Arrowhead Reptile Rescue

WILDLIFE AND LAWS

Arrowhead's main goal is protecting one of our most valuable natural resources, Ohio wildlife. Our rehabilitators have over 50 years of combined experience in wildlife rehabilitation, and we aim to treat and release every animal we can. From turtles hit by cars to the snake that became a cat toy, we take in and help any and all reptile wildlife. Wild animals are never adopted as pets and are released whenever possible.

If you find a turtle in the road, simply move him to the other side and never take them home. Wild animals can harbor disease and parasites and do not appreciate being captive. If you are interested in helping Arrowhead protect our native reptiles and amphibians, please click here for more details on what you can do to help.

Ohio's Native Reptiles	Ohio's Native Amphibians
If you findinjured or orphaned wildlife	Authorized Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators
Can I release my pet into the wild?	Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators Assn
What to do about a nuisance wild reptile	National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assn
Save the Timber Rattlesnakes in Ohio	International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

iNaturalist species database

NatureServe species database

USGS NAS Species Database

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

ARR Resources and Reference Material
for Reptile and Amphibian Rehabilitators

NOTICE:
ODNR rules require all pet native reptiles (species from Ohio) must have microchips and a permit.

NOTICE:
Wild box turtles are a protected species in Ohio. It is illegal to capture, possess, buy, sell, trade, or harm a wild box turtle.

NOTICE:
New Ohio laws restrict or ban ownership and possession of many exotic animal species, including some commonly kept pet reptiles.

With new and ever changing laws concerning reptiles and pets in general, the following links will take you to information from state and federal agencies concerning both exotic and native pets. There may be local ordinances in your area that this does not cover. Check for laws at the county and municipal level you live in. Federal and state law might not address a certain species of pet, but your county or city may very well have a ban or restrictions.

Bans the possession and sale of crocodilians, restricts the sale and possession of giant constrictors and venomous snakes.

OHIO EXOTIC ANIMAL BAN

OHIO REVISED CODE 935: WILD ANIMALS AND SNAKES

OHIO ADMIN CODE 901:1-4 DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS

USDA APHIS ANIMAL WELFARE ACT

Regulates the possession, purchase, sale, trapping, harvest, capture, and trade of reptiles and amphibians native to Ohio.

OHIO NATIVE REPTILE AND
AMPHIBIAN REGULATIONS

OHIO ADMINISTRATIVE CODES
501:31-25 WILD ANIMAL COLLECTING

OHIO NATIVE REPTILES
ODNR SPECIES DATABASE

OHIO NATIVE AMPHIBIANS
ODNR SPECIES DATABASE