§ 5000 . Sale, taking, etc., of tortoise
§ 5001 . Prior possession; identification marks; approval for transfer
§ 5002 . Permits authorizing possession
§ 5020 . Repealed by Stats.2007, c. 285 (A.B.1729), § 103
§ 5050 . Taking or possession prohibited; licenses and permits; necessary scientific research; legal imports; fully protected reptiles and amphibians specified
§ 5060 . Native reptiles defined
§ 5061 . Rules and regulations
§ 5062 . Farm permits; alligators or any species of family crocodilidae; sale of meat or hides
§ 5000. Sale, taking, etc., of tortoise
It is unlawful to sell, purchase, harm, take, possess, transport, or shoot a projectile at, a tortoise (Gopherus). This section does not apply to the taking of a tortoise when authorized by the department.
Credits
(Stats.1957, c. 456, p. 1393, § 5000. Amended by Stats.1961, c. 267, p. 1296, § 1; Stats.1972, c. 301, p. 573, § 1; Stats.1977, c. 1208, p. 4083, § 14; Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 77, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
§ 5001. Authorized Possession; Identification and Approved Transfer
The provisions of Section 5000 do not prohibit the possession of any tortoise (Gopherus) when the owner can demonstrate that such tortoise was legally acquired and possessed before the effective date of this section. The owner of a tortoise which may be possessed under this section shall mark or otherwise identify such tortoise to the satisfaction of the department, and shall not transfer such tortoise to any other person without prior approval of the department.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1972, c. 301, p. 573, § 2.)
§ 5002. Permits authorizing possession
The department may issue permits, subject to any terms and conditions prescribed by the commission, authorizing the possession of a tortoise (Gopherus) or product of a tortoise by an educational or scientific institution or a public zoological garden.
Credits
(Added by Stats.1972, c. 301, p. 573, § 3. Amended by Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 78, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
§ 5020. Repealed by Stats.2007, c. 285 (A.B.1729), § 103
§ 5050. Taking or possession prohibited; licenses and permits; necessary scientific research; legal imports; fully protected reptiles and amphibians specified
(a)(1) Except as provided in this section, or Section 2081.5, 2081.7, 2081.9, 2081.12, 2081.15, or 2835, a fully protected reptile or amphibian may not be taken or possessed at any time. No provision of this code or any other law shall be construed to authorize the issuance of a permit or license to take a fully protected reptile or amphibian, and no permit or license previously issued shall have any force or effect for that purpose. However, the department may authorize the taking of a fully protected reptile or amphibian for necessary scientific research, including efforts to recover fully protected, threatened, or endangered species. Before authorizing the take of a fully protected reptile or amphibian, the department shall make an effort to notify all affected and interested parties to solicit information and comments on the proposed authorization. The notification shall be published in the California Regulatory Notice Register and be made available to each person who has notified the department, in writing, of that person's interest in fully protected species and who has provided an email address, if available, or postal address to the department. Affected and interested parties shall have 30 days after notification is published in the California Regulatory Notice Register to provide relevant information and comments on the proposed authorization.
(2) As used in this subdivision, “scientific research” does not include an action taken as part of specified mitigation for a project, as defined in Section 21065 of the Public Resources Code.
(3) A legally imported fully protected reptile or amphibian may be possessed under a permit issued by the department.
(b) The following are fully protected reptiles and amphibians:
(1) Blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila).
(2) San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia).
(3) Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum).
(4) Limestone salamander (Hydromantes brunus).
(5) Black toad (Bufo boreas exsul).
Credits
(Added by Stats.1970, c. 1036, p. 1849, § 7. Amended by Stats.2002, c. 617 (S.B.482), § 5; Stats.2003, c. 735 (S.B.412), § 3; Stats.2011, c. 596 (S.B.618), § 6; Stats.2012, c. 121 (A.B.1973), § 2; Stats.2015, c. 154 (A.B.1527), § 79, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; Stats.2018, c. 224 (S.B.495), § 3, eff. Aug. 27, 2018; Stats.2020, c. 237 (S.B.1231), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2021; Stats.2023, c. 59 (S.B.147), § 5, eff. July 10, 2023.)
"Native reptiles" as used in this chapter means snakes, lizards, turtles, or any other members of the class reptilia native to California.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1974, c. 605, p. 1447, § 8.)
The commission shall establish rules and regulations for the commercial take, sale, transport, export, or import of native reptiles.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1974, c. 605, p. 1447, § 8.)
§ 5062. Permits for Operation of Farms for Alligators or any Species of Crocodilidae
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no permit shall be issued for the operation of a farm for alligators or any species of the family crocodilidae if the animals are kept for the use and sale of the meat or hides. No permit for the operation of a farm for alligators or any species of the family crocodilidae shall be renewed if the animals are kept for the use and sale of the meat or hides.
CREDIT(S)
(Added by Stats.1991, c. 776 (S.B.1013), § 1.)