Is it legal to own a Burmese python? A state-by-state guide
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
Two giant snakes that come up often in pet questions are the Burmese python and the reticulated python. Burmese pythons come from southern and Southeast Asia and average about 3.7 meters (12 feet) in the wild, typically growing to about 5 meters. Reticulated pythons range from the Nicobar Islands and India through Indonesia and the Philippines, and wild ones in one Sumatra study measured 1.5 to 6.5 meters. People ask about them because hatchlings are small and the colors are striking. But these snakes grow fast, and an adult is a very large animal.
Banned 7Banned for new owners 3Permit needed 2Depends 11No state restriction found 20Not verified yet 8
State by state
Tap a state name for every animal we cover there. The source link on each row goes to the rule itself.
| State | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Alabama's rule for this animal yet. Ask Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries before you buy. | Agency page |
| Alaska | No state restriction found | Alaska's clean list allows any nonvenomous reptile, including snakes, without a state permit. Federal rules on some giant constrictors are separate.Clean list species; may not be released into the wild | 5 AAC 92.029(b) |
| Arizona | No state restriction found | Boas and pythons are not on Arizona's restricted reptile list, so no state license is required for giant constrictors. | Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-406 |
| Arkansas | Banned | Anacondas and the large Asian and African pythons (reticulated, Burmese and rock) are on the prohibited list, and no permits are issued for them. Boa constrictors are unrestricted. | AGFC Code Addendum R1.03 (Prohibited Captive... |
| California | No state restriction found | Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons and anacondas are not on the state restricted species list, and no length rule applies. Check local rules. | 14 CCR 671(c)(7) |
| Colorado | Depends | Boas and pythons are legal without a licence only if the species is native entirely within 26 degrees north and south latitude. Whether a given species qualifies depends on its native range, so confirm the species with CPW.Species must be native only to the tropical and subtropical region (26 N to 26 S) | 2 CCR 406-7 #703(A), Appendix A(A)(3),(5) |
| Connecticut | Depends | Reticulated and African rock pythons and green, yellow and Bolivian anacondas are barred for private owners. The Burmese python is not named in the regulation. Species matters, so ask DEEP before buying.Named pythons and anacondas prohibited; Burmese python not named | Regs. Conn. State Agencies 26-55-6(a)(3)(B)(x... |
| Delaware | Permit needed | Giant snakes such as pythons and anacondas are nonnative reptiles and need a Delaware Exotic Animal Permit. They are not named as exempt.Individual Exotic Animal Permit (Dept. of Agriculture) | 3 Del. C. 7201; 3 DE Admin. Code 903 sec. 6.2 |
| District of Columbia | Not verified yet | We could not confirm District of Columbia's rule for this animal yet. Ask DC Department of Health (Animal Services) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Florida | Banned | Burmese, reticulated, African rock and amethystine pythons and green anacondas cannot be kept, sold or bred, except for education, research or eradication. Yellow, Beni and DeSchauensee's anacondas are also prohibited. Pre-2010 permit holders were grandfathered.Grandfathered only for pre-July 2010 permit holders; boas and other pythons not listed | Fla. Stat. 379.372(2)(a); Fla. Admin. Code 68... |
| Georgia | Banned for new owners | Burmese pythons and Indian rock pythons are licensed only for science, education or exhibition, and the pet grandfather window has closed. Reticulated pythons and anacondas are not on Georgia's lists.Burmese and Indian rock python barred; reticulated python and anaconda not listed; pre-2022 pets had to be tagged and registered within 12 months | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-8-.05(1)(c) |
| Hawaii | Banned | Hawaii prohibits all snakes, including giant constrictors, with exceptions only for a government zoo and for brown tree snake research.Entire suborder Serpentes | HAR 4-71-6(b), Prohibited Animal List |
| Idaho | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Idaho's rule for this animal yet. Ask Idaho State Department of Agriculture (deleterious exotic animals) and Idaho Department of Fish and Game (captive wildlife) before you buy. | |
| Illinois | No state restriction found | Illinois allows lawfully acquired boas, pythons and anacondas without a permit. Non-native species must be kept in strong, escape-proof enclosures at all times. Federal rules are covered separately.Escape-proof enclosure required | 510 ILCS 68/15-5; 510 ILCS 68/15-10 |
| Indiana | No state restriction found | Indiana's reptile and amphibian rules protect species native to Indiana and restrict venomous reptiles and large crocodilians. Giant constrictors are not named, so no state permit is listed. | 312 IAC 9-5-1; 312 IAC 9-5-8 |
| Iowa | Banned for new owners | Iowa bans reticulated pythons, anacondas and African rock pythons as dangerous wild animals, with grandfathering only for owners before July 1, 2007. Burmese pythons are not named in the list.Reticulated python, anaconda, African rock python: grandfathered owners only. Burmese python not listed. | Iowa Code 717F.1(5)(a)(9)(e), 717F.3, 717F.4 |
| Kansas | No state restriction found | Kansas treats giant constrictors, which are nonnative, as exotic wildlife that may be possessed and bought without a state permit if legally obtained where they came from and kept confined.Legal origin required; must be confined at all times | K.A.R. 115-20-3(a), (d) |
