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Rule Referenced in 68A-4.0052
Effective 1 July 2004 

68A-6.004

specific reference to waterfowl
(note all applicable items of this rule apply)

68A-6.004. Standard Caging Requirements for Captive Wildlife.

(1) No captive wildlife shall be confined in any cage or

other enclosure which contains more individual animals, or is

smaller in dimension than as specified in this section, or is not

equipped as specified in this section, except as defined in Rule

68A-6.0041, F.A.C., or as authorized in accordance with the

following:

(a) Requests for deviations from standard caging or enclosure

requirements may be granted to allow for different size

configuration (length, width and height) if the required square

footage is adequate and if the locomotory needs of the

animal(s) are not compromised. Wet or dry moats may be

substituted for the required fencing for retaining some species

of wildlife. Any proposed deviations from the standard caging

or enclosure requirements, or proposals to use wet or dry moats

to substitute for fencing, must be approved in writing by the

Commission prior to the use of the cage or enclosure for

housing animals.

(2) Definitions: Where specified in this section, wildlife

cages and enclosures shall be equipped to provide for the

protection and welfare of the animals. Such equipment includes,

but is not limited to:

(a) Shelter, nest box or den: A structure that protects

captive wildlife from the elements (weather conditions). Such

structures may vary in size depending on the security and

biological needs of the species. They are particularly described

as follows:

1. Shelter: A structure which shall provide protection from

the elements and from extremes in temperature that are

detrimental to the health and welfare of the animal. When

vegetation and landscaping is available to serve as protection

from the elements, access to a shelter shall also be provided

during inclement weather conditions. Such shelter shall be

attached to or adjacent to the paddock, habitat, or enclosure.

2. Nest box or den: An enclosed shelter that provides a

retreat area within, attached to, or adjacent to a cage or

enclosure of specified size, which shall provide protection from

the elements and from extremes in temperature that are

detrimental to the health and welfare of the animal.

(b) Elevated platform or perching area: A surface or structure,

either natural or manmade, positioned above the floor, or

above the grade level of the cage or enclosure, that will provide

a resting area for the animal(s).

(c) Original floor area: The total square footage required

for the initial number of animals specified. For example, this is

calculated by finding the new total area required for 4 squirrel

monkeys when the original floor area equals 20' for 1 or 2

animals (4' x 5' x 5' high). For each additional animal, there is

an increase in cage or enclosure size by 25 percent of original

floor area. For two additional monkeys: 25% x 20' x 2 animals

= 10'; add 10' to 20' = 30 total square feet of floor area required

for 4 monkeys. New cages or enclosures can be 6' x 5' x 5' high,

or any width/length dimension that equals or exceeds the

increased cage or enclosure space.

(d) Gnawing and chewing items: Natural or artificial materials

that provide for the health of teeth, so as to, keep teeth

sharp, wear down enamel and promote general oral hygiene.

Gnawing items include, but are not limited to, logs and trees.

Chewing items include, but are not limited to, woody stems,

knuckle bones, and rawhide objects; suitability dependent upon

species.

(3) Primates: Additional cage or enclosure requirements for

primates: In addition to requirements of this section, each cage

or enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide physical

stimulation or manipulation compatible with the species. Such

device shall be noninjurious, and may include, but is not

limited to, boxes, balls, mirrors or foraging items.

(a) Prosimians:

1. Small (e.g., bush babies, loris, potto, angwantibo, tarsiers,

and mouse, dwarf, forked, marked, and sportive lemurs)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 3 feet by 3 feet, 4 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and nest box(es)

that will accommodate all animals in the enclosures simultaneously.
Each cage shall also have climbing apparatus.

2. Medium (e.g., lemurs: ruffed, cata, true, gentle, avahi,

aye-aye)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 4 feet by 5 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and nest box(es)

that will accommodate all animal(s) in the enclosure simultaneously.
Each cage shall also have climbing apparatus.

3. Large (e.g., sifakas, indris)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and nest box(es)

that will accommodate all animal(s) in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall also include climbing apparatus.

(b) New World Monkeys:

1. Tamarins and Marmosets.

a. For one or two animals, a cage 3 feet by 3 feet, 4 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and nest box(es)

that will accommodate all animal(s) in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall also include climbing apparatus.

2. Squirrels, titis, owls, talapoins and similar sized monkeys.

a. For one or two animals, a cage 4 feet by 5 feet, 5 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching areas and nest box(es)

that will accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall also have climbing apparatus.

