Section 885.10  Definitions

"Act" means the Herptile-Herps Act [510 ILCS 68].

"Code" means the Fish and Aquatic Life Code [515 ILCS 5].

"Commercialize" means to sell, offer for sale, barter, trade or otherwise assign a commercial value to a herptile protected under this Part.

"Department" means the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"Educational Program" means a program of organized instruction or study for providing education intended to meet a public need.

"Herpetoculture" means the breeding, hatching, propagation, or raising of indigenous or native herptiles in captivity.

"Herptile" means any amphibian or reptile taxon and includes any species, hybrid, or intergrade thereof.

"Herptile Special Use Permit" means the permit issued by the Department under Section 10-15 of the Act and Sections 885.120, 885.140 and 885.150 of this Part that authorizes use of special use herptiles for programs of a bonafide educational purpose.

"HETP" means the Herptile Endangered Threatened Propagation Permit described in Section 885.103.

"HSCP" means the Herptile Scientific Collection Permit described in Section 885.50.

"Hybrid" means the offspring of two herptiles of different breeds, varieties, species, or genera.

"Indigenous" or "Native Taxa" means those amphibians and reptiles to the subspecies level (where applicable) that can be found naturally in this State.

"Individual" means a natural person.

"Intergrade" means the offspring of two herptiles of different subspecies.

"Limited Entry Special Use Herptile Permit" or "Limited Entry Permit" means a Herpetoculture Permit or Special Use Herptile Permit issued to a nonresident of Illinois allowing that person to bring specified herptiles into Illinois for a limited period not to exceed 30 days.

"Listed" means a species that is listed as endangered or threatened, either at the State level or the federal level.

"Medically Significant" means a venomous or poisonous species whose venom or toxin can cause death or serious illness or injury in humans that may require emergency room care or the immediate care of a physician.  These species are categorized as being "medically significant" or "medically important".

"Morphological Variation" means the form and structure of a herptile or any part of a herptile.  "Morphological variation" includes the outward appearance, structure, shape, color, pattern and size of a herptile.

"Non-listed" means a species that is not endangered or threatened.

"Owner" means an individual who has a legal right to the possession of a herptile.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, organization, trade or professional association, firm, limited liability company, joint venture or group.

"Possession Limit" means the maximum number or amount of herptiles either alive or dead that can be lawfully held or possessed by one person at any time.

"Possessor" means any person who possesses, keeps, harbors, brings into the State, cares for, acts as custodian for, has in his or her custody or control or holds a property right to a herptile.

"Propagation" means the act or process of maintaining any herptile in its natural environment or in a controlled environment that intentionally or unintentionally results in the production of eggs or offspring from the parent stock.  "Propagation" includes the attempt to produce eggs or offspring from the parent stock.

"Ranavirus" means any group of viruses in the family Iridoviridae that are highly infectious and often lethal to aquatic and terrestrial cold-blooded wildlife.  Ranaviruses can cause mass die-offs, especially in aquatic populations.  These viruses are found nearly worldwide and can infect any species of fish, amphibian or reptile.

"Resident" means a person who in good faith makes application for any license or permit and verifies by statement that he or she has maintained his or her permanent abode in this State for a period of at least 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the person's application, and who does not maintain permanent abode or claim residency in another state for the purposes of obtaining any of the same or similar licenses or permits under the Act.  A person's permanent abode is his or her fixed and permanent dwelling place, as distinguished from a temporary or transient place of residence.  Domiciliary intent is required to establish that the person is maintaining his or her permanent abode in this State.  Evidence of domiciliary intent includes, but is not limited to, the location where the person votes, pays personal income tax, or obtains a driver's license.  Any person qualifying as a resident under this definition who is on active duty in the Armed Forces shall be considered a resident of Illinois during his or her period of military duty.

"Special Use Herptile" means any taxon of amphibian or reptile (including, but not limited to crocodilians, Komodo dragons, crocodile monitor lizards, or venomous species) for which a Special Use Herptile Permit is required to acquire and possess.

"Take" means possess, collect, catch, detain, hunt, shoot, pursue, lure, kill, destroy, capture, gig or spear, trap or ensnare or harass, or an attempt to do so.

"Taxon" or the plural "Taxa" means a taxonomic category such as a genus, species or subspecies.

"Transport" or "Ship" means to convey by parcel post, express, freight, baggage or shipment by common carrier of any description; by automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle of any kind; by water or aircraft of any kind; or by any other means of transportation.  [510 ILCS 68/1-15]

"Voucher Herptile" means an actual herptile specimen deposited into a museum or scientific institution collection as proof of its existence in the locality at which it was collected.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.15  Purpose

This Part is established to govern the taking, acquisition, possession, transport, disposition and commercial use of herptiles defined and specified in the Act, the issuance of those permits, and reporting requirements.

