{"data":{"id":"us-va/4vac15-30-40","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"4VAC15-30-40","heading":"Importation requirements, possession, and sale of nonnative (exotic) animals","body":"A. Permit required. A special permit is required and may be issued by the department, if consistent with the department's fish and wildlife management program, to import, possess, or sell those nonnative (exotic) animals listed in the following table and in 4VAC15-20-210 that the board finds and declares to be predatory or undesirable within the meaning and intent of § 29.1-542 of the Code of Virginia, in that their introduction into the Commonwealth will be detrimental to the native fish and wildlife resources of Virginia.\n\nAMPHIBIANS\n\nOrder\n\nFamily\n\nGenus/Species\n\nCommon Name\n\nAnura\n\nBufonidae\n\nRhinella marina\n\nCane toad*\n\nPipidae\n\nHymenochirus spp. Pseudohymenochiris merlini\n\nAfrican dwarf frog\n\nXenopus spp.\n\nTongueless or African clawed frog\n\nCaudata\n\nAmbystomatidae\n\nAll species, except Ambystoma mexicanum\n\nAll mole salamanders, except Mexican axolotl\n\nBIRDS\n\nOrder\n\nFamily\n\nGenus/Species\n\nCommon Name\n\nPsittaciformes\n\nPsittacidae\n\nMyiopsitta monachus\n\nMonk parakeet*\n\nAnseriformes\n\nAnatidae\n\nCygnus olor\n\nMute swan\n\nFISH\n\nOrder\n\nFamily\n\nGenus/Species\n\nCommon Name\n\nCypriniformes\n\nCatostomidae\n\nCatostomus microps\n\nModoc sucker\n\nCatostomus santaanae\n\nSanta Ana sucker\n\nCatostomus warnerensis\n\nWarner sucker\n\nIctiobus bubalus\n\nSmallmouth* buffalo\n\nI. cyprinellus\n\nBigmouth* buffalo\n\nI. niger\n\nBlack buffalo*\n\nCharacidae\n\nPygopristis spp.\n\nPygocentrus spp.\n\nRooseveltiella spp.\n\nSerrasalmo spp.\n\nSerrasalmus spp.\n\nTaddyella spp.\n\nPiranhas\n\nCobitidae\n\nMisgurnus anguillicaudatus\n\nOriental weatherfish\n\nCyprinidae\n\nAristichyhys nobilis\n\nBighead carp*\n\nChrosomus saylori\n\nLaurel dace\n\nCtenopharyngodon idella\n\nGrass carp or white amur\n\nCyprinella caerulea\n\nBlue shiner\n\nCyprinella formosa\n\nBeautiful shiner\n\nCyprinella lutrensis\n\nRed shiner\n\nHypophthalmichthys molitrix\n\nSilver carp*\n\nMylopharyngodom piceus\n\nBlack carp*\n\nNotropis albizonatus\n\nPalezone shiner\n\nNotropis cahabae\n\nCahaba shiner\n\nNotropis girardi\n\nArkansas River shiner\n\nNotropis mekistocholas\n\nCape Fear shiner\n\nNotropis simus pecosensis\n\nPecos bluntnose shiner\n\nNotropis topeka (= tristis)\n\nTopeka shiner\n\nPhoxinus cumberlandensis\n\nBlackside dace\n\nRhinichthys osculus lethoporus\n\nIndependence Valley speckled dace\n\nRhinichthys osculus nevadensis\n\nAsh Meadows speckled dace\n\nRhinichthys osculus oligoporus\n\nClover Valley speckled dace\n\nRhinichthys osculus ssp.\n\nFoskett speckled dace\n\nRhinichthys osculus thermalis\n\nKendall Warm Springs dace\n\nScardinius erythrophthalmus\n\nRudd\n\nTinca tinca\n\nTench*\n\nCyprinodontiformes\n\nPoeciliidae\n\nGambusia gaigei\n\nBig Bend gambusia\n\nGambusia georgei\n\nSan Marcos gambusia\n\nGambusia heterochir\n\nClear Creek gambusia\n\nGambusia nobilis\n\nPecos gambusia\n\nPeociliopsis occidentalis\n\nGila topminnow\n\nGasterosteiformes\n\nGasterosteidae\n\nGasterosteus aculeatus williamsoni\n\nUnarmored threespine stickleback\n\nGobiesociformes\n\nGobiidae\n\nProterorhinus marmoratus\n\nTubenose goby\n\nNeogobius melanostomus\n\nRound goby\n\nPerciformes\n\nCentrarchidae\n\nMicropterus henshalli\n\nAlabama bass\n\nChannidae\n\nChanna spp.\n\nParachanna spp.\n\nSnakeheads\n\nCichlidae\n\nTilapia spp.\n\nTilapia\n\nGymnocephalus cernuum\n\nRuffe*\n\nElassomatidae\n\nElassoma alabamae\n\nSpring pygmy sunfish\n\nPercidae\n\nCrystallaria cincotta\n\nDiamond darter\n\nEtheostoma chermocki\n\nVermilion darter\n\nEtheostoma boschungi\n\nSlackwater darter\n\nEtheostoma chienense\n\nRelict darter\n\nEtheostoma etowahae\n\nEtowah darter\n\nEtheostoma fonticola\n\nFountain darter\n\nEtheostoma moorei\n\nYellowcheek darter\n\nEtheostoma nianguae\n\nNiangua darter\n\nEtheostoma nuchale\n\nWatercress darter\n\nEtheostoma okaloosae\n\nOkaloosa darter\n\nEtheostoma phytophilum\n\nRush darter\n\nEtheostoma rubrum\n\nBayou darter\n\nEtheostoma scotti\n\nCherokee darter\n\nEtheostoma sp.