Indiana's Reptile & Amphibian Regulations
The impetus for new regulations
The Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife strives to maintain viable populations of our native species for present and future generations. Due to increased funding and new environmental concerns, research on reptiles and amphibians is currently occurring at a faster pace. The dynamic nature of this research leads to rapidly evolving changes in reptile and amphibian management and regulation.
Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) regulates Indiana’s native reptiles and amphibians. The regulations listed herein have been put in place based on research and input from the scientific community. The complete administrative code for the Division of Fish and Wildlife can be found in Article 9 online at: www.IN.gov/legislative/iac/title312.html
Take of reptiles or amphibians
Indiana residents over the age of 17 may not collect amphibians or reptiles from the wild in Indiana unless they have a valid hunting or fishing license, unless otherwise exempted by law. For all collectors, there is a daily bag limit of 2 per day and a possession limit of 4 on all nongame species except endangered species and eastern box turtles for the period of April 1 through March 31 of the following year. Collection of endangered species and eastern box turtles is prohibited. No more than 4 live native reptiles or amphibians can be possessed per species with the exception of the game species, which have a limit of 50 game turtles and 50 game frogs, and those possessed under a special permit.
Box turtles and their subspecies, demonstrated to have been acquired before 2005 (pre-law) or legally obtained outside of Indiana may be possessed under a special permit. Permit applications for pre-law box turtles must be received by January 1, 2005.
The common snapping turtle, smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, bullfrog and green frog are regulated as game animals with specified methods of take, bag limits and seasons. These three species of turtles can be taken at anytime. The bullfrog and green frog can be taken any time EXCEPT between April 30 and June 15. The daily bag limit for game frogs or turtles is 25; the possession limit is 50.
A person must not take a reptile or amphibian from a DNR property unless the person is issued a scientific purposes license under 312 IAC 9-10-6. Game turtles and frogs regulated with bag limits are exempt from this clause under 312 IAC 9-5-2 and 312 IAC 9-5-3. Additional information is available in the through the Indiana Hunting and Fishing Guide.
To prevent the spread of disease and other problems, a captive reptile may not be released into the wild without a special permit except under the following conditions: the reptile has been held in captivity no longer than 30 days; it has not been housed (caged) with other animals; and the release is at the original site of capture. All three of these conditions must be met, otherwise a permit is required from the Division of Fish and Wildlife to release the reptile (312 IAC 9-5-6).
Sale of reptiles or amphibians
The purchase or sale of Indiana’s native reptiles and amphibians is prohibited.*
The sale of turtles with a carapace less than 4 inches long (regardless of species or origin) is prohibited, except for valid scientific or educational purposes as defined in 312 IAC 9-5-7.
Exemptions are made for certain educational institutions, zoological parks, fish suppliers and holders of a reptile captive breeder’s license. (This license is valid for 8 species of snakes only.)
Bullfrog and green frog tadpoles may be sold by holders of a fish haulers and suppliers license or aquaculture permit if the tadpoles are a by-product of raising fish and if the tadpoles have a tail at least 1 inch long. The young of eight species of native snakes (defined by a species-specific length prescribed in the regulations) may be sold by holders of a reptile captive breeder’s license. In addition, albinistic, leucistic and xanthic specimens of Indiana’s native species may be sold.
A wild animal possession permit and special confinement parameters are required for individuals owning crocodilians five feet or more in length or a venomous reptile obtained lawfully. The purchase or sale of these species is prohibited in Indiana.
*Unless otherwise specified, these regulations apply to eggs, larva, meat, shells and other parts.
Global threats to amphibians and reptiles:
- Loss of habitat
The amount of habitat available for amphibians and reptiles in Indiana has decreased over the last century. In fact, scientists believe that approximately 88 percent of Indiana’s natural wetlands are gone. It is known that many species depend on wetlands for all or a portion of their life cycle. - New scientific information
Research shows that some amphibians and many reptiles have a low reproduction rate. These species rely on their long lifespan in the wild to maintain viable populations. - Sensitivity to environmental contaminants
Increased contaminants in the environment have negative impacts on reproduction in amphibians and reptiles. - Increased taking:
Taking of amphibians and reptiles for local and especially foreign trade (for food and pets) continues to cause declines in populations. - Dispersal ability
Suitable habitat is becoming more fragmented. Habitat fragmentation raises new concerns about the ability of reptiles and amphibians to maintain current populations and recolonize restored habitats.
Game species
These species are regulated by hunting and fishing laws in Indiana. Please refer to the Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide or the Indiana Fishing Guide.
- Common snapping turtle
- Smooth softshell turtle
- Spiny softshell turtle
- Bullfrog
- Green frog
Indiana's Native Reptiles and Amphibians
State endangered species are in bold. Please reference scientific names as common names are subject to frequent and regional changes.
- Federal-threatened species in northern Indiana.
- Candidate for Federal listing.
Frogs and toads
• American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
• American toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
• Cope’s gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)
• Crawfish frog (Lithobates areolatus)
• Eastern gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
• Eastern spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus holbrookii)
• Fowler’s toad (Anaxyrus fowleri)
• Green frog (Lithobates clamitans)
• Green treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
• Northern cricket frog (Acris crepitans)
• Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens)
• Pickerel frog (Lithobates palustris)
• Plains leopard frog (Lithobates blairi)
• Southeastern chorus frog (Pseudacris feriarum)
• Southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus)
• Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
• Western chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata)
• Wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)
Salamanders, newts and sirens
• Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
• Cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga)
• Common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
• Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
• Eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
• Four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
• Green salamander (Aneides aeneus)
• Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
• Jefferson salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)
• Lesser siren (Siren intermedia)
• Longtailed salamander (Eurycea longicauda)
• Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
• Mole salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum)
• Northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus)
• Northern ravine salamander (Plethodon electromorphus)
• Northern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
• Northern slimy salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)
• Northern zigzag salamander (Plethodon dorsalis)
• Red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)
• Small-mouthed salamander (Ambystoma texanum)
• Southern two-lined salamander (Eurycea cirrigera)
• Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
• Streamside salamander (Ambystoma barbouri)
Lizards and skinks
• Broad-headed skink (Plestiodon laticeps)
• Eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
• Common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)
• Little brown skink (Scincella lateralis)
• Six-lined racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata)
• Slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus)
Snakes
• Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi)
• Butler’s garter snake (Thamnophis butleri)
• Common gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
• Copper-bellied watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta)1
• Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
• Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
• Dekay’s brownsnake (Storeria dekayi)
• Diamond-backed watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer)
• Eastern black kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigra)
• Eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
• Eastern milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum)
• Eastern ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus)
• Eastern wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus)
• Gray ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides)
• Kirtland’s snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)
• Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) 2
• Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)
• North American Racer (Coluber constrictor)
• Northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)
• Plains gartersnake (Thamnophis radix)
• Prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster)
• Queensnake (Regina septemvittata)
• Red milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila)
• Red-bellied mudsnake (Farancia abacura)
• Red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)
• Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus)
• Rough greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus)
• Scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinea)
• Smooth earthsnake (Virginia valeriae)
• Smooth greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis)
• Southeastern crowned snake (Tantilla coronata)
• Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
• Western foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus)
• Western ribbonsnake (Thamnophis proximus)
Turtles
• Alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temmincki)
• Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)
• Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina)
• Eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum)
• Eastern musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)
• Eastern snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina)
• False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica)
• Northern map turtle (Graptemys geographica)
• Midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata)
• Ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata)
• Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis)
• Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
• River cooter (nPseudemys cocinna)
• Smooth softshell (Apalone mutica)
• Spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera)
• Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)
• Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii)
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