Section 885.20  Seasons, Limits and Methods of Take for Bullfrogs, Snapping Turtles and Other Native Herptiles

a)         A sport fishing license is required for residents, unless exempt from a sport fishing license under Section 20-5 and 20-15 of the Code to legally collect or take any native herptile taxon.

b)         Bullfrogs and common snapping turtles may be taken only June 15 through October 15.  There is no closed season on all other non-listed native herptiles.

c)         The daily harvest limit for bullfrogs is eight, with a possession limit of 16.  The daily harvest limit for common snapping turtles is two, with a possession limit of four.

d)         Unless otherwise permitted under 510 ILCS 68/5-5, for non-listed native herptile taxa (excluding common snapping turtles and bullfrogs), the possession limit is eight collectively, with no more than four per species.  This includes live specimens or any parts thereof.

e)         Unless otherwise permitted under Section 885.60, bullfrogs may be taken by hand, gig, pitchfork, spear, landing net, bowfishing, and hook and line during bullfrog season.  Bowfishing for bullfrogs is prohibited at 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only sites noted in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 810.45, except during the dates where take of fish by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices are allowed at that site subject to any location specific uses of such devices.

f)         Unless otherwise permitted under Section 885.60, turtles other than common snapping turtles may be taken only by hand.  Common snapping turtles may be taken only by hand, hook and line or bow and arrow.  Bowfishing for bullfrogs is prohibited at 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only sites noted in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 810.45, except during the dates where take of fish by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices are allowed at that site subject to any location specific uses of such devices.  Common snapping turtles may not be taken by bow and arrow in the following counties:  Randolph, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Saline, Williamson, Jackson, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Massac, Pulaski and Alexander.

g)         Nonresidents

Nonresidents may not possess or collect herptiles collected from the wild within this State, except for scientific purposes to those individuals that have been issued a Herptile Scientific Collection permit.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.30  Counties Documented with Ranavirus

a)         Pursuant to 510 ILCS 68/30-10, collection of wild turtles for races or other types of events involving congregating and gathering numbers of wild turtles is prohibited in counties where ranavirus has been documented.

b)         The following Illinois counties have been documented with Ranavirus:  Clark, Cook, Jackson, Lake, Madison, Monroe and Vermilion.

c)         This Section may be amended to add additional counties as ongoing research documents new outbreaks of the virus in Illinois.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.40  Indigenous or Native Herptile Taxa List

The following list comprises Illinois' indigenous or native herptile taxa to the subspecies level, if applicable. A current list of State endangered/threatened species may be found in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1010. A single asterisk (*) denotes a venomous and special use species.

Salamanders

Frogs and Toads

Turtles

Lizards

Snakes

Section 885.45  Use of Boas, Pythons and Anacondas

a)         Any person using a boa, python or anaconda that is not native to the United States, at strictly educational events with no commercialization, sponsored by a school herpetological society, museum, zoo or nature center, must maintain control or physical possession of that species at all times.  [510 ILCS 68/15-15]  These events include, but are not limited to, the Chicago Herpetological Society's Reptile Fest, Wildlife Discovery Center's Reptile Rampage, Central Illinois Herpetological Society's Reptile Fair and Midwest Museum of Natural History's Rockin for the Reptiles.

b)         In strictly educational events as described in subsection (a), the owner or affiliated agent in control of the boa, python or anaconda shall ensure any contact with the snakes will be supervised and conducted in a manner that results in no physical harm to a member of the public.

c)         In licensed pet stores where someone may wish to handle the boa, python or anaconda prior to purchase, or for other reasons, handling shall be supervised and conducted by the owner or affiliated agent in a manner that results in no physical harm to a member of the public while interacting with the snakes.

Section 885.48  Medically Significant Amphibians

Medically significant poisonous/venomous amphibians, capable of causing bodily harm to humans or animals, may be possessed for educational purposes or research purposes by bona fide scientific or educational institutions.  Medically significant amphibians include cane or marine toads/suriname giant marine toads (Bufo marinus), Colorado river toads (Bufo alvarius), Smooth-sided toad (Rhaebo [Bufo] guttatus), any South American/ beaked/Rio Viejo/Crested toads (genus Rhinella), Bruno's casque headed frog (Aparasphenodon brunoi), Greening's frog (Corythomantis greening), Spring-headed or Coronated tree frog (Anotheca [Triprion] spinosa), and Ranwella's horned tree frog (Polypedates ranwellai), including hybrids or intergrades of any of the listed species in this Section.

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.50  Herptile Scientific Collection Permit Application

a)         Any person who wishes to do research on, take or salvage non-listed Illinois herptiles must obtain and possess a valid Herptile Scientific Collection Permit (HSCP) from the Department. The HSCP will permit, for strictly scientific purposes, the capture, marking, handling, banding or collection (including hide, skin, bones, teeth, claws, nest, eggs or young) of any of the herptiles not protected under federal law or the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act [520 ILCS 10], but now protected under the Herptiles-Herps Act.  Any collections made must be for permanent donation to bonafide public or state scientific, educational or zoological institutions.  There is no fee for this permit.  Any person who is under the direct control of the applicant, or who is employed by or under control of the applicant and will be assisting with the activities authorized under a HSCP must be listed in the permit application.

b)         To be eligible for an HSCP for scientific research or salvage, the applicant must:

1)         be at least 18 years of age;

