Section 885.155  Herptile Diseases

a)         Herptile diseases include, Ranavirus, chytrid fungus, of amphibians (Batrachochytrium dendrobatitis and Batrachocytrium salamandrivorans), Snake Fungal Disease, and turtle shell fungal disease (Emydomyces testovorans).

b)         Owners and possessors of herptiles shall observe the health of their animals.  Any herptile diagnosed positively with any herptile disease, shall be reported to the Department via email to DNR.HerpPermit@illinois.gov.  Owners and possessors must ensure that their animals do not infect wild herptiles in Illinois. 

c)         The Department may recommend testing for herptile disease specific to a species of interest.  A positive diagnosis from these tests may result in a required quarantine and treatment period that will be determined by a licensed veterinarian.  Reporting to the Department will include date of veterinary visit, owner or possessor name and contact information, veterinarian's name and contact information, herptile species affected, pathogen tested, method of test, and outcome of animal (euthanized or alive).  Reports will be sent to DNR.HerpPermit@illinois.gov.

d)         Water, bedding, or other materials that have been in contact with a herptile disease that tested positive shall be disinfected prior to disposal such that infectious pathogens are no longer present in the affected material.  Acceptable methods of disinfection include a 3% bleach bath for five minutes, autoclave, heat greater than 250 degrees for 30 minutes, or other methods approved by the Department.  Owners and Possessor shall report method of disinfection used to DNR.HerpPermit@illinois.gov.

e)         A herptile positively diagnosed with a herptile disease may not be propagated or transferred/commercialized to another person until determined free of disease by a veterinarian and approved by the Department.  The Department may require owners or possessors to provide proof of testing, which may be at their expense, confirming the animal is free from disease. 

f)         Any wild release of captive-housed herptiles must be free from herptile diseases and approved by the Department prior to release.  The Department may require owners or possessors to provide proof of testing, which may be at their expense, confirming the animal is free from disease. 

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 10413, effective July 31, 2025)