| Kentucky | Depends | Kentucky does not ban giant constrictors by name and sets no length rule. A transportation permit is required before receiving one from outside Kentucky. Only a short list of animals is exempt from possession permits, so ask Kentucky Fish and Wildlife about in-state purchases.Transportation permit needed to receive from out of state; in-state purchase rules unclear | 301 KAR 2:082 Sections 1, 2, 4, 7, 10(5) |
| Louisiana | Depends | Burmese pythons are prohibited. Reticulated pythons, African rock pythons, boa constrictors and anacondas, and any constrictor over eight feet, need an LDWF Restricted Snake Permit.Burmese python prohibited; others need Restricted Snake Permit | LAC 76:XV.101(K)(1), (K)(2)(a)(vii), (K)(2)(c) |
| Maine | Banned | Reticulated pythons, African rock pythons, Indian pythons and all anacondas are Category 1 Restricted Species. Burmese pythons fall under the federal injurious wildlife list that Category 1 incorporates. Only exhibitors, rehabilitators and research facilities may hold them. | 09-137 CMR ch. 7, secs. 7.06(3)(A), 7.18(2)(A... |
| Maryland | No state restriction found | Maryland has no state ban or permit for giant constrictors in the rules read. Its reptile rules cover only native species and its snake ban covers only venomous families. Federal rules are separate. | COMAR 08.03.11.01B; Md. Code, Criminal Law 10... |
| Massachusetts | Depends | Reticulated pythons, African rock pythons and anacondas need a permit that pet owners cannot get. Other boas and pythons are exempt unless an IUCN Red Book listing excludes them, which may apply to Burmese pythons. Check MassWildlife.Reticulated, African rock and anaconda barred; Burmese python exemption uncertain | 321 CMR 9.01(10)(b)1, 9.01(3)(b); 2.12(9)(a) |
| Michigan | No state restriction found | Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons and anacondas are not on any Michigan prohibited or permit list that I read. Local rules may differ. | MCL 324.41301(1)(k) and (o) (Part 413 lists);... |
| Minnesota | Banned for new owners | Snakes are protected wild animals in Minnesota. A pet snake is lawful only if obtained from a permitted breeder or possessed before August 1, 2021. No size rule was found. Ask the DNR how this applies to nonnative species.Obtained from a DNR-permitted breeder, or possessed before 2021-08-01 | Minn. Stat. 97A.401 subd. 8; 97A.015 subd. 39 |
| Mississippi | No state restriction found | Giant constrictors are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read, and no state length limit or permit applies. Imports of exotic animals need a permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Missouri | Depends | Missouri requires county law enforcement registration of any deadly or dangerous reptile, and the law does not define which snakes count. The Conservation Department does not otherwise restrict nonnative snakes.County registration if the snake counts as deadly or dangerous; term undefined | RSMo 578.023; 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Montana | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Montana's rule for this animal yet. Ask Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks before you buy. | Agency page |
| Nebraska | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Nebraska's rule for this animal yet. Ask Nebraska Game and Parks Commission before you buy. | |
| Nevada | No state restriction found | Nevada lets people keep nonvenomous, nonindigenous reptiles, which includes pythons and anacondas, without an NDOW license. They are not on the prohibited list.No NDOW license needed; animals may not be released into the wild | NAC 503.140(1)(aa) |
| New Hampshire | No state restriction found | Exotic reptiles are non-controlled in New Hampshire unless alligators, crocodiles or venomous, so giant constrictors need no state possession permit. This is the possession rule only. | N.H. Admin. Code Fis 804.02(b) |
| New Jersey | Depends | Burmese and reticulated pythons need an Individual Hobby permit. A Division notice says green and yellow anacondas are potentially dangerous and may not be possessed or sold. Other boas need a permit under the rule.Pythonidae and Boidae: Individual Hobby permit; green and yellow anacondas barred per Division notice (not rule text) | N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.3(a)3; N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.6(a)1;... |
| New Mexico | Banned | The Burmese python, reticulated python, African rock python and anacondas are in group IV of the Director's Species Importation List. Group IV is closed to the general public, and possessing a group IV animal needs a department permit that pet owners cannot get.Group IV; permits only for science, zoos, qualified experts; Python reticulatus, Python sebae and Eunectes ssp also group IV | Director's Species Importation List, group IV... |
| New York | Banned | Burmese and reticulated pythons, African rock pythons and several anacondas are named and banned, even if captive-bred. Licences are not issued for pets. | 6 NYCRR 180.1(b)(15)-(16), (c) |
| North Carolina | Depends | Burmese, reticulated, African rock and amethystine pythons and green anacondas may be kept only in a sturdy, secure, locked, labeled enclosure with a written safety protocol. Other anaconda species are not named.secure locked enclosure, labeling and escape plan | N.C.G.S. 14-417.1(a), (b), (c) |