3. Medium-sized New World monkeys (e.g., capuchins,

sakis, uakaris)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and shelter(s) that

will accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall also have climbing apparatus.

4. Large arboreal monkeys (e.g., howlers, spiders, woolly,

woolly spider)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 6 feet, 8 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and shelter(s) that

will accommodate all animal(s) in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall also have horizontal climbing apparatus.

(c) Old World Monkeys

1. Macaques, guenons, mangabeys, patas, languars, colobus,

proboscis, simakobu, snub-nosed, and similar sized monkeys.

a. For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 8 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and shelter(s) that

will accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall have horizontal climbing apparatus.

2. Baboons, mandrills and drills

a. For one or two animals, a cage 10 feet by 8 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and shelter(s) that

will accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall have horizontal climbing apparatus.

(d) Apes:

1. Gibbons and siamangs

a. For one or two animals, a cage 8 feet by 10 feet, 8 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and shelter(s) that

will accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall have horizontal climbing apparatus.

c. Wet or dry moats may be substituted for the required

fencing provided prior Commission written approval has been

obtained. For island exhibits, wet moats shall be used that are

no less than 24 feet wide, with 50 percent of the water having

a depth twice the height of the tallest animal.

2. Chimpanzees and orangutans

a. For one animal under 50 pounds, a cage 8 feet by 6 feet,

6 feet high. For each additional animal double the original floor

area. For one or two animals over 50 pounds, a cage 20 feet by

12 feet, 8 feet high. For each additional animal, increase cage

size by 50 percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and shelter(s) that

shall accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall have horizontal climbing apparatus.

c. Wet or dry moats may be substituted for the required

fencing provided prior Commission written approval has been

obtained. For island exhibits, wet moats shall be used that are

no less than 24 feet wide, with 50 percent of the water having

a depth twice the height of the tallest animal.

3. Gorillas

a. For one or two animals, a cage 28 feet by 24 feet, 10 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 50

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have a platform(s) large enough to

accommodate all animals simultaneously; such platform(s)

shall be elevated three feet. Each cage shall also have shelter(s)

large enough to accommodate all animals in the enclosure

simultaneously.

c. Wet or dry moats may be substituted for the required

fencing provided prior Commission written approval has been

obtained. For island exhibits, wet moats shall be used that are

no less than 24 feet wide, with 50 percent of the water having

a depth twice the height of the tallest animal.

(4) Carnivores and Certain Omnivores with Similar Requirements:

(a) Wild felines. In addition to requirements of this section,

each cage or enclosure shall be equipped with a shelter(s)/nest

box(es) large enough to accommodate all the animals in the

enclosure simultaneously. Each enclosure shall have an accessible
device to provide physical stimulation or manipulation

compatible with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious,

and may include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, bones,

barrels, drums, rawhide, pools, etc.

1. African and Asian lions; tigers

a. For one or two animals, a cage 24 feet by 10 feet, 8 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall

accommodate all animal(s) simultaneously. Each cage shall

have a claw log, unless the animal(s) front claws have been

removed.

c. Outdoor cages over 1,000 square feet (uncovered) shall

have vertical jump walls at least 10 feet high, with a 2-foot, 45

degree, inward angle overhang, or jump walls at least 12 feet

high, without an overhang. The inward angle fencing shall be

made of the same material as the vertical fencing. Wet or dry

moats may be substituted for the required fencing provided

prior Commission written approval has been obtained.

2. Jaguars, leopards, and cougars

a. For one or two animals, a cage 20 feet by 10 feet, 8 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall

accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall have a claw log, unless the animal(s) front

claws have been removed.

c. Outdoor cages over 1,000 square feet (uncovered) for

cougars shall have vertical jump walls at least 10 feet high,

with a 4-foot, 45 degree, inward angle overhang. Leopards and

jaguars shall not be kept in uncovered enclosures except in

facilities with wet or dry moats, which have been previously

approved in writing by the Commission.

3. Lesser cats (e.g., bobcats, lynx, ocelots, caracal, serval,

margay, fishing cats, jungle cats, Teminick's cats, golden cats)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 12 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall

accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall have a claw log, unless the animal(s) front

claws have been removed.

4. Small cats (e.g., Geoffroy's cats, jaguarundis, leopard

cats, wildcats (Felis silvestris), mountain cats, pampas cats,

marbled cats, pallas' cats, sand cats, oncilla/tiger cats, black-footed

cats, flat-headed cats, kodkods, rusty-spotted cats)

 

a. For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall

accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each cage shall have a claw log, unless the animal(s) front

claws have been removed.

