Md. Code Regs. 08.03.11.08 - Sanitary Housing and Shipping Requirements
A. Reptiles and amphibians held in captivity under
the authority of this chapter shall be housed under conditions which are humane,
safe, and healthy.
B. Housing conditions
shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1)
Enclosures shall be designed to:
(a) Provide
appropriate lighting, temperatures, humidity, and clean water to meet the physical
requirements of the reptile or amphibian,
(b) Keep the reptile or amphibian in complete and
continuous captivity,
(c) Restrict the
entry of unauthorized persons or predatory animals,
(d) Provide sufficient fresh food and clean water
to fulfill the reptile or amphibian's dietary requirements and present the food and
water in a manner compatible with the reptile or amphibian's particular eating
habits, and
(e) Minimize any potential
danger to humans;
(2)
Enclosures shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and good repair;
(3) Equipment shall be available for proper
storage and disposal of waste material to control vermin, insects, and obnoxious
odors;
(4) Effective measures shall be
provided to prevent and control infection and infestation of disease, parasites, or
vermin;
(5) Adequate shelter shall be
provided for the comfort of the animal and, when necessary, for the isolation of
diseased reptiles or amphibians; and
(6)
Reptiles or amphibians that are housed together shall be maintained in compatible
groups without overcrowding.
C. Standards for Shipping and Transportation of
Live Reptiles and Amphibians.
(1) Container Design
and Maintenance.
(a) Containers used for the
transport of live animals shall be designed, constructed, and fitted as appropriate
to the species, size, and weight of the animals to be transported. Special attention
shall be paid to the avoidance of injury to animals through the use of secure smooth
fittings or walls free from sharp protrusions.
(b) Containers shall be designed with the
structures necessary to provide protection from adverse weather conditions and to
minimize the opportunity for animals to escape.
(c) In order to minimize the likelihood of the
spread of infectious disease during transport, containers shall be designed to
permit thorough cleaning and disinfection. The cleaning and disinfection shall be
completed after animals have been removed from the container.
(d) Containers shall be maintained in good
mechanical and structural condition.
(e)
Containers shall have adequate ventilation to meet variations in climate and the
thermo-regulatory needs of the species to be transported.
(f) For salamanders, frogs, toads, and juvenile
turtles, sufficient moisture shall be available and applied to prevent desiccation
of the animal. Turtles may not be transported in water.
(2) Provisions for Transport.
(a) Containers shall be adequately designed and
positioned during transport so that the containers are securely fastened within the
vehicle.
(b) Vehicles shall have
adequate ventilation to meet variations in climate and the thermo-regulatory needs
of the species being transported.
(c)
For salamanders, frogs, toads, and juvenile turtles, sufficient moisture shall be
available and applied to prevent desiccation of the animal.
(3) Space allowance considerations shall:
(a) Limit the number of animals that may be
transported in a container to only one animal per compartment;
(b) Ensure that each animal is able to assume its
natural position during transport, including during loading and unloading, without
coming into contact with the roof or upper deck of the container; and
(c) Provide sufficient headroom to allow for
adequate airflow over the animals.
(4) Animals may not be stacked upon one another in
a container.
Notes
Regulations .08 adopted effective December 1, 1993 (20:23 Md. R. 1803)
Regulation .08C adopted effective March 24, 2008 (35:6 Md. R. 697)
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