Exotic and wild animals are regulated by the state, not the county. Florida's FWC classifies captive wildlife as Class I, II, or III and requires a permit to possess most non-native or wild species. Dangerous Class I animals generally cannot be kept as personal pets.
Polk County defers exotic-animal control to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Under FS Chapter 379 and FAC Chapter 68A-6, captive wildlife is sorted into Class I (large cats, bears, great apes, crocodiles - not allowed as personal pets), Class II (e.g., some monkeys, cougars, alligators - permit plus experience/caging standards), and Class III (all other wildlife - a no-cost personal-pet permit for many species). Venomous reptiles and reptiles of concern have their own FS 379.372 permits. Personal-pet permits are issued only for legally sourced animals; injured or orphaned native wildlife may never be kept as pets. Local nuisance and cruelty rules still apply on top of state permitting.
FWC enforces; a Level Two wildlife violation under FS 379.372 carries a mandatory minimum $100 fine and surrender of the animal, escalating for repeat or prohibited-species offenses.
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