\n\nBluemask (= jewel) darter\n\nEtheostoma susanae\n\nCumberland darter\n\nEtheostoma wapiti\n\nBoulder darter\n\nPercina antesella\n\nAmber darter\n\nPercina aurolineata\n\nGoldline darter\n\nPercina jenkinsi\n\nConasauga logperch\n\nPercina pantherina\n\nLeopard darter\n\nPercina tanasi\n\nSnail darter\n\nScorpaeniformes\n\nCottidae\n\nCottus sp.\n\nGrotto sculpin\n\nCottus paulus (= pygmaeus)\n\nPygmy sculpin\n\nSiluriformes\n\nClariidae\n\nAll species\n\nAir-breathing catfish\n\nIctaluridae\n\nNoturus baileyi\n\nSmoky madtom\n\nNoturus crypticus\n\nChucky madtom\n\nNoturus placidus\n\nNeosho madtom\n\nNoturus stanauli\n\nPygmy madtom\n\nNoturus trautmani\n\nScioto madtom\n\nSynbranchiformes\n\nSynbranchidae\n\nMonopterus albus\n\nSwamp eel\n\nMAMMALS\n\nOrder\n\nFamily\n\nGenus/Species\n\nCommon Name\n\nArtiodactyla\n\nSuidae\n\nAll Species\n\nPigs or Hogs*\n\nCervidae\n\nAll Species\n\nDeer*\n\nCarnivora\n\nCanidae\n\nAll Species\n\nWild Dogs,* Wolves, Coyotes or Coyote hybrids, Jackals and Foxes\n\nUrsidae\n\nAll Species\n\nBears*\n\nProcyonidae\n\nAll Species\n\nRaccoons and* Relatives\n\nMustelidae\n\nAll Species\n\nWeasels, Badgers,* Skunks and Otters\n\n(except Mustela putorius furo)\n\nFerret\n\nViverridae\n\nAll Species\n\nCivets, Genets,* Lingsangs, Mongooses, and Fossas\n\nHerpestidae\n\nAll Species\n\nMongooses*\n\nHyaenidae\n\nAll Species\n\nHyenas and Aardwolves*\n\nFelidae\n\nAll Species\n\nCats*\n\nChiroptera\n\nAll Species\n\nBats*\n\nLagomorpha\n\nLepridae\n\nBrachylagus idahoensis\n\nPygmy rabbit\n\nLepus europeaeous\n\nEuropean hare\n\nOryctolagus cuniculus\n\nEuropean rabbit\n\nSylvilagus bachmani riparius\n\nRiparian brush rabbit\n\nSylvilagus palustris hefneri\n\nLower Keys marsh rabbit\n\nRodentia\n\nAll species native to Africa\n\nAll species native to Africa\n\nDipodidae\n\nZapus hudsonius preblei\n\nPreble's meadow jumping mouse\n\nMuridae\n\nMicrotus californicus scirpensis\n\nAmargosa vole\n\nMicrotus mexicanus hualpaiensis\n\nHualapai Mexican vole\n\nMicrotus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli\n\nFlorida salt marsh vole\n\nNeotoma floridana smalli\n\nKey Largo woodrat\n\nNeotoma fuscipes riparia\n\nRiparian (= San Joaquin Valley) woodrat\n\nOryzomys palustris natator\n\nRice rat\n\nPeromyscus gossypinus allapaticola\n\nKey Largo cotton mouse\n\nPeromyscus polionotus allophrys\n\nChoctawhatchee beach mouse\n\nPeromyscus polionotus ammobates\n\nAlabama beach mouse\n\nPeromyscus polionotus niveiventris\n\nSoutheastern beach mouse\n\nPeromyscus polionotus peninsularis\n\nSt. Andrew beach mouse\n\nPeromyscus polionotus phasma\n\nAnastasia Island beach mouse\n\nPeromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis\n\nPerdido Key beach mouse\n\nReithrodontomys raviventris\n\nSalt marsh harvest mouse\n\nHeteromyidae\n\nDipodomys heermanni morroensis\n\nMorro Bay kangaroo rat\n\nDipodomys ingens\n\nGiant kangaroo rat\n\nDipodomys merriami parvus\n\nSan Bernadino Merriam's kangaroo rat\n\nDipodomys nitratoides exilis\n\nFresno kangaroo rat\n\nDipodomys nitratoides nitratoides\n\nTipton kangaroo rat\n\nDipodomys stephensi (including D. cascus)\n\nStephens' kangaroo rat\n\nPerognathus longimembris pacificus\n\nPacific pocket mouse\n\nSciuridae\n\nCynomys spp.\n\nPrairie dogs\n\nSpermophilus brunneus brunneus\n\nNorthern Idaho ground squirrel\n\nTamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis\n\nMount Graham red squirrel\n\nSoricomorpha\n\nSoricidae\n\nSorex ornatus relictus\n\nBuena Vista Lake ornate shrew\n\nMOLLUSKS\n\nOrder\n\nFamily\n\nGenus/Species\n\nCommon Name\n\nNeotaenioglossa\n\nHydrobiidae\n\nPotamopyrgus antipodarum\n\nNew Zealand mudsnail\n\nVeneroida\n\nDreissenidae\n\nDreissena bugensis\n\nQuagga mussel\n\nDreissena bugensis\n\nQuagga mussel\n\nREPTILES\n\nOrder\n\nFamily\n\nGenus/Species\n\nCommon Name\n\nCrocodilia\n\nAlligatoridae\n\nAll species\n\nAlligators, caimans*\n\nCrocodylidae\n\nAll species\n\nCrocodiles*\n\nGavialidae\n\nAll species\n\nGavials*\n\nSquamata\n\nColubridae\n\nBoiga irregularis\n\nBrown tree snake*\n\nCRUSTACEANS\n\nOrder\n\nFamily\n\nGenus/Species\n\nCommon Name\n\nDecapoda\n\nCambaridae\n\nCambarus aculabrum\n\nCave crayfish\n\nCambarus zophonastes\n\nCave crayfish\n\nOrconectes rusticus\n\nRusty crayfish\n\nOrconectes shoupi\n\nNashville crayfish\n\nPacifastacus fortis\n\nShasta crayfish\n\nProcambarus sp.