Big black pine hatchling

Six week old male

Looks like a pretty good size for the age!

That is a gorgeous animal right there!
I'd given thought to working with these beauties in the past, but the possible listing to ESA made me abandon the idea. I've been permitted for several species but it was always a headache, so didn't want to dive in to yet another permit process and paperwork.
What's the current requirements, if any, to keep them here in Virginia?

Nice. One of my favorites.

Thanks!! He is on large mice now already!! Great snake!!

Nocturnalnature, no permits required in VA.

Thanks Ralph!
Your photo had me checking the classifieds last night LOL. As I said, the one thing that gives me pause is the high probability that they will be added to the ESA in the near future. This wouldn't hinder keeping animals that were already owned before being listed, or sales in Va., but interstate sales and acquisition of new breeder stock would require a CBW permit to legally comply. Easy to get by fillling out the forms, but I find the record keeping to be a pain in the butt.
Hmmm, looks like I have some contemplating to do.

I have heard talk of that as well on some of the sites I frequent but nothing has been decided yet. The main consensus I have heard is that doing so makes it easier to protect certain areas from development as opposed to actual concern over the species itself. Snakes seem to get very little real consideration as far as actual concern over their welfare.  It still surprises me that Northern Pines are not protected in VA, seeing as how there have been no documented sightings since 1989. Or at least none published.

Regarding N. pines in VA: As it stands now, there is nothing to "protect".

Not too long ago the DGIF concluded a multi-year survey that produced no pines. The VHS, DGIF, and a few other organizations have posted signs at most trailheads to continue the search for the N. pine, but so far nothing.

In West Virginia the only northern pine snake record is a DOR found in 1940 in Monroe Co.

That's a shame. Do you know what it usually takes to declare a species extirpated? Since it also seems that they are no longer found in the Commonwealth what would it take to make it legal for us to work with them in the hobby? Is there a contact that I could petition for that?

I don't know what criteria the DGIF uses to declare a species extirpated. I suspect time and lack of observations are significant factors.

Contact the DGIF for additional information.

At first glance you'd almost think it was an indigo! Very cool.