Possession of reptiles and amphibians

Possession of reptiles and amphibians. (1) Applicability. This section applies to the collection, possession and exhibition of live native wild reptiles and live native wild amphibians in Wisconsin except those listed as endangered or threatened in s. NR 27.04 . (2) Possession restricted. Beginning on January 1, 2027, no person may take from the wild or possess any live native amphibians or reptiles except as provided under sub. (3) . Any live native wild reptiles or amphibians possessed before January 1, 2027, must be registered with the department in a manner determined by the department on or before June 30, 2027. Any native wild reptiles or amphibians not registered with the department on or before June 30, 2027, will be presumed to be in violation of this chapter. (3) Exemptions allowing possession of native amphibians and reptiles. (a) Endangered or threatened amphibian or reptile possession. A person may possess a live endangered or threatened amphibian or reptile if authorized under ss. 29.604 (6) and 169.30 , Stats. (b) Nonresident possession. A nonresident may possess a native amphibian or reptile within Wisconsin if it was obtained prior to January 1, 2027, and they have proof of lawful possession. A nonresident establishing residency within the state must register these amphibians and reptiles in a manner determined by the department within 6 months of establishing residency. Any native wild reptiles or amphibians not registered with the department within 6 months of establishing residency will be presumed to be in violation of this chapter. (c) General possession. A person may possess a native amphibian or reptile if authorized by ss. 169.24 , 169.25 , 169.26 , and 169.27 , Stats., and related rules. (d) Temporary possession. A person may take and possess live native wild amphibians or reptiles for up to 24 hours as follows, provided that such amphibians and reptiles are humanely retained and housed and not comingled with any other amphibians or reptiles: 1. A person may restrain or transport a live native wild amphibian or reptile for medical treatment by a veterinarian or person holding a rehabilitation license. If the native live animal is able to be returned to the wild after medical treatment, it should be done within one mile of the location of original capture. 2. A person may remove or transport a live native wild amphibian or reptile from one location to a more appropriate location provided the new location is within one mile of the location of original capture. 3. Except for species listed under s. NR 10.02 , a person may take and possess up to 5 in total live native salamanders and reptiles or any number of frogs provided that the reptiles and amphibians are returned within one mile of the location of original capture. (e) Frog, mudpuppy, and salamander possession. A person may possess native northern leopard frogs of the species Lithobates pipiens , mudpuppies of the species Necturus maculosus , and eastern tiger salamanders of the species Ambystoma tigrinum provided that such species are possessed for the purpose of purchase and sale under the authority of a Class A captive wild animal farm license issued under s. 169.15 , Stats., or a Class B captive wild animal farm license that was issued under s. 169.15 , Stats., prior to January 1, 2027, and continuously maintained by the original applicant. (f) Educational institution possession. An educational institution may possess native reptiles and amphibians legally taken or reared outside of the state and that are sold to educational institutions under the authority of a Class A captive wild animal farm license. (g) Museum and aquarium possession. A publicly owned museum and American Zoo and Aquarium Association–accredited institution may possess native amphibians or reptiles if they are obtained from a legal source. (h) Native snapping turtle possession. A person may possess a live native snapping turtle for the purpose of harvest authorized under s. NR 19.275 (4) , 21.13 (4) , or 22.13 (4) for no more than 7 days. (i) Purchase of frogs for bait. A person may possess native frogs not listed as threatened or endangered in ch. NR 27 which are purchased or taken as part of a shipment of live bait by a licensed bait dealer or registered fish farmer. (j) Collection of frogs for bait. A person may take from the wild, possess and kill native frogs as authorized by s. 169.12 (3) , Stats. Any live frogs possessed under s. 169.12 (3) , Stats., must be returned within one mile of the original capture location. (k) Color variant possession. A person may possess color variants of native amphibians and reptiles that have been bred in captivity and acquired from a legal source. (4) Exhibiting. The exhibiting of live native reptiles and amphibians requires a license under s. 169.07 , Stats. (5) Amphibian and reptile contests. The use of wild native amphibians and reptiles for races or other types of events involving congregating and gathering any number of wild amphibians and reptiles is prohibited.