R657-53-22. Personal Use: Collection and Possession or Importation and Possession of a Live or Dead Amphibian or Reptile

(1) A person may collect and possess a live amphibian or reptile for personal use only as provided in Subsection (a), (b) or (c).

(a) Certificates of registration are not issued for the collection and possession of any live amphibian or reptile classified as prohibited for collection and possession, except as provided in R657-53-19.

(b) A certificate of registration is required for collection and possession of any live amphibian or reptile classified as controlled for collection and possession, except as otherwise provided by the Wildlife Board.

(c) A certificate of registration is not required for collection and possession of any live amphibian or reptile classified as noncontrolled for collection and possession, except as provided in Subsections R657-53-27(5) and (6) and R657-53-28(7) and (8).

(2) A person may collect and possess a dead amphibian or reptile or its parts for personal use only as provided in Subsections (a), (b) or (c).

(a) A person may collect and possess a dead amphibian or reptile or its parts classified as controlled for collection and possession without a certificate of registration as provided in Subsections (i) and (ii).

(i) The specimen must be frozen and submitted to the division by appointment within 30 days of collection; and

(ii) The specimen must be labeled with the species name, salvage date, salvage location, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) location coordinates and name of person collecting the dead amphibian or reptile.

(b) A certificate of registration is required for collection and possession of a dead amphibian or reptile or its parts classified as controlled for collection and possession where the dead amphibian or reptile or its parts remains in personal possession, except as otherwise provided by the Wildlife Board.

(i) A certificate of registration is not required for collection and possession of any dead amphibian or reptile classified as noncontrolled for collection and possession, except as provided in Subsections R657-53-27(5) and (6) and R657-53-28(7) and (8).

(ii) Collection and possession of any dead amphibian or reptile or its parts classified as noncontrolled for collection and possession, which remain in personal possession will count against collection and possession limits.

(c) A dead amphibian or reptile or its parts classified as prohibited for collection and possession may not be collected and possessed without a certificate of registration issued by the division for collection and possession of the specimen.

(3) A person may temporarily handle for personal use live amphibians or reptiles classified as noncontrolled and controlled for collection and possession without a certificate of registration only as provided in Subsections (a) through (d).

(a) An amphibian or reptile may be held for up to 15 minutes in a non-harmful way for the purpose of photography, noninvasive data collection and moving out of harm's way;

(i) For the purposes of this Subsection, noninvasive data collection means the collection of external measurements, specimen weights, external meristics, and sex determination which does not involve the use of probes or other instruments which enter the body of the animal;

(b) The amphibian or reptile cannot be moved more than 60 feet from the location found;

(c) The amphibian or reptile can be placed in any container, bag or device which confines the animal so it may be transported; and

(d) The amphibian or reptile must be released immediately when directed to do so by a division employee.

(4) A certificate of registration is required for a person to handle live amphibians or reptiles classified as prohibited for collection and possession.

(5) A person may import and possess a live or dead amphibian or reptile or its parts for personal use only as provided in subsection (b), (c) and (d).

(a) Certificates of registration are not issued for the importation and possession of any live or dead amphibian or reptile or its parts classified as prohibited for importation and possession, except as provided in Subsection (d) and R657-53-19.

(b) A certificate of registration is required for importation and possession of any live or dead amphibian or reptile or its parts classified as controlled for importation and possession, except as otherwise provided by the Wildlife Board and subsection (i).

(i) Prior to importation, a certificate of registration shall be issued for the importation and the resulting possession of any live amphibian or reptile for personal use that is legally obtained from outside the state of Utah, is a species native to Utah, and is classified as controlled for importation and possession.

(ii) Legal documentation of the acquisition of the amphibian or reptile shall be maintained as determined in the certificate of registration.

(iii) As provided in Rule R58-1, the Department of Agriculture and Food requires a valid certificate of veterinary inspection and an entry permit number to import any amphibian or reptile into Utah.

(iv) Imported native and naturalized species shall not count toward the possession limit.

(c) A certificate of registration is not required for importation and possession of any live or dead amphibian or reptile or its parts classified as noncontrolled for importation and possession.

(i) Legal documentation of the acquisition of the amphibian or reptile shall be maintained for the life of the animal or the time the animal is in possession.

(ii) As provided in Rule R58-1, the Department of Agriculture and Food requires a valid certificate of veterinary inspection and an entry permit number to import any amphibian or reptile into Utah.

(iii) Imported native and naturalized species shall not count toward the possession limit.

(d) Notwithstanding subsection (5)(a) or (b), a person may import and possess any dead amphibian or reptile or its parts classified as prohibited or controlled, except as provided in Section R657-53-5, for personal use without obtaining a certificate of registration, provided the animal was legally taken, is held in legal possession, and a valid license, permit, tag, certificate of registration, bill of sale, or invoice is available for inspection upon request.