A permit (the requirement passed in 2007) is required from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to possess certain snake species. There are recreational and commercial “Controlled Exotic Snake” permits. Read the FAQ at https://tpwd.texas.gov/faq/business/permits/nonindigenous_snakes/index.phtml. TPWD has proposed an amendment that requires permittees to notify the local “animal control authority” to obtain this permit.
From TPWD: The proposed amendment to §55.651, concerning Definitions, would define “animal control authority” as “the local governmental entity responsible for regulating and/or enforcing laws applicable to the possession, control, welfare, and disposition of animals.” The department has received numerous requests from various law enforcement and first-responder entities for assistance in identifying places and locations where persons may be holding dangerous exotic snakes, because first-responders find it helpful to know about the possibility of encountering such animals in the course of their duties, and because there may be local ordinances and laws that apply to such situations… As noted earlier in this preamble, the department believes it is prudent to create a mechanism for first responders to be aware of situations in which captive dangerous snakes are present and could be encountered. To do so, the proposed amendment would establish a notification requirement and specify criteria for determining compliance.”
Comments may be emailed to kevin.winters@tpwd.texas.gov. For further information, call TPWD at (512) 389-4775. Meeting dates and agendas are posted at https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/meetings/#fy2026.
Read the full proposal at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-tpwd.pdf.
