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Notes on reptiles as pets in WA

WARNING: Never leave your pet in the sun!!

 

Reptiles and amphibians are primarily terrarium animals that have been kept as pets for years in other Australian states as well as throughout most of the world. In WA it is new as from 7 March '03. A recent WASAH survey found the most popular reptiles wanted by keepers to be (in descending order), pygmy goannas, geckos, pythons, dragon lizards and skinks.

 

Harmless native reptiles are state of the art pets. Why?

·        They are easy to look after.

·        They don’t make much noise.

·        They don’t dig up the garden.

·        They don’t leave hair all over the lounge.

·        They don’t require feeding every day.

·        They don’t need looking after by the neighbours when owner goes away.

·        They don’t smell much.

·        They don’t need much room.

·        They discourage unwanted visitors such as inlaws, salespeople, burglars, etc.

·        They are therapeutic.

·        They feel great.

 

Other benefits of keeping are -

·        They allow the keeper to connect with the importance of protecting habitats.

·        They allow for more positive attitudes towards this group to flow into the community through wider contact.

·        They allow the knowledge base on these native animals to be rapidly broadened (NSW Minister for Environment stated that 80% of our knowledge on reptiles has been contributed to by amateur herpetologists).

·        They allow people to source alternatives to exotic animals.

·        They allow those with allergies to source a pet that is non-allergenic, apart from a fish.

·        They allow those with hearing impediments to source a pet with an affinity – both have little dependence on the sense of hearing.

 

Important:

·        Licensing is a requirement, with attached conditions.

·        Reptiles can only be sourced from licensed dealers.

·        They wont be cheap ‘throw-away’ pets.

·        Snakes readily feed on dead food - it is forbidden under licence conditions to feed pets live vertebrates.

·        DEC will continue to vigorously pursue illegal activities involving native fauna.

·        Demand will exceed supply initially.

·        Many pet shops will stock the required peripheral keeping paraphernalia.

·        Care sheets will be available.

·        Safeguards are in place to exclude children and novices from sourcing dangerously venomous snakes.

 

Direct to DEC's page for more information on pet reptile Keeping in WA

The new regulations were gazetted back in September '02 and the species lists were gazetted 7th March '03. It's all systems go!!!

The suppliers of reptiles and frogs will hold Dealers Licences. These will be mainly pet shops, although specialist herp dealers will become established. In the short term however, all purchases of pet reptiles and frogs will be from these dealers. The price of individual animals will be regulated by supply and demand, plus wholesale to retail markup and government levy. I would expect lower category lizards to sell for around $75 to $500 and pythons to sell for around $350 to more than $2,000. SUPPLY IS GOING TO BE SLOW IN THE EARLY DAYS

Care Sheets will be available for all species free of charge from point of purchase, or from the net.

WHEN FILLING OUT LICENCE APPLICATION (in PDF format) - REFERENCES ARE NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR CAT. 2 & 3

7 March 2003 - You ripper! The new keeping system is in place now.

 

 

BOOKS ON KEEPING

 

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Care of Australian Reptiles in captivity

By John Weigel

ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE - BE QUICK!

First published in 1988 by the Reptile Keepers’ Association this is an important reference for anyone about to keep reptiles. Includes information on housing, parasites, incubators and a whole lot more. At only $20 inclusive of postage and packaging.

 

ORDER FORM

 

Print out and address to: The Secretary, 169 Egina Street, Mt Hawthorn, WA 6016

 

Please send me:_______ copies of CARE OF AUSTRALIAN REPTILES IN CAPTIVITY. Enclosed is a cheque or money order for $17 plus $3.00 postage & handling ($20) per book.

 

NAME:_____________________________________________________________________

 

ADDRESS:__________________________________________________________________

 

                  _____________________________________________Post Code:____________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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