2)         be engaged in scientific research, which may include, but is not necessarily limited to, research sponsored by universities, colleges or scientific institutions; and

3)         have public or state scientific, educational or zoological institutions available that will take any voucher herptiles that are collected.

c)         To be eligible for an HSCP for salvage and subsequent rehabilitation of injured herptiles, the applicant must:

1)         be at least 18 years of age;

2)         have held a salvage permit from the previous year or submit a reference statement from a licensed veterinarian, zoological curator, conservation police officer or an DNR wildlife resources, natural heritage or fisheries biologist, as appropriate, stating that the applicant has experience in treating and handling wild herptiles and has facilities available to treat, care for and produce self-dependent herptiles for release to the wild; and

3)         have public or state scientific, educational or zoological institutions available that will take voucher and/or permanently disabled herptiles. 

d)         Application for an HSCP can be found on the Departments website (www.dnr.illinois.gov) and shall be made on forms provided by the Department.  Information items requested on application forms will include, but are not limited to:  name, address, phone number, list of herptile species to be requested for that permit.  These forms may be submitted via email at DNR.HerpPermit@

illinois.gov.

e)         HSCPs will be issued by the Department provided the applicant has met the eligibility requirements of this Section and the application form has been completed.

f)         Collecting on Department-owned, -managed and -leased properties, including but not limited to, collecting in State Parks or Conservation Areas, Nature Preserves or Land and Water Reserves may require additional permits, pursuant to Section 6 of the State Parks Act [20 ILCS 835], Section 23 of the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act [525 ILCS 30], and 17 Ill. Adm. Code 110.70, 4000.570, 4000.580 and 4010.260.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.60  Herptile Scientific Collection Permit Provisions

a)         Full-time employees of state or federal conservation agencies shall be issued an HSCP at no charge for the term of their employment, as long as that person continues to submit, by January 31 of each year, an annual report of the past year's activities as defined in Section 885.70.

b)         The HSCP is valid for only the approved type of research and/or collection of a voucher herptile stated on the permit.  Under no circumstances shall an HSCP be used in lieu of sport or commercial licenses.  HSCPs exempt holders from herptile possession limits for strictly research only, whereas sport fishing licenses do have personal herptile possession limits and Herpetoculture Permits (see Sections 885.80, 885.90 and 885.100) exempt holders from herptile possession limits for personal or commercial purposes only.

c)         The permittee's method of taking herptiles must be approved by the Department.  All devices used for taking, which are left unattended, must have the permittee's name, address and HSCP number visible on them.

d)         Taking and/or salvage of herptiles shall be performed by or under the direct supervision of the permittee.  The permittee shall disclose in the permit application the name of any other person who will assist the permittee. The permittee must be present when any person named in the application is involved in the actual taking of herptiles.

e)         Taking and/or collection of a voucher herptile is only allowed in areas designated on the permit.

f)         Taking and/or collection of a voucher herptile on private properties requires oral or written landowner's or landowner designee's permission.  This permit does not allow the privilege of trespass.

g)         Taking and/or collection of a voucher herptile on Department-owned, -leased, or -managed lands, including, but not limited to, collection in State Parks, Conservation Areas, Nature Preserves or Land and Water Reserves, is not permitted without additional permits, pursuant to the State Parks Act, Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act and 17 Ill. Adm. Code 110.70, 4000.570, 4000.580 and 4010.260.

h)         The HSCP must be carried on the person at all times when taking specimens and be presented, upon request, to Department or law enforcement personnel.

i)          Except as otherwise stated on the face of a permit, any person who is under the direct control of the permittee, or who is employed by or under control of the permittee for the purposes authorized by the permit, may carry out the activity authorized by the permit.  Additional persons or agents must be disclosed on the application.

j)          Herptiles taken and rehabilitated shall be released to the wild here originally captured or shall be permanently donated to a public or state scientific educational or zoological institution.  Any proposed return of a herptile taken under an HSCP to the wild of Illinois must first be pre‑approved in writing by the Department.  Return of a herptile to the wild of Illinois without written approval by the Department will constitute a violation of this Part.

k)         The permittee is responsible for the taking activities under the permit and for submitting the annual report required by Section 885.70.  The permittee must maintain a record of all specimens taken for no less than two years and shall present that record, upon request, to Department or law enforcement personnel.

l)          An HSCP does not release the permittee from other provisions under the Act, nor from federal or other State statutes and does not supersede federal permits.

m)        No person shall transfer a permit issued under this Section to another person.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.70  Herptile Scientific Collection Permit Reports and Renewal

a)         By January 31 annually, the permit holder shall submit to the Department an annual report, either in hardcopy or online, on forms provided by the Department.  Failure to provide this report by the due date will result in a violation of this Part and denial of subsequent renewal requests by the permittee for a period of not less than one year.

b)         The permittee shall also provide the Department one copy of all written reports resulting from the permitted activities, in a format specified by the Department, including, but not limited to, reports, technical papers or technical notes.  Permits will be renewed only after copies of the annual report and all written reports have been received by the Department.  Permittees are required to update, when submitting the annual report, any applicable personal or contact information.