| North Dakota | Not verified yet | We could not confirm North Dakota's rule for this animal yet. Ask North Dakota Department of Agriculture, State Board of Animal Health (State Veterinarian) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Ohio | Depends | Green and yellow anacondas and reticulated, Indian, Burmese, African rock and amethystine pythons are restricted snakes only at twelve feet or longer. Those need an Agriculture restricted snake possession permit. Shorter snakes are not on the state list.Permit needed only at 12 feet or longer; named species only | ORC 935.01(L)(1), 935.08, 935.09 |
| Oklahoma | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Oklahoma's rule for this animal yet. Ask Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation before you buy. | Agency page |
| Oregon | No state restriction found | Oregon lists pythons and boas, all nonnative species, as noncontrolled, so no state wildlife permit is needed for a Burmese python, reticulated python or anaconda. Check federal rules separately. | OAR 635-056-0060(4)(c)(B) |
| Pennsylvania | No state restriction found | Giant constrictors are non-native reptiles, and the Fish and Boat Commission says it does not regulate their possession. Releasing one into the wild is illegal. Only native venomous snakes need a state permit. | Fish and Boat Commission reptile and amphibia... |
| Rhode Island | Depends | Burmese pythons and most other boas and pythons are exempt. The reticulated python, African rock python and all anacondas need an exotic animal possession permit.Burmese python exempt; reticulated, African rock python and anacondas need a DEM permit | 250-RICR-40-05-3 3.17(A)(4)(b)(2)(A) |
| South Carolina | No state restriction found | No state rule I found names giant constrictors or large snakes. They are not on any prohibited or permit list I read. Check with SC DNR before buying. | S.C. Code Title 50 ch. 16; 47-2-10; 47-5-50;... |
| South Dakota | No state restriction found | South Dakota's exotic animal permit rules cover mammals and birds, and I found no state rule naming giant constrictors or other reptiles as pets. Ask Game, Fish and Parks to confirm. | ARSD 12:68:18:03 (mammals and birds only); SD... |
| Tennessee | No state restriction found | Giant constrictors are nonvenomous and not named as restricted, so they fall in Class III with no TWRA permit. Check the agriculture department for import rules.Class III; no TWRA permit | Tenn. Code 70-4-403(3)(A) |
| Texas | Permit needed | Texas requires a TPWD controlled exotic snake permit for Burmese, reticulated, African rock, Asiatic rock and southern African pythons and green anacondas. A recreational permit exists. Other anacondas are not named.Recreational controlled exotic snake permit | Tex. Parks & Wildlife Code 43.851(a)(2), (b),... |
| Utah | Depends | Giant constrictors are not named in Utah's reptile and amphibian rule, and unlisted species default to controlled. A legally obtained captive animal needs no wildlife document if you keep written proof of lawful acquisition. Ask the Division about limits.Unlisted species default to controlled; keep written proof of legal acquisition (R657-53-5) | Utah Admin. Code R657-53-7(8); R657-53-5(1)(b) |
| Vermont | Banned | Anacondas and Burmese, reticulated and African rock pythons are on Vermont's Restricted list. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Virginia | No state restriction found | Virginia has no state ban or permit for giant constrictors such as Burmese pythons. Unlisted nonnative animals may be possessed, purchased and sold. No python or anaconda is on the list. | 4VAC15-30-40(H) |
| Washington | No state restriction found | Washington has no rule on giant constrictors. Pythons and anacondas are not named in the dangerous list, which covers only certain venomous snakes and crocodilians. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| West Virginia | No state restriction found | Giant constrictors are not on the dangerous wild animal list, and the native reptile rule does not apply to nonnative snakes. No state permit is needed. | W. Va. Code R. 74-1-3; 58 CSR 73 (DNR FAQ) |
| Wisconsin | No state restriction found | Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons and anacondas are nonnative and not on Wisconsin's harmful list, so state wildlife law requires no licence. | Wis. Stat. 169.04(4)(b) |
| Wyoming | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Wyoming's rule for this animal yet. Ask Wyoming Game and Fish Department before you buy. | Agency page |
Federal law
- Lacey Act injurious wildlife (reptiles). Burmese, reticulated, African rock pythons and four anaconda species are listed as injurious. Importing them, or shipping them between the mainland, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or territories, needs a permit. They can move between continental States (USARK v. Zinke, 2017). 50 CFR 16.15(a); 18 U.S.C. 42(a)(1)
- Lacey Act and USARK v. Zinke. FWS reports that the D.C. Circuit held in 2017 that the Act's shipment ban does not cover movement between States within the continental US. Possession is not a federal offence under this listing. 18 U.S.C. 42(a)(1); USARK v. Zinke (D.C. Cir. 2017)
- CITES. Burmese, reticulated and African rock pythons and the green anaconda are in CITES Appendix II. This matters to importers and exporters, not to ordinary keepers. 50 CFR 23.13; CITES Appendices
Why states regulate it
Restrictions on giant constrictors usually come back to escapes and public safety. Burmese pythons are now established in the Florida Everglades, where estimates run from 30,000 to 300,000 snakes. A 2012 report found raccoon sightings down 99.3 percent and opossum sightings down 98.9 percent in areas where pythons were well established. Wikipedia reports the Florida population arose largely through the pet trade, including escapes. Size matters too: fatal attacks on people by reticulated pythons have been documented, including from a pet snake.
