Snake, Rattle & Roll

You’ve seen this picture, right?

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It’s the zebra cobra, indigenous to Africa but belonging to a Raleigh resident, that’s now loose in the Oak City.

You may be wondering if it’s legal to own a venomous snake in North Carolina. The answer is yes, but there’s a lot you have to do for it. N.C.G.S. Chapter 14, Article 55 governs the regulation of reptiles, including snakes.

There are a number of snake species in North Carolina. Which ones are deadly? What should you do if you see one? The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has answers.

Some of NC’s snake species are endangered, meaning they are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. You need a permit from the Commission to own one of these species.

Maybe you have a friend who is into snake handling and you’d like to know more. Read up on its history here and its NC history here.

Finally, are you a trial lawyer looking for a new, can’t-miss approach to winning cases? Check out Don Keenan and David Ball’s reptile revolution.