Emydoidea blandingii |
Eastern box turtles | Terrapene carolina carolina |
Spotted turtles | Clemmys guttata |
Wood turtles | Glyptemys insculpta |
Black racer | Coluber constrictor |
Eastern hognose snake | Heterodon platirhinos |
Smooth green snake | Opheodrys vernalis |
Ribbon snake | Thamnophis sauritus |
Up to 5 specimens of the following species may be possessed without a permit
[NOTE: Although limited possession of these species are currently legal in NH, the NH Fish & Game Department encourages people to leave wildlife wild and seek captive-bred sources of common non-native species if pets are desired]
Amphibians | |
American toad | Bufo americanus |
Gray treefrog | Hyla versicolor |
Spring peeper | Pseudacris crucifer |
American bullfrog | Rana catesbeiana |
Green frog | Rana clamitans |
Pickerel frog | Rana palustris |
Mink frog | Rana septentrionalis |
Wood frog | Rana sylvatica |
Spotted salamander | Ambystoma maculatum |
Northern two-lined salamander | Eurycea bislineata |
Northern dusky salamander | Desmognathus fuscus |
Eastern red-backed salamander | Plethodon cinereus |
Red-spotted newt | Notophthalmus viridescens |
Up to 2 specimens of the following species may be possessed without a permit
[NOTE: Although limited possession of these species are currently legal in NH, the NH Fish & Game Department encourages people to leave wildlife wild and seek captive-bred sources of common non-native species if pets are desired. Populations of some species, especially turtles, can be adversely affected by the removal of a small number of individuals.]
Reptiles | |
Musk turtle | Sternotherus odoratus |
Painted turtle | Chrysemys picta |
Snapping turtle | Chelydra serpentina |
Ring-necked snake | Diadophis punctatus |
Eastern milksnake | Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum |
Northern watersnake | Nerodia sipedon |
Brown snake | Storeria dekayi |
Red-bellied snake | Storeria occipitomaculata |
Garter snake | Thamnophis sirtalis |
Sale (FIS 811.01)
No person shall sell indigenous species of reptiles or amphibians (listed below), including parts or eggs thereof:
Amphibians | |
American toad | Bufo americanus |
Fowler’s toad | Bufo fowleri |
Gray treefrog | Hyla versicolor |
Spring peeper | Pseudacris crucifer |
American bullfrog | Rana catesbeiana |
Green frog | Rana clamitans |
Pickerel frog | Rana palustris |
Northern leopard frog | Rana pipiens |
Mink frog | Rana septentrionalis |
Wood frog | Rana sylvatica |
Jefferson salamander | Ambystoma jeffersonianum |
Blue-spotted salamander | Ambystoma laterale |
Jefferson X blue-spotted salamander hybrids | Ambystoma jeffersonianum X laterale |
Spotted salamander | Ambystoma maculatum |
Marbled salamander | Ambystoma opacum |
Northern two-lined salamander | Eurycea bislineata |
Northern dusky salamander | Desmognathus fuscus |
Spring salamander | Gyrinophilus porphyriticus |
Four-toed salamander | Hemidactylium scutatum |
Eastern red-backed salamander | Plethodon cinereus |
Northern slimy salamander | Plethodon glutinosus |
Common Mudpuppy | Necturus maculosus |
Red-spotted newt | Notophthalmus viridescens |
Reptiles | |
Timber rattlesnake | Crotalus horridus |
Blanding's turtles | Emydoidea blandingii |
Eastern box turtles | Terrapene carolina carolina |
Spotted turtles | Clemmys guttata |
Wood turtles | Glyptemys insculpta |
Musk turtle | Sternotherus odoratus |
Painted turtle | Chrysemys picta |
Snapping turtle | Chelydra serpentina |
Black racer | Coluber constrictor |
Ring-necked snake | Diadophis punctatus |
Eastern hognose snake | Heterodon platirhinos |
Eastern milksnake | Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum |
Northern watersnake | Nerodia sipedon |
Smooth greensnake | Opheodrys vernalis |
Brown snake | Storeria dekayi |
Red-bellied snake | Storeria occipitomaculata |
Ribbon snake | Thamnophis sauritus |
Garter snake | Thamnophis sirtalis |
EXCEPTIONS (Sale allowed):
- Non-living snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) and bull frogs (Rana catesbeiana) raised outside the state which may be possessed, bought and sold for use as food provided that with each package there shall be a bill of sale bearing the species, the weight of the package and the place of origin.
- Certain non-living indigenous amphibians and reptiles listed below (also listed in Table 800.2 for category one) obtained outside the state to be used for educational purposes (e.g., biosupply companies selling frozen specimens to schools for dissection).