Before you buy
- This is not a beginner animal. Wild Burmese pythons typically grow to about 5 meters, and females are considerably heavier and bulkier than males, so plan for a very large adult.
- Captive Burmese pythons may live more than 20 years and reach adult size by about age four. Buy only if you can commit for that whole stretch.
- Power-feeding youngsters so they exceed 2 meters in a year may cause health problems later. Ask a seller how the snake has been fed and grown.
- The CDC notes most vets don't treat reptiles, and reptiles can carry Salmonella without looking sick. Find an exotic vet first, and wash up after any contact.
Sources for the facts about the animal: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, cdc.gov.
Check your own state
The legality checker shows one animal in one state with its source, and exotic pet laws by state lists every state we cover. Related guides: venomous snake, alligator or other crocodilian, tegu.
How we checked. For each state we read the statutes, administrative code and agency lists that govern keeping wild or exotic animals, and every row above links to the text it rests on. A second, independent reviewer then re-read the same sources, and a row is shown only if it survived that check. "Not verified yet" means a state's rule could not be read or confirmed, which is a gap in our data and not a green light. County and city ordinances, landlord and insurance rules, and federal law sit on top of the state rule. Read how we check. See an error? Email hello@creaturesincrisis.org with the link.
Quick answers
- Is it legal to own a Burmese python in California?
- No state restriction found. Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons and anacondas are not on the state restricted species list, and no length rule applies. Check local rules.
- Is it legal to own a Burmese python in Texas?
- Permit needed. Texas requires a TPWD controlled exotic snake permit for Burmese, reticulated, African rock, Asiatic rock and southern African pythons and green anacondas. A recreational permit exists. Other anacondas are not named.
- Is it legal to own a Burmese python in Florida?
- Banned. Burmese, reticulated, African rock and amethystine pythons and green anacondas cannot be kept, sold or bred, except for education, research or eradication. Yellow, Beni and DeSchauensee's anacondas are also prohibited. Pre-2010 permit holders were grandfathered.
- Is it legal to own a Burmese python in New York?
- Banned. Burmese and reticulated pythons, African rock pythons and several anacondas are named and banned, even if captive-bred. Licences are not issued for pets.
- Is it legal to own a Burmese python in Pennsylvania?
- No state restriction found. Giant constrictors are non-native reptiles, and the Fish and Boat Commission says it does not regulate their possession. Releasing one into the wild is illegal. Only native venomous snakes need a state permit.
- Is it legal to own a Burmese python in Illinois?
- No state restriction found. Illinois allows lawfully acquired boas, pythons and anacondas without a permit. Non-native species must be kept in strong, escape-proof enclosures at all times. Federal rules are covered separately.
- Is it legal to own a Burmese python in Ohio?
- Depends. Green and yellow anacondas and reticulated, Indian, Burmese, African rock and amethystine pythons are restricted snakes only at twelve feet or longer. Those need an Agriculture restricted snake possession permit. Shorter snakes are not on the state list.
- Is it legal to own a Burmese python in Georgia?
- Banned for new owners. Burmese pythons and Indian rock pythons are licensed only for science, education or exhibition, and the pet grandfather window has closed. Reticulated pythons and anacondas are not on Georgia's lists.
- Is giant constrictor legal in every state?
- No. In our data it is banned in 7 states and needs a permit in 2. The table above shows each state.
- Does 'no state restriction found' mean I can buy one?
- No. It means the state rule we read does not ban it or require a state permit. County and city rules, federal law, sale and import rules and your landlord can still stop you.