Keeping reptiles in Australia is a privilege, not a right. Keeping reptiles as pets is regulated from state to state, and laws can change. In most cases, permits must be applied for prior to the harvesting of a reptile and records must be kept, with an annual report required. All reptiles must come from a legitimate source, and there are restrictions on which species can be kept under what circumstances. Therefore, the very first thing you need to do when considering acquiring a reptile is to familiarize yourself with the legal requirements of your state or territory. All native reptiles are protected. It is illegal to keep exotic (non-Australian) reptiles in captivity. They must be purchased from a licensed owner or supplier and cannot be taken from the wild. To keep a reptile as a private zookeeper, you must obtain a license from the state or territory wildlife authority. All persons involved in the keeping of reptiles, and in particular snakes, should be familiar with appropriate handling techniques through proven experience, appropriate training or participation in approved reptile farms. Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au to learn more about reptile care and maintenance. AMRI scientists demonstrate the power of biobanks as an additional tool in the fight against illegal wildlife trade. You must apply for a wildlife permit from the Ministry of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to keep native reptiles.

These animals must come from legal sources and be bred in captivity. It is illegal to take animals from the wild. Once you have decided what type of reptile you want to keep, set up a home for it and received your license, you can begin your search for a suitable animal. Reptiles cannot be removed from nature (or even from the back garden) and can only be obtained from another guardian. In New South Wales, reptiles cannot be purchased at a pet store, although they are available at some interstate pet stores. The illegal sale of alien reptile species must be reported to the Biosecurity Officer of the Ministry of Economic Development, Employment, Transportation and Resources (DEDJTR) at 136 186. Reptiles need a heat source to digest food and stay active. When a reptile is kept in captivity, it is important to provide a “thermogradient”, with the case having a hot and cold end provided by a heater at one end. The temperature difference creates a gradient that allows the reptile to control its body temperature simply by sitting in the cold or warmer area. By using a thermogradient, the reptile is not likely to be too cold or overheated. A thermogradient for most reptiles would be 18°C at the cold end and up to 32°C at the warm end. The most popular Australian reptiles are the blue-tongued lizard, Tiliqua scincoides, and the central bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps, both of which are interesting and easy to maintain.

Turtles are also popular pets, but a lot of time and effort must be spent on water change and filtration. Another consideration is cost, people are often happy to discover that a blue-tongued lizard or bearded dragon can cost between $40 and $70 and a carpet python costs between $90 and $150. However, reptiles need proper housing, heating and lighting to be properly cared for, so although the animal is not very expensive, the initial setup can cost between $500 and $700. In the Australian Capital Territory, the majority of reptiles are protected and, under the Nature Conservation Act 1980, some species are exempt from licensing. Whether protected or not, it is illegal to capture a native species in the wild and keep it in captivity. To learn more, click here. Reptiles are probably as easy to define by what they are not as they are by what they are. Unlike mammals and birds, reptiles have scales rather than fur or feathers. They also have dry, waterproof skin. In the Northern Territory, as in most parts of Australia, most reptiles require a permit to be kept as pets in captivity. However, some species are exempt. To learn more, click here.

The keeping of wild animals, including reptiles, is a legitimate activity in Victoria and is covered by the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Wildlife Regulations 2013. Under the regulation, people are allowed to keep a number of different species of reptiles in Victoria.