TALLAHASSEE — New rules related to nonnative fish and wildlife went into effect on April 29, 2021. Those rules included adding 16 high-risk nonnative reptiles to the state’s Prohibited species list, creating permit application criteria for those species, implementing new caging and biosecurity requirements, and updating the rules for exotic pet amnesty.

The 90-day grace period to apply for a permit, upgrade indoor caging, and have any qualifying animals PIT tagged ends July 28, 2021.

The 180-day grace period to upgrade any outdoor caging for Prohibited species ends October 26, 2021.

Persons or businesses in possession of the newly listed prohibited reptiles for commercial sale use have until July 28, 2021, to liquidate their inventory in Florida. These species may not be possessed for commercial sale purposes in Florida after July 28, 2021, except green iguanas or tegus possessed by qualifying entities under a limited exception commercial use permit.

More information on the new rules is available online at: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/rule-development/.https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/rule-development/