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View Full Version : red-sided garters illegal??

LadyHawke
12-03-03, 09:21 PM
i was just told that owning a red-sided garter is illegal in Ontario, i bought mine at the Reptile expo over the summer, and i know the same people i got the snake from were there on Nov 23, i was told i cant have it because it is native to canada and need permits. this snake was captive bred. does anyone know anything about this??
Jeff Hathaway
12-03-03, 09:29 PM
Hey Sue,

What you were told is incorrect. Although they are native to Ontario (NW Ontario), red-sided garters are not listed as specially protected (or game) reptiles. Therefore, you do not need a permit to possess them. Technically, you can't remove them from the wild without a small game hunting license (or a few other possibilities), but you can buy/sell/trade/possess captive bred or otherwise legally acquired specimens.

Enjoy your snake....

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!
ChokeOnSmoke
12-03-03, 09:32 PM
I'm from NW Ontario and I've never seen a red sided
I dont think they are native in NW Ontario.
LadyHawke
12-03-03, 09:34 PM
thanx Jeff!! i just wanted to be sure!!
Removed_2815
12-03-03, 09:52 PM
ChokeOnSmoke,
Species distributions in Ontario are not based on whether or not you have seen the animal in question ;)
Jeff is correct, click here (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/herps/All_Ont/snakes/rsga.jpg).
Regards,
RMB
Jeff Hathaway
12-04-03, 12:01 AM
ChokeonSmoke,

I've never seen one in Ontario either, but then I've never been to NW Ontario! I will be up there this summer, though, to do some of the provinicial parks, and I hope to see one then.

Something I was told by a phD student studying red-sided garters, was that the ones in Ontario tend to not have very much red visible. In fact, she said that the easterns (which often have varying degrees of red or orange) often had more red than the 'red-sideds'. As is often the case, colour and pattern is not the most effective method of identification.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!
reptile171
12-05-03, 02:01 PM
there supposed to be ATLEAST 4 inches but the law doesnt seem to mind...
Jeff Hathaway
12-05-03, 06:03 PM
Reptile171,

I suspect you're thinking of turtles, and the US law that prohibits their sale under 4"???? First of all, we're talking about snakes, and secondly, there is no such law in Canada, or Ontario...

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!