Amphibians | |
American toad | Bufo americanus |
Gray treefrog | Hyla versicolor |
Spring peeper | Pseudacris crucifer |
American bullfrog | Rana catesbeiana |
Green frog | Rana clamitans |
Pickerel frog | Rana palustris |
Mink frog | Rana septentrionalis |
Wood frog | Rana sylvatica |
Spotted salamander | Ambystoma maculatum |
Northern two-lined salamander | Eurycea bislineata |
Northern dusky salamander | Desmognathus fuscus |
Eastern red-backed salamander | Plethodon cinereus |
Red-spotted newt | Notophthalmus viridescens |
Reptiles | |
Musk turtle | Sternotherus odoratus |
Painted turtle | Chrysemys picta |
Snapping turtle | Chelydra serpentina |
Ring-necked snake | Diadophis punctatus |
Eastern milksnake | Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum |
Northern watersnake | Nerodia sipedon |
Brown snake | Storeria dekayi |
Red-bellied snake | Storeria occipitomaculata |
Garter snake | Thamnophis sirtalis |
Importation
A permit shall be required to import (FIS 803.03; to request a permit see instructions under FIS 803.13) the following:
- Alligators and Crocodiles
- All venomous reptiles (including specimens where venom glands have been removed)
- All indigenous amphibians and reptiles listed below:
Amphibians | |
American toad | Bufo americanus |
Fowler’s toad | Bufo fowleri |
Gray treefrog | Hyla versicolor |
Spring peeper | Pseudacris crucifer |
American bullfrog | Rana catesbeiana |
Green frog | Rana clamitans |
Pickerel frog | Rana palustris |
Northern leopard frog | Rana pipiens |
Mink frog | Rana septentrionalis |
Wood frog | Rana sylvatica |
Jefferson salamander | Ambystoma jeffersonianum |
Blue-spotted salamander | Ambystoma laterale |
Jefferson X blue-spotted salamander hybrids | Ambystoma jeffersonianum X laterale |
Spotted salamander | Ambystoma maculatum |
Marbled salamander | Ambystoma opacum |
Northern two-lined salamander | Eurycea bislineata |
Northern dusky salamander | Desmognathus fuscus |
Spring salamander | Gyrinophilus porphyriticus |
Four-toed salamander | Hemidactylium scutatum |
Eastern red-backed salamander | Plethodon cinereus |
Northern slimy salamander | Plethodon glutinosus |
Common Mudpuppy | Necturus maculosus |
Red-spotted newt | Notophthalmus viridescens |
Reptiles | |
Timber rattlesnake | Crotalus horridus |
Blanding's turtles | Emydoidea blandingii |
Eastern box turtles | Terrapene carolina carolina |
Spotted turtles | Clemmys guttata |
Wood turtles | Glyptemys insculpta |
Musk turtle | Sternotherus odoratus |
Painted turtle | Chrysemys picta |
Snapping turtle | Chelydra serpentina |
Black racer | Coluber constrictor |
Ring-necked snake | Diadophis punctatus |
Eastern hognose snake | Heterodon platirhinos |
Eastern milksnake | Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum |
Northern watersnake | Nerodia sipedon |
Smooth greensnake | Opheodrys vernalis |
Brown snake | Storeria dekayi |
Red-bellied snake | Storeria occipitomaculata |
Ribbon snake | Thamnophis sauritus |
Garter snake | Thamnophis sirtalis |
EXCEPTIONS: Non-living members of the following species may be imported without a permit:
Amphibians | |
American toad | Bufo americanus |
Gray treefrog | Hyla versicolor |
Spring peeper | Pseudacris crucifer |
American bullfrog | Rana catesbeiana |
Green frog | Rana clamitans |
Pickerel frog | Rana palustris |
Mink frog | Rana septentrionalis |
Wood frog | Rana sylvatica |
Spotted salamander | Ambystoma maculatum |
Northern two-lined salamander | Eurycea bislineata |
Northern dusky salamander | Desmognathus fuscus |
Eastern red-backed salamander | Plethodon cinereus |
Red-spotted newt | Notophthalmus viridescens |
Reptiles | |
Musk turtle | Sternotherus odoratus |
Painted turtle | Chrysemys picta |
Snapping turtle | Chelydra serpentina |
Ring-necked snake | Diadophis punctatus |
Eastern milksnake | Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum |
Northern watersnake | Nerodia sipedon |
Brown snake | Storeria dekayi |
Red-bellied snake | Storeria occipitomaculata |
Garter snake | Thamnophis sirtalis |
Release
It is illegal to release the following species in NH (FIS 805):
- All amphibians and reptiles imported into the state
- All exotic amphibians and reptiles
Water gardens and Outdoor ponds (FIS 804.0.9, 805):
Reptiles and amphibians including tadpoles originating outside of New Hampshire (including but not limited to internet and in-person purchases from water garden suppliers, reptile and amphibian distributors, biological supply companies, and pet stores importing specimens from out-of-state) must be caged or enclosed, and therefore can not be released to outdoor environments, including pools and ponds, in New Hampshire.
Reptile Rules – Other
- No person shall take or possess at any time a spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), or black racer (Coluber constrictor) or any egg or part thereof.
- No person shall take any species of indigenous turtle from May 15 to July 15.
[In addition to species listed above that are restricted year-round (Blanding’s, spotted, wood, and box turtles), this rule includes painted turtles, common snapping turtles, and musk turtles]
- The taking of amphibians and reptiles shall be only by hand capture, including the use of hand held nets.
- The taking of snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) shall only be allowed of snapping turtles less than 6 inches or 12 to 15 inches in length as measured from the front to rear along the top of the carapace.
Definition of ‘Take’– (RSA 207:1)
Includes pursuing, shooting, hunting, killing, capturing, trapping, snaring, and netting wildlife, and all lesser acts, such as disturbing, harrying, worrying, wounding, or placing, setting, drawing, or using any net or other device commonly used to take wildlife, whether they result in taking or not, and includes every attempt to take and every act of assistance to every other person in taking or attempting to take wildlife, provided that whenever taking is allowed by law, reference is had to taking by lawful means and in lawful manner.
Also, see RSA 212-A for rules pertaining to threatened and endangered species.
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