A permit is required to sell reptiles native to Texas ($63 for Texas residents, $252 for out of state vendors.)

Click here for a list of Texas species saleable with permit (the "White List") and here for a list of species not saleable even with permit (the "Black List".)

Permit applications, FAQ, and all information may be reviewed and downloaded under Commercial Nongame Permits, via the link here:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/permits/land/wildlife/#nongame

Click here to download the Texas Parks & Wildlife regulations regarding the Commercial Nongame Permit.

The sale of all non-native venomous snakes and select large constrictors requires a $60 Controlled Exotic Snake Permit (License #581) available wherever hunting and fishing licences are sold, and the possession of these snakes requires a $20 permit (License #580) to be obtained within 21 days of purchase, also available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Click here for complete information on these permits.

Turtles and Tortoises may be sold and transported if they are collected legally (with proof) and with the proper non game permit.

Link to Turtles and Tortoise Regulations

Link to Permit Application

For additional information on Texas laws, please contact:

Texas Parks & Wildlife
4200 Smith School Rd.
Austin, TX 78744
Toll Free – 800-792-1112
Phone – 512-389-4800
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
Wildlife Dept. 512-389-4505

City of Pasadena Regulations (Houston Area Show)

Tarantulas and other non-venomous invertebrates are now allowed to be sold in Pasadena.

Restricted Animals: No snakes over 6 feet may be sold within the city limits. However, smaller snakes of species that may grow to 6 feet or longer may be sold as long as the buyer is aware of the snake’s growth potential and the restriction on snakes over 6 feet within the Pasadena city limits. Monitor lizards, venomous species, alligators, crocodiles, caymans, scorpions, and live rats are not allowed within the city limits.

No Sales of Dogs or Cats.

Pet Shop Permit: All vendors selling live animals must obtain a Pasadena Pet Shop Permit ($50) issued by Pasadena Animal Control. Click here to download the permit application, fill in the first three lines (depending on the .pdf viewer that you are using, you may need to click on each field below the first three lines for the autofill to appear), and either mail, e-mail, or fax the completed form to Karen Hoffman with Animal Control (contact information below.) Animal Control will be present during show load-in to inspect vendor booths and issue permits (vendors loading in on Saturday morning may not sell animals until Animal Control has inspected their booth on Saturday morning.) Permits may be paid for by cash or check during inspection at the show. Animal control requests that permit applciations be submitted a week prior to the show to allow enough time for each application to be processed.

For additional information on Pasadena regulations and requirements, or to submit a Pet Shop Permit application, please contact:

Lou Ann Nolan or Karen Hoffman (chief) – 281-991-0602
Animal Control
5150 Burke Rd. Passadena TX. 77504

Fax: 281-991-6981

lnolan@ci.pasadena.tx.us
khoffman@ci.pasadena.tx.us


City of El Paso Regulations (El Paso Show)

Larry Brunt
Animal Control
Chief
915-842-1031 ofc 915-433-8476 cell
larry.brunt@elpasotexas.gov

Sale of certain baby chickens, ducks, or other fowl under three weeks old; rabbits under two months old; or viable turtle eggs and live turtles with a carapace (shell) length of less than four inches (all animals commonly known as turtles, tortoises, terrapins, and all other animals of the order Testudinata) are prohibited.

Every animal establishment shall maintain accurate records of all transactions, shows and exhibitions involving animals, which records shall show the date, type of animal, type of activity, and parties to any transaction or transfer of an animal. Such records shall be kept for two years and will be made available upon demand to the program.

Animals shall be kept under sanitary conditions so as not to endanger the public or animal health nor create a nuisance.


City of Taylor

Restrictions for those residing with the City Limits of Taylor: Commercial selling, grooming, breeding, showing, exhibiting or the boarding of animals requires a city permit

Restricted Animals: No venomous, no crocodilians, for exotic animal restrictions, please review ordinances here


City of Lubbock

City of Lubbock Animal Services
http://las.ci.lubbock.tx.us/
(806) 775-2058 (shelter)

Permit required: Animal Establishment, Pet Shop, or Animal Dealer Permit - Fee $90

It shall be a violation for any business or person to sell, offer for sale, give away, offer to give away, or otherwise transfer ownership of any animal without first obtaining an animal establishment or animal dealer permit, unless such activity is authorized by some other section of this chapter.

Restricted Animals: No Venomous, Crocodilians or Alligators, and animals deemed "Dangerous Wild Animals" (typically zoo animals)

For more information contact Animal Services above or Visit: http://www.mylubbock.us/departmental-websites/departments/animal-services/home


NEW 2014!
Following the February 2014 Event, Repticon El Paso will no longer include a venomous section.

The Repticon Venomous Protocol for Texas (El Paso show ONLY) is as Follows:

1. No more than one venomous reptile in each container unless animals are for “Display Only”.
2. Red tape only on ALL containers that have venomous reptiles in them. This includes all potentially dangerous rear fanged snakes (determined at the discretion of Repticon staff).
3. No venomous snake will be allowed away from the vendor’s table without a venomous escort provided by Repticon.
4. Deli cups containing venomous reptiles will be placed in such a fashion that customers cannot pick them up.
5. All Venomous reptiles must be sexed and labeled prior to the opening of the event.
6. All venomous reptiles must be housed in secured, taped and unbreakable containers and labeled with no less than the common name.
7. No venomous reptiles may be removed from containers and lids of such containers shall not be removed, except in the designated area. NO venomous reptile will be taken out of its container nor will the container be unsealed under any circumstances other then in the designated area.
8. Waivers - All vendors with venomous snakes must sign a waiver upon check in and have all customers do the same.
9. Venomous snakes are not to be sold to anyone under 18 or to anyone who obviously does not possess the knowledge or experience to handle venomous snakes.

Venomous reptiles which have been sold will be tagged and remain at vendors' booth until buyer is departing from show. Customer is to sign a waiver; then advise customer to return when ready to depart from the building. At this time the vendor will give the waiver and reptiles to show staff volunteers who will escort the customer as they exit the show. Any vendor not adhering to this policy and giving their customers venomous reptiles purchased may be ejected from the show immediately and no refund issued.