Reptiles and Amphibians

The following Endangered/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 Salamander (Endangered)

FROGS and TOADS:

Eastern Spadefoot (Threatened)
New Jersey Chorus Frog (Endangered)
Eastern Cricket Frog (Endangered)
Coastal Plains Leopard Frog (Endangered)

SNAKES:

Eastern Massasauga (Endangered)
Kirtland’s Snake (Endangered)
Northern Rough Greensnake (Endangered)

TURTLES:

Bog Turtle (Endangered)
Southeastern Mud Turtle (Endangered)
Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Threatened)

The following native reptile and amphibian 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
Common Mudpuppy
Northern Ravine Salamander

FROGS and TOADS:

Mountain Chorus Frog
Upland Chorus Frog
Western Chorus Frog

SNAKES:

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Eastern Ribbonsnake
Eastern Smooth Earthsnake
Eastern Wormsnake
Mountain Earthsnake
Queensnake
Short-headed Gartersnake
Smooth Greensnake

TURTLES:

Blanding’s Turtle
Woodland Box Turtle
Spotted Turtle
Wood Turtle

SKINKS/LIZARDS:

Eastern Fence Lizard
Northern Coal Skink

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 Red-backed Salamander
Red-spotted Newt
Eastern Long-tailed 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
Gray Treefrog
Fowler’s Toad
Northern Leopard Frog
Pickerel Frog
Spring Peeper
Wood Frog

SNAKES:

Eastern Gartersnake
Eastern Milksnake
Eastern Ratsnake
Northern Black Racer
Red-bellied Snake
Dekay’s Brownsnake
Northern Ring-necked Snake
Northern Watersnake

TURTLES:

Eastern Musk Turtle
Eastern Painted Turtle
Eastern Spiny Softshell
Northern Map Turtle
Midland Painted Turtle

SKINKS/LIZARDS:

Common Five-lined Skink

For a list of all endangered, threatened, and candidate fish species, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website.

The practice of catch and release of amphibians and reptiles is encouraged.

Additional Restrictions

• A fishing license is required to catch or take reptiles and amphibians from the lands and waters 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 4 feet square or 4 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 alter, damage or destroy habitat in the pursuit of a reptile or amphibian.
• 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 trans-ported 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 stocked 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 to allow for the release of untargeted turtles. Hooks must be at least 3.5 inches long with not less than 1 inch space between the point and shank of the hook. The number of lines or hooks per line is unlimited.

Permits

• A permit is required to hunt, take, catch, kill or possess Timber Rattlesnakes and Eastern Copperheads.
• Venomous Snake Permit holders must submit a catch report regardless if they did not hunt or hunted and did not harvest.
• A permit is required to hunt, take, catch or kill Snapping Turtles for the purpose of sale, barter or trade.
• The venomous snake permit fee for residents is $31.97 per year; the fee for non-residents is $61.97 per year.
• The Snapping Turtle permit fee for residents is $61.97 per year; the fee for non-residents is $121.97 per year.
• Prices for venomous snake and Snapping Turtle permits include a $1.00 agent fee and $0.97 transaction fee.

To purchase Venomous Snake and Commercial Turtle permits, visit your license issuing agent. Commercial Turtle Permits can also be purchased online.