Importing Reptiles

Reptile Lover

Reptile Lover

Well-Known Member
I was wondering because you can't import many animals like rodents, birds etc. Can you import reptiles from around the world?
 
I'm pretty sure around the world species are limted because of certain eco-sustems, laws, medical equipment, or Facilities. It depends what one is trying to say. It can actually all just depend on the future life of the animals or reptiles in this case. Or there could just be a law that certain species can't come in,
 
Most species are held in captivity of course not all of them... Australia has many issues with the importation on most species mammals, birds, fish & reptiles, which is disappointing as we can not get up-to-date with oversea's collections and breeding programmes in particular for endangered species... There is a huge illegal trade of exotic reptiles in Australia you can find everything from Iguanas, Chameleons & Burmese Pythons. There was a national amnesty a few years to try a limit the trade of illegal exotics yet it was not a huge sucsess, and to add further disappointment nearly all animals handed in were destroyed! I was reading a story on the illegal exotic reptile trade in Australia and was amazed with statistics showing the number of exotic snake bite reported within Australia everything from King Cobras, Eyelash Viper & Diamondback Rattlesnakes, I still wonder how they explained it to the doctors? Fortunatly there are a growing number of Australian Antivene Production facilitys within Australia with the main facility at the Australian Reptile Park which now focus on several exotic species to cope with the growing problems of the trade in Australia... I am a licenced reptile keeper and know of a number of keepers & breeders keeping exotic species there not very hard to come by...
 
Unfortunately, Australian Federal and State governments are big on prohibition of exotic animals, be they mammals, birds, reptiles or whatever. They'd like to be tougher on fish, but the tropical fish industry has more clout than the rest of us, so they have to tread warily there.

Their attitude is understandable; there are not too many votes in easing restrictions, and loud condemnation if they get it wrong.

Inappropriate release of pest species is not something just from the 19th century; it still seems to be happening; (red-eared slider terrapins are on the increase in waterways around Sydney, for example.) Also,the Australian bush needs more species of venomous reptiles like a hole in the head.

Prohibition though doesn't work - just shoves the problem out of sight.
Far better to license and control the keeping of exotic reptiles. If trade and keeping of reptiles was restricted to responsible people who are prepared to, say, do a course at TAFE and get some certification then problems shouldn't arise. (The problem with red-eared sliders began decades ago when large numbers were imported from U.S. and sold in every pet shop to anyone who had a few dollars - entirely the wrong approach.)
 
I guess this is all for the greater good by bringing in new species we could lose the old! We are very lucky in australia since we have so many species of reptile. I can see and understand about the documentary the day on why reptile parks in America and espicially private owners can have such a range of species,
 
I agree current Australian Reptile Licencing needs to be improved, All people have to do at the moment is fill out a form & pay the fee's! A exam or course should be sat as to many do not know what there getting themselves into and they do very little research...

The pet shop issue needs to be addressed as of now most states except New South Wales can sell, trade and deal in live reptiles and amphibians. I believe this is unfair and needs to be equalled. I recently heard of talks with National Parks & Wildlife that selected licenced stores will be premitted yet it may take a few years to come into effect....

In regards to exotic species this is a growing debate which National Parks & Wildlife and the Government are beginning to address with it high on the agenda at many herptological society meetings and expo's. Recently a large survey was conducted asking if licenced keepers knew, heard of, or have seen exotic species held illegally and think they should be premitted on a new licencing scheme all of which I ticked yes...

For years I have debated this issue with a number of people talking with people at meetings hearing stories of many exotic finds from Snapping Tortoises down Sydney drains, Iguanas dumped in bushland, Boa Constricters on main roads and so on...

Because of the huge penaltys and fines many people abandon & dump thier exotic reptiles which pose a risk to native species, surcumb to our climate, starve or end up in the wrong hands. If found and handed in they are often destroyed which is also highly disappointing!
 
exotic reptiles in this country are a little bit like illegal drugs. easy to come by if you know where to look.
 
Does anybody know of a definitive list of exotic species kept privately in the country? I have heard about cobras and rattlesnakes (not sure species), gaboon vipers and pirahna (obviously a fish, but nevertheless restricted species).
 
tetrapod said:
pirahna (obviously a fish, but nevertheless restricted species).
Click to expand...

Concerning fish quickly I believe Koi is also restricted, although not sure in Western Australia, because of the Carp bloodline in them, pirahna might have some relation to a particular fish? This is obviously a large point about bringing in Reptiles,
 
dragon(ele)nerd said:
Concerning fish quickly I believe Koi is also restricted, although not sure in Western Australia, because of the Carp bloodline in them, pirahna might have some relation to a particular fish? This is obviously a large point about bringing in Reptiles,
Click to expand...

Koi are definitely not excluded from WA. Given that there are feral carp already living in rivers and ponds, is the concern that brightly coloured red and white koi going to cause a surge in numbers???

As far as I know it pirahna along with snakeheads and tilapia are restricted due to the potential effects in the north. Unfortunately the horse has bolted as far as a number of tilapia species. Does anybody know what happened to the customs seizure red-bellied pirahna group that ended up on display at Taronga mid 70s (in the old aquarium)?
 
hmmmmmmm, we have such a vast range of species that I think is a good reason not to let in any new ones,
 
Know plenty of people with exotics. Everything form Chameleons, Vipers, Iguanas & Pythons.

My mate breeds Green Tree Pythons & Rough Scales. Shes got over 200 animals Pythons, Dragons, Geckos, Turtles & Frogs. I have a couple but only ur basic stuff gonna try to build my collection for next years breeding season.
 
Really interesting thread this one. I know the reptile keeping situation in Oz is drastically different to that in the UK and that it varies from state to state but i'm really surprised to read that rough scales are being kept in the private sector. How available are they? When I was over ther (admittedly about 5 years ago) they only had i think one group at the reptile park outside of Sydney (can't remember the name off the top of my head). Very cool little snakes.

Are there any restrictions relating to keeping amphibians in light of the ever growing threat of chytrid fungus to wild frog populations?
 
Theloderma said:
Really interesting thread this one. I know the reptile keeping situation in Oz is drastically different to that in the UK and that it varies from state to state but i'm really surprised to read that rough scales are being kept in the private sector. How available are they? When I was over ther (admittedly about 5 years ago) they only had i think one group at the reptile park outside of Sydney (can't remember the name off the top of my head). Very cool little snakes.

Are there any restrictions relating to keeping amphibians in light of the ever growing threat of chytrid fungus to wild frog populations?
Click to expand...

roughies are available but at a price ($6000 a pair)
they are only allowed to be kept in NSW, Queensland and SA i think.
They came on the market about 3-4 years ago.
The reason they are not allowed in other states is that the numbers in the wild are on the decline and they are worried about illeagal poaching.
They are really easy to breed but the hatchies are noted as the hardest of Aussie pythons to get feeding
 
Thanks for the info Lovey. Figured they'd be fairly easy breeders, many of the other Morelia seem to be fairly straightforward as well from experience (the scrub/bush species at any rate, couldn't say the same about viridis or boeleni). Why are the young so tricky? Is it down to size or dietary preference? (are the young lizard feeders?). Good to hear that they are becoming established in captivity, a staff member I spoke to at the reptile park (Gosford) said that their wild habitat was really inaccesible hence so few of them had been captured.
 
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