Section 885.80  Herpetoculture Permit Requirements, Application and Fees

a)         A Herpetoculture Permit is required of any persons wishing to:

1)         be exempt from the possession limits for non-listed native herptile taxa, regardless of whether the permit holder only possesses, or also breeds or commercializes;

2)         commercialize any non-listed native herptile taxa that have not originated from the wild in Illinois;

3)         breed (either intentionally or unintentionally) any non-listed native herptile taxa.

b)         Residents seeking to obtain a Herpetoculture Permit must submit an application form, provided by the Department at www.dnr.illinois.gov, along with a nonrefundable annual fee of $50.  Information items requested on application forms will include, but are not limited to:  name, address, phone number, list of herptile species to be requested for that permit.  These forms may be submitted via email at DNR.HerpPermit@illinois.gov. The Department will review and act on these permit requests within 60 days after receipt of the request. Residents applying for renewal of their permit must submit an application, along with annual reports for the preceding year's activities and a nonrefundable fee of $50. Applications may be mailed to IDNR, Herptile Permits, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702.

c)         Nonresidents seeking to obtain a limited entry Herpetoculture Permit to sell or offer for sale any non-listed native herptile taxa that have not originated from the wild in Illinois must submit an application, provided by the Department, along with a nonrefundable fee of $25.  This permit shall be valid for a specified period that does not exceed 15 consecutive days.

d)         Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.  All portions of the permit application must be completed in full and accompanied by the nonrefundable fee.  Incomplete applications will be rejected.  All non-listed native herptile taxa the applicant wishes to work with or commercialize must be listed on the permit application form.  Any person who is under the direct control of the applicant, or who is employed by or under control of the applicant and will be assisting with the activities authorized under a Herpetoculture Permit must be listed in the permit application.

e)         No Herpetoculture Permit will be issued for any special use herptile taxa. Special use herptile taxa are subject to permitting requirements of Section 885.120.

f)         Indigenous herptile taxa collected from the wild in this State, or any resulting offspring, may not be bred or commercialized, including any lineages of wild-caught Illinois herptiles, unless otherwise authorized by the Department, in writing, for research or recovery purposes.

g)         Release of any propagated indigenous herptile is prohibited unless authorized by the Department in writing.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.90  Herpetoculture Permit Provisions

a)         Additions of native herptile species to Herpetoculture Permits must be approved by the Department prior to acquisition of the species and any changes or reductions in native herptile species identified on the permit must be reported to the Department in writing no later than the first business day after the change or reduction occurs.

b)         Herpetoculture Permit holders must have in possession proof of origin of the native herptiles that are being sold or offered for sale.  This can be original receipts from when the permit holder acquired the specimens, along with photo documentation of subsequent hatching eggs and/or hatchlings.  Documentation must be presented, upon request, to any authorized officer or agent of the Department or local, state or federal law enforcement officer.

c)         Native herptile species held under a Herpetoculture Permit shall be maintained in facilities that meet the standards of Section 885.160.

d)         Receipts/bills of sale must be issued for each sale of native herptile species.  Failure to issue paper receipts/bills of sale or issuance of incomplete paper receipts/bills of sale shall constitute a violation of this Part.  Receipts/bills of sale shall include:

1)         name, address, phone number and Department Herpetoculture Permit number of the seller in the upper left hand corner;

2)         name, address and phone number of the buyer;

3)         date of transaction;

4)         quantities and species of each native herptile sold.

e)         Any sale of a native herptile to a nonresident shall be documented by a receipt/bill of sale as described in subsection (d) to verify, when the herptile is exiting the State, that it was legally obtained.

f)         Permits must be in the possession of the holder or his or her agent (the agent must be disclosed in the permit application) when engaged in activities involving native herptile species and must be presented, upon request, to any authorized officer or agent of the Department or any local, state or federal law enforcement officer.

g)         Except as otherwise stated on the face of a permit, any person who is under the direct control of the permittee, or who is employed by or under control of the permittee for the purposes authorized by the permit, may carry out the activity authorized by the permit.  Additional persons or agents must be disclosed on the application.

h)         No person shall transfer a Herpetoculture Permit to another person.

i)          The authorization on the face of a permit that allows specific activities (such as sale, possession, etc.), specifies numbers of native herptile species, or otherwise specifically limits the permit are to be strictly construed and shall not be interpreted to permit similar or related matters outside the scope of strict construction.

j)          All records of permit holder sales and purchases must be kept for a minimum of two years from the date of disposition of the herptile.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.100  Herpetoculture Permit Reporting and Renewal

a)         Resident permit holders shall submit a report by January 31 of each year on forms provided by the Department that summarizes activities conducted under the permit during the preceding calendar year.  Failure to submit this annual report by the due date will constitute a violation of this Part and may result in denial of subsequent renewal requests.

b)         Any permit holder approved to sell or offer to sell non-listed native herptiles shall present copies of receipts/bills of sale to any agent of the Department or authorized local, state or federal law enforcement officer upon request.  Failure to present copies of receipts/bills of sale will constitute a violation of this Part.

c)         Resident permit holders applying for renewal of the Herpetoculture Permit shall do so by January 31 of each year and shall submit the nonrefundable fee (see Section 885.80), along with the annual report.

d)         Nonresident Limited Entry Herpetoculture Permit holders shall submit a report within 30 days after the expiration of the permit, on forms provided by the Department, along with the copies of receipts/bills of sale.  Failure to provide to the Department the report and copies will constitute a violation of this Part.

