312 IAC 9-11-13.5 - Confinement and enclosure requirements for venomous reptiles and crocodilians
Authority: IC 14-22-2-6; IC 14-22-26-3; IC 14-22-26-6; IC 14-22-34-17
Affected: IC 14-22
Sec. 13.5.
(a) This
section sets standards for confining and enclosing venomous reptiles and
crocodilians that must be satisfied by a person licensed under this
rule.
(b) A venomous reptile must
be provided with the following:
(1) The
perimeter of the enclosure for a snake less than six (6) feet long shall be at
least one and one-half (1½) times the length of the snake. The perimeter
of the enclosure for a snake at least six (6) feet long shall be at least two
(2) times the length of the snake.
(2) For each venomous lizard, a cage with
rounded corners must be provided that is at least twenty-four (24) inches long,
eighteen (18) inches wide, and fifteen (15) inches high. For each additional
lizard, the size of the cage shall be increased by four (4) inches in length
and width.
(3) All enclosures must
be adequately ventilated. The floor of the enclosure shall be constructed of a
nonabrasive material. The substrate shall facilitate the ability to maintain a
clean and healthy environment. Hiding areas shall be provided for each
animal.
(4) The containers for
venomous reptiles shall be labeled with the common and scientific name
(scientific genus and species name) of the species and the number of the
animals contained inside. The label shall be legibly marked with the warning:
Poisonous or Venomous.
(5) Indoor
cages shall be fronted with Plexiglas, acrylic, or plate glass at least
one-fourth (¼) inch thick. Cages are to be tightly closed at the top,
and all doors are to be tightly fitted and securely locked. Cages must be
constructed of one (1) of the following:
(A)
Waterproof plywood at least one-fourth (¼) inch thick.
(B) Concrete plastered over wire.
(C) Sheet metal.
(D) Interlocking lumber at least
three-fourths (¾) inch thick.
(E) Fiberglass.
(F) Plastic.
(6) Outdoor cages or pits shall have floors
of concrete or masonry construction at least two (2) inches thick. Sides shall
be similar construction at least six (6) inches thick, with a minimum height of
four (4) feet from the floor unless completely roofed over by close-meshed
wire. The corners of open pits shall be designed or guarded to prevent the
escape of reptiles by climbing. Entrance doors accessible to the public shall
be kept key locked.
(c)
Crocodilians that are at least five (5) feet long must be provided with the
following:
(1) The cage must be at least one
and one-half (1½) times as long and wide as each animal in the
enclosure.
(2) The cage walls must
be constructed of one (1) of the following:
(A) Concrete.
(B) Concrete block.
(C) Nine (9) gauge chain link or welded wire
with no more than two (2) inch by four (4) inch size mesh.
(3) One-third (a) of the cage space shall be
a pool of water that is deep enough for an animal to immerse itself. If more
than one (1) animal is present, the pool shall be large enough so all animals
can immerse themselves simultaneously. Pool surfaces shall be made of
nonabrasive material, and the pool shall have a drain.
(4) The portion of an enclosure not occupied
by the pool shall be covered with nonabrasive material, such as earth or
grass.
(5) Crocodilians shall be
confined in a manner that precludes them from coming into contact with the
public.
(6) The walls of an open
pen shall be at least six (6) feet high. If a wall is made of climbable
material, such as fencing, the top one and one-half (1½) feet shall be
constructed of a slippery, nonclimbable material. A wall shall either be buried
deeply enough to prevent escape by digging or shall be fitted with a buried
apron. Chain link or welded wire edges shall be smoothly secured to prevent
injury to the animals.
(7) The
walls of a totally enclosed pen shall have the upper one-half (½)
constructed of one (1) of the following:
(A)
Concrete.
(B) Concrete
block.
(C) Nine (9) gauge chain
link or welded wire with no more greater than two (2) inch by four (4) inch
size mesh. Concrete or concrete block shall be used for the lower one-half
(½) of the enclosure. A wall shall be buried deeply enough to prevent
escape by digging or shall be fitted with a buried apron. Chain link or welded
wire edges shall be smoothly secured to prevent injury to the
animals.
(d)
Notwithstanding section 14(c) of this rule, a person who possesses a venomous
reptile or crocodilian that was lawfully acquired by the person, and used for a
purpose described in section 14(c) of this rule before September 1, 1999, may
continue the purpose where the person files with the department a written
petition by November 1, 1999, that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
department:
(1) the identity of the reptile
and its lawful acquisition;
(2) the
purpose to which the reptile has been and would continue to be put;
(3) precautions to make it unlikely the
reptile would pose a hazard to another person or the property of another
person; and
(4) assurances the
reptile has been and would continue to be treated humanely.
Notes
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