State rankings
Gila Monster Legal States
Pet Gila Monster Legality: “Legal with permit” in 22 of 50 US states, “Illegal” in 17 and “Legal” in 11.
EnvironmentLaw50 states · 2 metricsUpdated Jun 26, 2024Original page
7 sources
- Can You Have a Pet Gila Monster? - Regarding Reptiles
- Can You Legally Own A Gila Monster? - Berry Patch Farms
- Exotic Animal Laws - FindLaw
- Man dies after bite from pet Gila monster, a venomous lizard illegal to own in Nevada - 8News
- Gila Monster - National Park Service
- California State and Federally Protected Species - Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research
- Reptile Ownership Laws by State - US Ark
Pet Gila Monster Legality
3 values across 50 entries
Data
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50 states
 Alabama | Legal with permit | — |
 Alaska | Legal with permit | — |
 Arizona | Legal with permit | — |
 Arkansas | Legal | — |
 California | Illegal | All but a few endemic reptiles species are protected in California, including the Gila monster. |
 Colorado | Legal with permit | — |
 Connecticut | Illegal | — |
 Delaware | Illegal | — |
 Florida | Legal with permit | You must have 1,000 hours experience with a venomous animal as well as two reference letters in order to own one with a permit. |
 Georgia | Illegal | — |
 Hawaii | Illegal | — |
 Idaho | Illegal | — |
 Illinois | Illegal | — |
 Indiana | Legal with permit | — |
 Iowa | Illegal | — |
 Kansas | Legal | — |
 Kentucky | Illegal | — |
 Louisiana | Legal with permit | — |
 Maine | Illegal | — |
 Maryland | Legal with permit | — |
 Massachusetts | Legal with permit | — |
 Michigan | Legal with permit | — |
 Minnesota | Legal with permit | — |
 Mississippi | Legal | — |
 Missouri | Legal | — |
 Montana | Legal | Illegal to import without a permit, but no permit required if captive-bred in the state. |
 Nebraska | Legal | — |
 Nevada | Illegal | The Gila Monster is a protected species in Nevada. |
 New Hampshire | Illegal | — |
 New Jersey | Legal with permit | — |
 New Mexico | Legal with permit | — |
 New York | Illegal | Gila monsters legally possessed before January 1, 2006 may be kept for the remainder of their lives under a valid Dangerous Wildlife License. New private pet ownership is prohibited. |
 North Carolina | Legal | — |
 North Dakota | Illegal | Allow Gila Monsters only for educational/institutional purposes with a license. |
 Ohio | Legal | Ownership of venomous reptiles requires a permit and antivenom must be kept on hand. |
 Oklahoma | Legal with permit | — |
 Oregon | Illegal | Oregon prohibits new private ownership of Gila monsters. Only animals legally possessed before January 1, 2010, may continue to be kept under a grandfathered permit. |
 Pennsylvania | Legal with permit | — |
 Rhode Island | Legal with permit | — |
 South Carolina | Legal with permit | The laws require a permit, but are not enforced since they are vaguely written. Venomous reptiles are sold openly at reptile shows. |
 South Dakota | Legal with permit | — |
 Tennessee | Legal with permit | A permit is required. Additionally, the owner must be at least 21 years of age and have two years experience in handling the reptile. Owners must also have a full time caretaker for the Gila monster, and a written plan in place for what to do if it escapes. |
 Texas | Legal with permit | Legal with a permit everywhere except Houston. |
 Utah | Illegal | Legal with a permit, but permit requires both written permission from the city where the animal will live and a hearing, which costs $200 and at which the owner must prove that the reptile will serve an educational facility, zoo, circus, research facility or similar institution. |
 Vermont | Legal with permit | — |
 Virginia | Legal with permit | — |
 Washington | Illegal | — |
 West Virginia | Legal | — |
 Wisconsin | Legal | — |
 Wyoming | Legal | — |
Quick answers
- In which US states is Pet Gila Monster Legality “Legal with permit”?
- 22 of the 50 US states: Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, Arizona, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Indiana, Maryland, Colorado, Minnesota, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota and 2 more.
- In which US states is Pet Gila Monster Legality “Illegal”?
- 17 of the 50 US states: California, New York, Illinois, Georgia, Washington, Kentucky, Oregon, Connecticut, Utah, Nevada, Iowa, Idaho, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware and North Dakota.
- In which US states is Pet Gila Monster Legality “Legal”?
- 11 of the 50 US states: Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, West Virginia, Montana and Wyoming.
- Which US states are on the Gila Monster Legal States list?
- California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, Arizona, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Indiana, Missouri, Maryland, Colorado and 30 more (50 in all).
- Where does the Gila Monster Legal States data come from?
- Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: Can You Have a Pet Gila Monster? - Regarding Reptiles; Can You Legally Own A Gila Monster? - Berry Patch Farms; Exotic Animal Laws - FindLaw; Man dies after bite from pet Gila monster, a venomous lizard illegal to own in Nevada - 8News.
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