Section 885.103  Herptile Endangered and Threatened Species Propagation Permit Requirements, Application and Fees

a)         A Herptile Endangered and Threatened Species Propagation Permit (HETP) is required of any resident wishing to:

1)         acquire or possess, for the purpose of propagation (intentionally or unintentionally), any herptiles listed under the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act [520 ILCS 10], that have been legally obtained; or

2)         commercialize or offer for sale, any captively propagated and hatched State or federally endangered/threatened herptiles that was legally obtained.

b)         A person must have a valid Department endangered/threatened species possession permit for any State or federally endangered/threatened herptile taxa or any hybrid, intergrade, cross, or morphological variation thereof prior to obtaining a permit under this Section.  Residents seeking to obtain an HETP must be a minimum of 18 years of age and submit an official application along with a non-refundable annual fee of $150.  Applications and instructions for submittal can be found at www.dnr.illinos.gov.

c)         Permits for possession only of endangered or threated species (i.e. no propagation either intentionally or unintentionally) must be applied for at: www://dnr.illinois.gov/ORCApplication Review.

d)         A current list of State endangered/threated herptiles can be found at 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1010.  A list of all federally endangered/threated species can be found at www://ecos.fws.gov.

e)         No HEPT will be issued for any special use herptiles defined in Section 885.120.  Special use herptiles are subject to permitting requirements under Section 885.120.

f)         Release of any propagated endangered/threatened herptiles is strictly prohibited unless authorized by the Department pursuant to Section 5-40 of the Act.

g)         Pursuant to Section 5-20(b) of the Act, any person issued a Herptile Endangered and Threatened Species Propagation permit by the Department who is in possession of a threatened or endangered (T/E) herptile species shall be exempt from an individual's overall possession limit under the permitting system set forth in this Act.  A permitted persons possession limit shall be listed on their issued HETP.

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.105  Herptile Endangered and Threatened Species Propagation Permit Provisions

a)         Additions of endangered/threated herptile species to an HETP must be approved by the Department prior to acquisition of the species.  Reductions in possessed quantities of endangered/threatened species identified on the permit must be reported to the Department in writing no later than the first business day after the reduction occurs.

b)         HETP holders must retain proof of origin of all endangered/threatened herptiles being propagated, sold, or offered for sale.  This can be original purchase receipts and/or a current Department endangered/threatened species possession permit, along with photo documentation of subsequent hatching eggs and/or hatchlings.  Documentation must be presented, upon request, to any authorized officer or agent of the Department or local, state or federal law enforcement officer.  The Department may require proof of origin for any State or federally endangered/threatened herptiles to be propagated if that information has not already been submitted to the Department.

c)         Endangered/threatened herptile species held under an HETP shall be maintained in facilities that meet the standards of Section 885.160.

d)         Receipts/bills of sale must be issued to all Illinois residents, as well as non-residents, for each sale of endangered/threatened herptile species.  Failure to issue paper receipts/bills of sale or incomplete paper receipts/bills of sale shall constitute a violation of this Part.  Receipts bills of sale shall include:

1)         name, address, phone number and Department HETP number of the seller in the upper left hand corner;

2)         name, address, phone number and Department permit number (both HETP and Department endangered/threatened species possession permit), where applicable, of the buyer;

3)         date of transaction; and

4)         quantity of each endangered/threatened herptile sold.

e)         It is unlawful to sell an endangered/threatened herptile to an Illinois resident who does not have either a current Department endangered/threatened species possession permit, and/or HETP, allowing possession of the species being sold.  Sellers must be presented with either an electronic or hard copy of the buyer's permit before completing any transaction.

f)         Permits must be in the possession of the holder, or the permit holder's agent (agent must be disclosed in the permit application) when engaged in activities involving endangered/threatened herptiles.  Permits must be presented, upon request, to any authorized officer or agent of the Department, or any local, State or federal law enforcement officer.  Failure to present permits shall constitute a violation of this Part.

g)         No person shall transfer an HETP to another person.

h)         The authorization on the face of a permit that allows specific activities (such as sale, possession, etc.), specifies quantities of endangered/threatened herptile species, or other special conditions are to be strictly adhered to and shall not be interpreted to allow similar or related matters outside the scope of the permit.

i)          Copies of all sales and purchase records shall be kept for a minimum of two years after the date of disposition of any endangered/threatened herptile.  Failure to present copies of receipts/bills of sale to any agent of the Department or authorized local State or federal law enforcement officer upon request shall constitute a violation of this Part.

j)          Any hybrid, intergrade, cross, or morphological variation of any listed herptile shall be treated as an endangered or threatened herptile under this Part.  Examples of these include, but are not limited to:  scaleless corn snakes, root beer corn snakes, creamsicle/dreamsicle corn snakes, and Slowinski/Kisatchie rat snakes.