\n\nMarbled crayfish\n\nParastacidae\n\nCherax spp.\n\nAustralian crayfish\n\nVarunidea\n\nEriocheir sinensis\n\nChinese mitten crab\n\nB. Temporary possession permit for certain animals. Notwithstanding the permitting requirements of subsection A of this section, a person, company, or corporation possessing any nonnative (exotic) animal designated with an asterisk (*) in subsection A of this section prior to July 1, 1992, must have proof that the animal was declared to the department in writing prior to January 1, 1993. This written declaration shall serve as a permit for possession only, is not transferable, and must be renewed every five years. This written declaration must include species name, common name, number of individuals, date or dates acquired, sex (if possible), estimated age, height or length, and other characteristics such as bands and band numbers, tattoos, registration numbers, coloration, and specific markings. Possession transfer will require a new permit according to the requirements of this subsection.\n\nC. Exception for certain monk parakeets. No permit is required for monk parakeets (quakers) that have been captive bred and are closed-banded with a seamless band.\n\nD. Exception for parts or products. No permit is required for parts or products of those nonnative (exotic) animals listed in subsection A of this section that may be used for personal use, in the manufacture of products, or in scientific research, provided that such parts or products are packaged outside the Commonwealth by any person, company, or corporation duly licensed by the state in which the parts originate. Such packages may be transported into the Commonwealth, consistent with other state laws and regulations, so long as the original package remains unbroken, unopened, and intact until its point of destination is reached. The person, business, or institution ordering such nonnative (exotic) animal parts shall keep documentation concerning the type and cost of the animal parts ordered, the purpose and date of the order, point and date of shipping, and date of receiving. Such documentation shall be open to inspection by a representative of the Department of Wildlife Resources.\n\nE. Exception for feral hogs. Anyone may legally trap feral hogs with written permission of the landowner, provided that any trapped hogs are not removed from the trap site alive and are killed immediately.\n\nF. Exception for grass carp. Anglers may legally harvest grass carp of the family Cyprinidae only from public waters of the Commonwealth. It is unlawful to harvest grass carp from any public inland lake or reservoir. Anglers taking grass carp must ensure that harvested grass carp are dead.\n\nG. Exception for Alabama bass. Anglers may possess live Alabama bass of the family Centrarchidae only on the body of water from which the fish were captured, provided that the angler does not live transport these fish outside of the body of water from which the fish were captured. Anglers may only release live Alabama bass back into the body of water from which the fish were captured. Anglers may legally harvest Alabama bass, provided that the anglers ensure all harvested Alabama bass are dead.\n\nH. All other nonnative (exotic) animals. All other nonnative (exotic) animals not listed in subsection A of this section may be possessed, purchased, and sold, provided that such animals shall be subject to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including those that apply to threatened and endangered species, and that no such animals shall be liberated within the Commonwealth.","path":["Title 4. Conservation And Natural Resources","Agency 15. Department of Wildlife Resources","Chapter 30. Definitions and Miscellaneous: Importation, Possession, Sale, etc., of Animals"],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title4/agency15/chapter30/section40/","current_through":"2026 Regular Session (effective July 1, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T04:45:20Z","sha256":"bd7d2c1ee9bdbb3c7a5015d0566272517992d1345e2f56a772c21c0588944af7","source_id":"us-va-vac","stale":false,"prev":"us-va/4vac15-30-30","next":"us-va/4vac15-30-50"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}