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| Regulations by Species |
| REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS - Seasons & Limits |
| Species |
Season |
Daily Limit |
Possession Limit |
| Bullfrog |
July 1 through October 31 |
10 (combined species) |
20 (combined species) |
| Northern Green Frog |
July 1 through October 31 |
10 (combined species) |
20 (combined species) |
| Snapping Turtle |
July 1 through October 31 |
15 |
30 |
| Amphibian Eggs and Tadpoles |
No closed season |
15 (combined species) |
15 (combined species) |
| Timber Rattlesnake* |
June 8 through July 31 |
1 annual limit** (must be at least 42 inches in length, measured lengthwise along the dorsal surface from the snout to the tail, excluding the rattle, and must possess 21 or more subcaudal scales.***) |
| Northern Copperhead |
June 8 through July 31 |
1 annual limit** |
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* It is unlawful to hunt, take, catch, or kill timber rattlesnakes west of Route 15 and south of Interstate 81 to the Maryland line where there is no open season.
** It is unlawful to possess, take, catch, or kill more than one timber rattlesnake or northern copperhead per calendar year except as provided in Chapter 79.7(f) (Fish & Boat Code) relating to organized reptile and amphibian hunt permits. It is unlawful to possess more than one timber rattlesnake or northern copperhead at any time except as provided in Chapter 79.7(f) (Fish & Boat Code).
*** Subcaudal scales are large flat scales located on the underside of a timber rattlesnake between the vent (anal scale) and the base of the tail rattle. |
| Snapping Turtle Consumption Advice – Snapping turtle meat has been found to contain only small amounts of PCB’s and is safe to eat without restrictions. Snapping turtles do retain PCBs in their fat and internal organs. If you choose to eat snapping turtles, you can reduce your exposure by carefully trimming away all fat and internal organs and discarding them before cooking the meat or making soup. See our Fish Consumption Advisory for more consumption information. |
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The following ENDANGERED and THREATENED native species have NO OPEN SEASON.
The DAILY LIMIT is 0 (zero) and POSSESSION LIMIT is 0 (zero). |
| The Commission has identified some species of reptiles, amphibians, fish and aquatic organisms as endangered, threatened or candidate species. Endangered and threatened species face extirpation and have NO OPEN SEASON. |
| SALAMANDERS |
| Eastern Mud Salamander (Endangered) |
| Green Salamander (Threatened) |
| Blue-spotted Salamader (Endangered) |
| FROGS and TOADS |
| Eastern Spadefoot (Endangered) |
| New Jersey Chorus Frog (Endangered) |
| Northern Cricket Frog (Endangered) |
| Southern Leopard Frog (Endangered) |
|
| SNAKES |
| Eastern Massasauga (Endangered) |
| Kirtland's Snake (Endangered) |
| Rough Green Snake (Endangered) |
| TURTLES |
| Bog Turtle (Endangered) |
| Eastern Mud Turtle (Endangered) |
| Redbelly Turtle (Threatened) |
|
|
| Click here for a list of all ENDANGERED, THREATENED AND CANDIDATE FISH SPECIES |
|
The following native species have NO OPEN SEASON.
The DAILY LIMIT is 0 (zero) and POSSESSION LIMIT is 0 (zero). |
| SALAMANDERS |
| Eastern Hellbender |
| Four-toed Salamander |
| Jefferson Salamander |
| Marbled Salamander |
| Mudpuppy |
| Northern Ravine Salamander |
| FROGS and TOADS |
| Mountain Chorus Frog |
| Upland Chorus Frog |
| Western Chorus Frog |
|
| SNAKES |
| Eastern Hognose Snake |
| Eastern Ribbon Snake |
| Eastern Smooth Earth Snake |
| Eastern Smooth Green Snake |
| Eastern Worm Snake |
| Mountain Earth Snake |
| Queen Snake |
| Shorthead Garter Snake |
|
| TURTLES |
| Blanding's Turtle |
| Eastern Box Turtle |
| Spotted Turtle |
| Wood Turtle |
| SKINKS / LIZARDS |
| Broadhead Skink |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Northern Coal Skink |
|
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|
The following native reptile and amphibian species have NO CLOSED SEASON.
The DAILY LIMIT is 1 (one) and POSSESSION LIMIT is 1 (one). |
| SALAMANDERS |
| Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander |
| Eastern Redback Salamander |
| Eastern Red-Spotted Newt |
| Longtail Salamander |
| Northern Dusky Salamander |
| Northern Red Salamander |
| Northern Slimy Salamander |
| Northern Spring Salamander |
| Northern Two-lined Salamander |
| Seal Salamander |
| Spotted Salamander |
| Wehrle's Salamander |
| Valley and Ridge Salamander |
|
| FROGS and TOADS |
| Eastern American Toad |
| Eastern Gray Treefrog |
| Fowler's Toad |
| Northern Leopard Frog |
| Pickerel Frog |
| Spring Peeper |
| Wood Frog |
| SNAKES |
| Eastern Garter Snake |
| Eastern Milksnake |
| Eastern Ratsnake |
| Northern Black Racer |
| Northern Brown Snake |
| Northern Redbelly Snake |
| Northern Ringneck Snake |
| Northern Water Snake |
|
| TURTLES |
| Eastern Mud Turtle |
| Eastern Musk Turtle |
| Eastern Painted Turtle |
| Eastern Spiny Softshell |
| Map Turtle |
| Midland Painted Turtles |
| SKINKS / LIZARDS |
| Five-lined Skink |
|
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| The practice of catch and release of amphibians and reptiles is encouraged. |
| Additional Restrictions for ALL Reptiles & Amphibians |
- A fishing license is required to catch or take reptiles and amphibians from either the waters or lands of the Commonwealth.
- Unless otherwise indicated, reptiles and amphibians may only be taken by hand, hook, snake tongs, turtle hooks, traps and nets less than four feet square or four feet in diameter.
- It is unlawful to take, catch or kill a reptile or amphibian through the use of firearms, chemicals, explosives, winches, jacks or other devices.
- It is unlawful to damage or disrupt the nest or eggs of a reptile or to gather, take or possess the eggs of any reptile in the natural environment of this Commonwealth.
- It is unlawful to take, catch, kill or possess for the purposes of selling or offering for sale, importing or exporting for consideration, trading or bartering or purchasing an amphibian or reptile whether dead or alive, in whole or in parts, including the eggs or any life stage that was taken from lands or waters within this Commonwealth.
- It is unlawful to transport or import into or within this Commonwealth a native species from another jurisdiction. It is also unlawful to receive a native species that was transported or imported into or within this Commonwealth from another jurisdiction.
- Taking, catching and possessing amphibians and reptiles in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources natural
areas designated by posters is prohibited.
Frogs
- The use of artificial light to take frogs at night is illegal.
- Frogs may be taken with long bow and arrow, including compound bows, crossbows, spears or gigs. Spears or gigs may not have more than five barbs and cannot be used in approved
trout waters.
Turtles
- Set-lines, turtle traps, or other devices for catching turtles must include a tag indicating the name, address and phone number of the owner or user. Traps, nets or other devices must be of a floating or partially submerged design so as to allow for the release of untargeted turtles. Hooks must be at least 3.5 inches long with not less than one inch space between the point and shank of the hook. The number of lines or hooks per line is unlimited.
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| Permits |
 A permit is required to hunt, take, catch, kill or possess timber rattlesnakes and northern copperhead snakes.
A permit is required to hunt, take, catch or kill common snapping turtles for the purpose of sale, barter or trade. |
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| Summary Book Index |
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