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.107  Herptile Endangered and Threatened Species Propagation Permit Reporting and Renewal

a)         All HETP holders shall submit an annual report by January 31 of each year summarizing activities conducted under the permit during the preceding calendar year.  Permit holders applying for HETP renewal shall do so by January 31 of each year and submit the non-refundable fee (see Section 885.103), along with the annual report.

b)         Annual report forms can be accessed at: www.dnr.illinois.gov.

c)         Permit holders must notify the Department in writing of any changes in name, address, or similar contact information within five business days after making such a change.

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.110  Medically Significant Rear-fanged Colubridae

a)         The following 15 medically significant colubrid genera are subject to this Section:  Alsophis, Boiga, Conophis, Hydrodynastes, Macropisthodon, Malpolon, Oligodon, Phalotris, Philodryas, Psammophis, Rhamphiophis, Thrasops, Tomodon, Waglerophis and Xenodon [510 ILCS 68/10-5].

b)         Except for boomslangs (Dispholidus), twig snakes (Thelotornis), keelbacks (Rhabdophis), Blanding's tree snake (Toxicodendron), brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), Green Palmsnake or Common green racer (Philodryas [Chlorosoma] viridissima), and Lichtenstein's green racer (Philodryas olfersii), all other medically significant species within the genera listed in subsection (a) may be kept with a Herptile Special Use Permit and be exempt from the required hours of experience needed (see Section 10-15 of the Act) and liability insurance requirement (see Section 60-5 of the Act).  Annual permit fee, reporting requirements, prohibition on breeding (intentional or unintentional), and required educational programs remain in effect.  The facilities to be used to house rear-fanged colubrids must still meet the standards of Article 10 of the Act (Venomous Reptiles) and Section 885.160.  Experience with rear-fanged colubrids will not count towards experience with other venomous species.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.120  Resident Herptile Special Use Permit Requirements, Application and Fee

a)         A Herptile Special Use Permit is required of any resident who commits to conducting at least six educational programs per calendar years, for which the resident is seeking to possess any venomous reptile or other special use herptile species, including, but not limited to, any crocodilian, Komodo dragon or crocodile monitor lizard, pursuant to Articles 10, 20 (Crocodilians) and 25 (Monitor Lizards) of the Act, unless exempted under Section 110-5 of the Act.  An application for a Herptile Special Use Permit must file an application with the Department on a form provided by the Department.  Information items requested on application forms will include, but are not limited to:  name, address, phone number, list of herptile species to be requested for that permit.  Any person who is under the direct control of the applicant, or who is employed by or under control of the applicant and will be assisting with the activities authorized under a Resident Herptile Special Use Permit must be listed in the permit application.  These forms may be submitted via email at DNR.HerpPermit@illinois.gov, or hardcopy applications may be mailed to IDNR, Herptile Permits, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL  62702. A period of 60 days should be allowed for the Department to receive and approve permits. Unless otherwise exempted by the Department, prior to any person obtaining a Herptile Special Use Permit, the following criteria must be met:

1)         Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and complete all portions of the permit application form.  Incomplete applications will be rejected.

2)         Each applicant must submit payment for each application.  The nonrefundable annual fee for a residential Herptile Special Use Permit shall be $250 per permittee. 

3)         The requirements of Article 60 of the Act (Herptile Special Use Requirements) must be met.

4)         The venomous or special use herptile species applied for must be included in the approved list in Section 10-20, 20-5 or 25-5 of the Act.

5)         Unless otherwise exempted, proof of the liability insurance or surety bond required by Section 60-5 of the Act shall be provided and maintained during the term of the permit.

b)         In addition to completing a permit application form provided by the Department, the applicant must submit:

1)         an outline of the educational program to be presented.  Every educational program shall include information on the status of the special use herptiles being displayed or utilized and an explanation of the legal acquisition of the specimens;

2)         a list of all similar programs conducted by the applicant during the two years preceding the application for a Herptile Special Use Permit, including estimates of the number of persons attending each presentation;

3)         a statement as to how the possession of the specimens or products of special use herptiles by the applicant will enhance the welfare of the species involved; and

4)         a description, including photographs, of the facilities intended for use in holding the special use herptile species.

c)         A permit for special use herptiles may be issued if the applicant meets the following criteria:

1)         unless exempted (see Section 885.110(b)), the credentials and required hours of experience of the applicant indicate training and experience that will assure the applicant has the ability to conduct the proposed programs;

2)         the program promotes the survival of the special use herptile species and its natural habitat;

3)         the program promotes understanding of the ecological needs of natural populations of the species;

4)         the program promotes understanding of the role of the special use herptile species in its natural environment;

5)         the applicable nonrefundable fee has been submitted (see subsection (a)(2));

6)         unless otherwise exempted, the permit holder has obtained the amount of liability insurance applicable to the number of special use herptiles (see Section 885.150(b)(3));

7)         the facilities to be used to house special use herptile species are shown to meet the standards defined in Section 885.160; and

