What's legal in Pennsylvania?

Bettacreek

Bettacreek

AC Members
Apr 2, 2008
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Central Pennsylvania
I'm wondering what all is actually legal in Pa in regards to snails. I've seen canas for sale at the petstore here, but was just told that they're illegal... I couldn't find anything on the Pa Game Commisson site or anything about them through google on Pomacea canaliculata in Pennsylvania. The only thing I've read about the legality of them in Pa would be on the federal level, where they cannot cross state lines. Anyone have any links or anything on this? Thanks in advance. :)
 
The only time snails (under restrictions) would be illegal is when they are transported across the states. If obtained within your state, you should be fine.
 
That's what I thought. :/ The problem being that since they don't have permits, you can't prove without a doubt that they came from within state. But, so, the Pomacea canaliculata is fine to own in Pennsylvania (or other various states) as long as it originally came from the state in question, right? I thought that besides the ones that are illegal on the federal level, any others were allowed to be kept/transported within state lines (except maybe Hawaii) and some have no restrictions or might require permits for interstate transport.

Canas, Giant Columbians and Asolene Spixis are all under the state border ban and the briggs just require a permit (or maybe not now). What about the Haustrum or the Japanese Trapdoor?
 
From my understanding, all snails which are illegal for transport if obtained within the state are legal to own. There isn't a rule against owning them if obtained within the state but having them shipped across the states is another story. Haustrums will count similarly to the canas and insularums as these are also voracious plant eaters.

Japanese trapdoors are not restricted so they are fine to sell around.

Legal:
Pomacea bridgesii “mystery snail”- these snails are not plant eaters but REQUIRE permits to sell across state lines. Make sure your seller has these permits PLEASE! It is ONLY legal to sell the snails, it is ALWAYS illegal to sell the eggs.
Malaysian Trumpet Snails- no restrictions
Common ramshorns (Planorbis sp.)- no legal restrictions
Common pond/tadpole snails (Physas sp.)- no legal restrictions
Anentome Helena “assassin snails”- no current restrictions
Nerites- no current restrictions, although there are some state by state broad-based import laws
Japanese Trapdoors- not restricted

Illegal:
Asolene spixi “zebra apple”- these are banned from transport. These snails lay their eggs in clutches UNDER the water line, can interbreed with Columbian ramshorns and often eat plants as juveniles, even when not a mixed species.
Marisa cornuarietis “Columbian ramshorn”- Banned from transport.
Pomacea canaliculata “channeled apple snail”- banned from transport
Pomacea haustrum “triton apple snail”- banned from transport
Pomacea insularum - banned from transport
Pomacea paludosa “Florida apple snail, flapple”- banned from transport

These are just the most commonly seen; there are hundreds of apple snail species. If you choose to house any of these species, make sure to take proper precautions. Educate hobbyists if you decide to share them. DO NOT release them, DO NOT flush them, dispose of any unwanted snails responsibly. If anyone breeds their pomacea bridgesii and plans to sell them, please get permits. If you are having a hard time with the permit process, I would be happy to help. I will be doing a “how-to” write up soon.

In conclusion, it IS the hobbyist/buyers responsibility to do research on a species before getting them. If you house species, know what you have, how to identify it, and what to do with offspring. The restrictions that are in place are there for a reason. Your choices directly impact the hobby, make them wisely.

Just to clarify, alot of the species on the illegal list can be shared with other hobbyists in-state, they are not to be shipped or sold across state lines. The USDA/Aphis has been doing home inspections and has confiscated large plant-eating snail species from hobbyists/breeders as well as some invasive plant species.
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Shoot. I apologize for not checking that post again. I had read it, but forgot that it had the specific restrictions listed.
 
Bettacreek said:
Shoot. I apologize for not checking that post again. I had read it, but forgot that it had the specific restrictions listed.
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It happens all the time. I have my own blonde moments.;)
 
Thanks for the info. I was just getting ready to order some briggs & rams...found some unidentifieds in one of my tanks and searched for snail identity when this thread came up. Bein' a newbie...I never would'a thought of checkin' w/ big brother. Ya think I'd know better, since I come from the land of snakehead buy and release.
 
foolishfish said:
Thanks for the info. I was just getting ready to order some briggs & rams...found some unidentifieds in one of my tanks and searched for snail identity when this thread came up. Bein' a newbie...I never would'a thought of checkin' w/ big brother. Ya think I'd know better, since I come from the land of snakehead buy and release.
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Your ramshorns are Planorbis sp. These are not plant eaters nor are restricted for shipping. Columbian ramshorns (Marisa cornuarietis) are different species being part of the largest gastropod family, apple snails.
 
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