5. Cheetahs

a. For one or two animals, a cage 40 feet by 20 feet, 8 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) that shall

accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

(b) Bears. In addition to the requirements of this section,

each cage or enclosure shall be equipped with a shelter(s) that

shall accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

Each enclosure shall have an accessible device to provide

physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with the

species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may include,

but is not limited to boxes, balls, bones, barrels, drums,

climbing apparatus, foraging items, etc.

1. Black bears, Asiatic, sloth, spectacled.

a. For one animal, a cage 20 feet by 20 feet, 8 feet high. For

each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of

original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) for resting.

Each cage shall have a 4 foot by 6 foot pool of water, 3 feet

deep.

2. Sun bears.

a. For one animal, a cage 20 feet by 10 feet, 8 feet high. For

each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of

original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) for resting.

Each cage shall have a 3 foot by 4 foot pool of water, 2 feet

deep.

3. Brown bears (e.g., European, grizzly, Kodiak) and polar

bears.

a. For one animal, a cage 24 feet by 32 feet, 10 feet high.

For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of

original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have an elevated platform(s) for resting.

Each cage shall have a 6 foot by 10 foot pool of water, 4 feet

deep, except for polar bears, which shall have a 10 foot by 10

foot pool, 5 feet deep.

(c) Raccoons, coati-mundis, olingos, kinkajous, ringtail

(cacomistles) In addition to the requirements for this section,

each cage or enclosure shall have an accessible device to

provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with

the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may

include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, mirrors, climbing

apparatus, foraging items, etc.

1. For up to two animals, a cage 6 feet by 8 feet, 6 feet high.

For each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of

original floor area.

2. Each cage shall have perching area(s) and nest box(es)

that will accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

(d) Pandas (red). In addition to the requirements for this

section, each cage or enclosure shall have an accessible device

to provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible

with the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may

include, but is not limited to, climbing apparatus, foraging/

browse items, pools of water, etc.

1. For one animal, a cage 10 feet by 10 feet, 8 feet high. For

each additional animal, increase cage size by 25 percent of

original floor area.

2. Each cage shall have perching area(s) that will accommodate

all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

3. Shelter must be provided at all times to protect animals

from excessive heat.

(e) Badgers, weasels and polecats, skunks, fishers, ferrets,

otters, wolverines, minks, martins, civets, genets, mongoose,

and binturong. In addition to the requirements for this section,

each cage or enclosure shall have an accessible device to

provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with

the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may

include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, PVC tubing, etc.

Each cage shall have a shelter(s)/den(s)/nest box(es) that will

accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

1. Small (e.g., ferrets, weasels, polecats, skunks)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 5 feet by 4 feet, 3 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase the cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall be equipped with chewing items.

2. Arboreal (e.g., martins, fishers, genets, small or medium

civets)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 4 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase the cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall be equipped with perching areas, climbing

apparatus, and chewing items.

3. Medium (e.g., badger)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 6 feet by 6 feet, 4 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase the cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have chewing items and an area of

sufficient depth to provide for digging.

4. Large (e.g., wolverine, binturong, African civet)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 10 feet by 10 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase the cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

5. Aquatic (e.g., common river otters, sea otters, giant river

otter). For sea otters, specifications will be as required by

Federal regulations, incorporated herein by reference as found

in Title 9 C.F.R., Chapter I Part 3, Subpart E.

a. For one or two animals, a cage 10 feet by 10 feet, 6 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase the cage size by 25

percent of original floor space.

b. Each cage shall have a 8 foot by 4 foot pool of water, 2.5

feet deep. For each additional animal, increase pool size by 25

percent of original pool area. Dry resting areas shall be

provided.

(f) Rodents. In addition to the requirements for this section,

each cage or enclosure shall have an accessible device to

provide physical stimulation or manipulation compatible with

the species. Such device shall be noninjurious, and may

include, but is not limited to, boxes, balls, PVC tubing, browse,

etc. Each cage shall have shelters or nest box(es) that will

accommodate all animals in the enclosure simultaneously.

1. Small aquatic rodents (e.g., Florida water rat, muskrat)

a. For one or two animals, a cage 4 feet by 6 feet, 4 feet

high. For each additional animal, increase the cage size by 25

percent of original floor area.

b. Each cage shall have a pool of water, 2 feet by 2 feet, 1