Chameleons?

I was just curious does anyone know how true the rumor that chmeleons are illegal in rhode island and massachusetts is? they are such cool creatures i dont understand why they would be illegal.

Massachusetts has some of the toughest exotic animal laws. All non-domestic animals are banned. Rhode Island is not as tough requiring a permit to own them. They're illegal because the idea of owning exotic animals has caused many species to become endangered.

Here is Mass. Summary of Law: No person may possess as a "pet" a wild bird, mammal, fish, reptile or amphibian unless the animal was owned prior to June 30, 1995. A wild bird, mammal, fish, reptile or amphibian is defined as any undomesticated animal that is not the product of hybridization with a domestic form and not otherwise contained in the exemption list.

Rhode Island Summary of Law: No person may possess, without first obtaining a permit from the department, animals of the following orders, families, and genera: Primates, Carnivores, Amphibia, Reptilia, Canidae, and Insecta. All person obtaining a permit must demonstrate they have both adequate facilities, and adequate knowledge of animal health and husbandry to ensure both public safety and health

Here's more from Mass. http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildl...g_wildlife.htm