Amphibians and Reptiles

Identification

The photo galleries below can help you identify reptiles and amphibians.

Legal Status

Reptiles and amphibians are protected in Illinois. It is illegal to kill or collect these animals on public land in Illinois without a permit. To collect reptiles and amphibians on private land, you must have a valid sport fishing license and get the permission of the landowner first. Collected reptiles and amphibians must be captured with devices designed not to cause death or serious injury. If captured animals are to be released, they must be returned to the same place where they were captured.

The Illinois Herp Code regulates the keeping of venomous snakes or boas and pythons in captivity. Illinois state law prohibits the commercial sale of any wild-caught snake or any of their parts, eggs, or offspring. Personal possession limits also exist for any native species of amphibian or reptile.

State endangered and threatened species may not be possessed, harbored, cared for, sold, offered for sale, handled, harassed, harmed, or imported without a permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

If you have questions about reptiles or amphibians in Illinois, you can contact Scott Ballard, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Southern Region Endangered and Threatened Recovery Species Specialist/Herpetologist, at Scott.Ballard@Illinois.gov or 618-694-3398.