8)         a pre-inspection of the proposed facilities has been conducted and the Department has approved the facility.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.130  Resident Herptile Special Use Permit Provisions

a)         Special use herptiles for which a Herptile Special Use Permit has been issued will not count against an individual's possession limits under the Herpetoculture Permit. 

b)         It shall be unlawful for any person to propagate or attempt to propagate any special use herptile, either intentionally or unintentionally, without a Herptile Special Use Permit.

c)         It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any special use herptile without a Herptile Special Use Permit.

d)         Additions of specimens to Herptile Special Use Permits must be approved prior to acquisition of the specimens. Any changes in numbers of specimens possessed must be reported to the Department in writing no later than the first business day after that change occurs.

e)         A minimum of six documented educational programs shall be required of each permittee per calendar year.

f)         The special use herptile shall be maintained in a facility that meets the requirements of Sections 10-25, 20-15 and 25-15 of the Act and Section 885.160 of this Part.

g)         Educational program use of special use herptiles shall be in accordance with Sections 10-30, 20-20 and 25-20 of the Act.

h)         Transport of special use herptiles shall be in accordance with Sections 10-35, 20-25 and 25-25 of the Act.

i)          All special use herptiles must be pit-tagged or microchipped to individually identify them unless the specimen is too small to be tagged or chipped.  In that case, a color photograph documenting pattern aberrancies unique to that specimen may be accepted until the herptile is larger, at the sole discretion of the Department.

j)          The Herptile Special Use Permit, or a valid copy of the permit, must be in the possession of the holder or his or her agent (the agent must be disclosed in the permit application) when engaged in activities involving special use herptile species and presented upon demand to any authorized officer or agent of the Department or authorized local, State or federal law enforcement officer.

k)         Except as otherwise stated on the face of a permit, any person who is under the direct control of the permittee, or who is employed by or under control of the permittee for the purposes authorized by the permit, may carry out the activity authorized by the permit.  Additional persons or agents must be disclosed on the application.

l)          No person shall transfer a Herptile Special Use Permit to another person.

m)        The authorization on the face of a permit that allows specific activities (such as taking, possession, etc.), specifies the number or quantity of special use herptile specimens or products, or otherwise specifically limits the permit are to be strictly construed and shall not be interpreted to permit similar or related matters outside the scope of strict construction.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.140  Resident Herptile Special Use Permit Reporting Requirements

a)         A person who possesses any special use herptile must maintain records pertaining to the acquisition, possession and disposition of the special use herptile.

b)         These records shall be maintained for a minimum of 2 years after the date the special use herptile is no longer in possession of the permit holder.  All records are subject to inspection by any authorized officer or agent of the Department or authorized local, state or federal law enforcement officer.

c)         All pit-tag or microchip numbers, and any identifying photographs, are to be maintained as other pertinent records, unless otherwise provided.

d)         Holders of Herptile Special Use Permits shall submit a report by January 31 of each year on forms provided by the Department that summarizes activities conducted under the permit during the preceding calendar year.  Failure to submit this annual report by the due date will constitute a violation of this Part.

e)         Permit holders may transfer special use herptiles to other permit holders with written approved by the Department. The transferring permit holder must include copies of receipts/bills of sale with the annual report. Failure to provide copies of receipts/bills of sale will constitute a violation of this Part.

f)         Permit holders seeking to renew their Herptile Special Use Permits must submit the renewal application by January 31 of each year and must submit the nonrefundable permit fee (see Section 885.120(a)(2)), liability insurance renewal (if applicable), and proof of educational programs, along with the annual reports.

g)         A permit holder shall notify the Department in writing of any change in his or her name or address or any change in his or her operations within 10 days after making the change.

Section 885.150  Limited Entry (Nonresident) Special Use Herptile Permits; Fees, Reporting and Renewal

a)         Nonresidents seeking to transport, ship or display venomous or other special use herptiles through or within the State must apply for a Limited Entry Special Use Herptile Permit.  The permit shall be valid for a specified period that does not exceed 15 consecutive days.  Any person who is under the direct control of the applicant, or who is employed by or under control of the applicant and will be assisting with the activities authorized under a Limited Entry Special Use Herptile Permit must be listed in the permit application.  The nonrefundable fee for the Limited Entry Permit is $25.  [510 ILCS 68/65-5]

b)         The Department may issue a Limited Entry Permit to an applicant who:

1)         is not a resident of this State;

2)         complies with the requirements of the Act and this Part;

3)         provides proof to the Department that he or she shall, during the permit term, maintain sufficient liability insurance coverage of $100,000 per special use herptile, up to a maximum of $1,000,000;

4)         pays to the Department, along with each Limited Entry Permit, a nonrefundable fee of $25;

5)         uses the special use herptile for an activity authorized in the Limited Entry Permit [510 ILCS 68/65-5]; and

6)         meets the standards defined in Article 10 of the Act and Section 885.160 of this Part to house special use herptiles.

c)         In addition to completing a Limited Entry Permit application form provided by the Department, the applicant must submit:

1)         a description, including photographs, of the facilities intended for use in holding the special use herptiles while in Illinois;

2)         the name and address of any venues where the special use herptiles will appear;

3)         the dates of entry and exit from the State;

