Prohibited Species

PURPOSE: This rule establishes a list of species that may not be possessed in Missouri. (1) Prohibited species may not be imported, exported, transported, sold, purchased, or possessed alive in Missouri without written approval of the director. (2) For the purpose of this rule, prohibited species of wildlife shall include the following: (A) Mammals: Any species of flying fox or fruit bat of the genus Pteropus; any species of mongoose or meerkat of the genera Atilax, Cynictis, Helogale, Herpestes, Ichneumia, Mungos, or Suricata; any species of the Indian wild dog, red dog, or dhole of the genus Cuon; any species of the multimammat rat or mouse of the genus Mastomys; raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides; brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula; (B) Birds: pink starling or rosy pastor, Sturnus roseus; species of dioch (including the subspecies black-fronted, red-billed, or Sudan dioch), Quelea quelea; Java sparrow, Padda oryzivora; red whiskered bul-bul, Pycnonotus jocosus; (C) Fishes: Live fish or viable eggs of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus); round goby (Neogobius melanosto mus); tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris); snakehead fish of the genera Channa or Parachanna (or the generic synonyms of Bostrychoides, Ophicephalus, Ophiocephalus, and Parophiocephalus); walking catfish of the family Clariidae; (D) Invertebrates: New Zealand mudsnail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum; rusty crayfish, Faxonius rusticus; marbled crayfish, Procambarus virginalis; crayfish of the genus Cherax; electric blue crayfish, Procambarus alleni; mitten crabs of the genus Eriocheir; zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha; quagga mussels, Dreissena rostriformis; mystery snails of the genus Cipangopaludina; and (E) Reptiles: Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus; common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed April 20, 2005, effective Sept. 30, 2005. Amended: Filed Oct. 2, 2006, effective Feb. 28, 2007. Amended: Filed Oct. 10, 2008, effective March 30, 2009. Amended: Filed Sept. 30, 2010, effective March 1, 2011. Amended: Filed Sept. 19, 2012, effective March 1, 2013. Amended: Filed Sept. 17, 2014, effective March 1, 2015. Amended: Filed Aug. 26, 2019, effective Feb. 29, 2020. Amended: Filed Aug. 27, 2021, effective Feb. 28, 2022. Amended: Filed Feb. 23, 2024, effective Aug. 30, 2024. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.