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)