4)         a complete inventory of special use herptiles entering the State with the applicant; and

5)         a verified statement that any specimens to be possessed while in Illinois have been obtained legally.

d)         Limited Entry Permit holders must submit a report to the Department within 30 days after the expiration of the permit, on forms provided by the Department. Failure to provide required reports can result in denial of subsequent permit requests.

e)         Permits must be in the possession of the holder or the permit holder's agent (agent must be disclosed in the permit application) when engaged in activities involving Special Use herptile species and must be presented, upon request, to any authorized officer or agent of the Department or any local, State or federal law enforcement officer.

f)         Except as otherwise stated on the face of a permit, any person who is under the direct control of the permittee, or who is employed by or under control of the permittee for the purposes authorized by the permit, may carry out the activity authorized by the permit.  Additional persons or agents must be disclosed on the application.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.155  Herptile Diseases

a)         Herptile diseases include, Ranavirus, chytrid fungus, of amphibians (Batrachochytrium dendrobatitis and Batrachocytrium salamandrivorans), Snake Fungal Disease, and turtle shell fungal disease (Emydomyces testovorans).

b)         Owners and possessors of herptiles shall observe the health of their animals.  Any herptile diagnosed positively with any herptile disease, shall be reported to the Department via email to DNR.HerpPermit@illinois.gov.  Owners and possessors must ensure that their animals do not infect wild herptiles in Illinois. 

c)         The Department may recommend testing for herptile disease specific to a species of interest.  A positive diagnosis from these tests may result in a required quarantine and treatment period that will be determined by a licensed veterinarian.  Reporting to the Department will include date of veterinary visit, owner or possessor name and contact information, veterinarian's name and contact information, herptile species affected, pathogen tested, method of test, and outcome of animal (euthanized or alive).  Reports will be sent to DNR.HerpPermit@illinois.gov.

d)         Water, bedding, or other materials that have been in contact with a herptile disease that tested positive shall be disinfected prior to disposal such that infectious pathogens are no longer present in the affected material.  Acceptable methods of disinfection include a 3% bleach bath for five minutes, autoclave, heat greater than 250 degrees for 30 minutes, or other methods approved by the Department.  Owners and Possessor shall report method of disinfection used to DNR.HerpPermit@illinois.gov.

e)         A herptile positively diagnosed with a herptile disease may not be propagated or transferred/commercialized to another person until determined free of disease by a veterinarian and approved by the Department.  The Department may require owners or possessors to provide proof of testing, which may be at their expense, confirming the animal is free from disease. 

f)         Any wild release of captive-housed herptiles must be free from herptile diseases and approved by the Department prior to release.  The Department may require owners or possessors to provide proof of testing, which may be at their expense, confirming the animal is free from disease. 

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.160  Herptile Facilities and Welfare Standards

a)         Facility Standards

All Herpetoculture, Herptile Endangered and Threatened Species Propagation, and Herptile Special Use Permit holders shall keep herptiles in a secure, escape-proof enclosure that is large enough to allow the herptiles reasonable movement. The herptiles shall be supplied clean water, cover and a clean environment and shall be fed regularly. 

1)         Enclosures must be relatively free of feces and multiple shed skins. Non-eaten food items must be removed.  Each permit holder must demonstrate that his or her premises and any facilities used in his or her operation comply with this Section.

2)         The facility must be constructed of materials of sufficient strength and design to prohibit escape, and enclosures must be of dimensions that allow the intended species to move about freely.  Facilities shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect herptiles from damage by unauthorized persons or from other causes.  Electric power, if required to comply with other provisions of this Section, shall be available on the premises.

3)         Temperatures in indoor facilities shall be regulated by heating or cooling to simulate conditions of the herptile's natural environment.  Indoor facilities shall have lighting, by natural or artificial means or both, of quality, intensity, color, temperature, distribution and duration appropriate for the species.

4)         Outdoor facilities shall be sited and constructed to simulate the natural environment of the herptile with regard to humidity, moisture, temperature, lighting, cover, clean water, and all other factors necessary for survival and growth.

b)         Inspection of Facilities

To assure adequacy of facilities when a permit application is being reviewed, or upon receipt of a complaint, the applicant/permit holder shall make the premises, facilities and equipment available at any reasonable hour for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the Act and this Part.  If the applicant's/permit holder's premises, facilities or equipment do not meet the requirements of the Act and this Part, the applicant/permit holder will be advised of deficiencies and the corrective measures that must be taken to bring the premises, facilities and equipment into compliance.  The permit holder will be given a deadline by which prescribed corrective measures must be completed.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)

Section 885.170  Denial, Suspension, and Revocation Procedures

a)         Permit Denial. No person shall be issued a permit under this Part if their privileges to obtain a permit are suspended or a permit is revoked at any time during their application process.

b)         Suspension or Revocation of Permits. In accordance with Section 5-20 and 70-5 of the Act, failure to comply with any provision of the Act may result in suspension or revocation of any permit issued pursuant to the Act.  The timeframe for the suspension of permits and the procedure by which suspensions and revocations are made, the rights of permittees to notice and hearing, and the procedures governing such hearings are set forth in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)