Pythons are one of many exotic animal pets for which exotic animal laws have been passed.
There are many laws regarding buying or owning an exotic animal as a pet. Most of these laws are state laws, meaning that even bordering states can have very different laws regarding the same exotic animals in question. Often these laws are written to address entire groups of animals, such as big cats or reptiles.
Florida Python Laws
One state at the forefront of exotic animal laws is Florida, due to their huge problems with invading species, especially the Burmese python. As of 2010, there was no state-wide ban on exotic reptiles, but bills were being prepared in the state house and state senate to create such a law. Some local cities in Florida have already banned the ownership of pythons as pets, with many more in south and central Florida looking to follow suit. According to CBS News, the situation in Florida with pythons is so bad that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission allows hunters and herpetologists to kill wild pythons on sight.
Alaska Exotic Animal Laws
Alaska exotic animal laws are very specific. According to Alaska Administrative Code Title 5, Section 92.029, there is a list of exotic animals in Alaska that individuals are allowed to own and raise under the condition that none of them are released into the wild. Any animal that is not covered on that list is not allowed to be owned by anyone in Alaska regardless of situation. Any non-venomous reptile is allowed to be owned as a pet in Alaska, and is not supposed to be released into the wild (although the winters will take care of any population problem). For information on specific animals, refer to the list offered by Alaska state law.
Arkansas Large Carnivore Laws
Arkansas has very specific laws on owning an exotic animal, especially large carnivores. Arkansas large carnivore laws state that it is illegal for an individual to own or even just possess a large carnivore as a pet or for any type of personal possession. According to the State of Arkansas, bears, lions and tigers all qualify as large carnivores, and there is a limit of 6 for coyotes and fox. Individuals who wish to own a different large carnivore not listed must have documents that can prove previous ownership of the animal. This is done to cover legal liability.
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