Keeping Snakes

• Keeping A Snake
• Category A
• Category B
• Category C
• Your Application

Find out what you need to do to keep a snake

Keeping a Snake

The ACT Government has developed a 'Reptile Policy' against which applications for activities involving reptiles in the ACT are assessed.

This policy was produced in consultation with the ACT Herpetological Association, the Wildlife Research Unit of Environment and Recreation, ANPWS (now Environment Australia)and leading ACT and NSW herpetologists. The Policy has been endorsed by the Minister for Environment, Land and Planning.

Reptiles to be kept for hobby purposes have been categorised into three groups.

Category A

CATEGORY A refers to captive-bred reptiles that can be kept by individuals with no prior experience in keeping such animals. These include exempt species and species considered relatively easy to maintain, regularly bred in captivity and suited to the Canberra climate. Exempt species do not require a licence to keep under the Act and are identified below with the symbol (E).

Category B

CATEGORY B includes species of captive-bred reptiles which may be held for hobby purposes by experienced amateurs with at least two years experiences in keeping one or more species from a family in CATEGORY A. Generally applicants for species on this list must be 15 years of age or over.

Category C

CATERGORY C refers to captive bred reptiles suitable for keeping for hobby purposes for highly experienced herpetologists only.

1. Whether the animal you wish to keep is in compliance with the 'Reptile Policy'.
2. Whether you possess the appropriate experience to keep the animal.
3. That the animal has not been obtained in breach of any State/Territory legislation.
4. The housing and husbandry requirements for the animal.

Your Application

Before completing an application to keep form you should ascertain the following:

1. Whether the animal you wish to keep is in compliance with the 'Reptile Policy'.
2. Whether you possess the appropriate experience to keep the animal.
3. That the animal has not been obtained in breach of any State/Territory legislation.
4. The housing and husbandry requirements for the animal.

Your application form must be accompanied by details of the supplier of the animal; any relevant import details; a description of the housing you intend to provide and your previous experience in keeping such animals. Generally applicants must be over 15 years of age if applying to keep a snake.

If your application complies with the 'Reptile Policy' and is approved by the Conservator of Flora and Fauna the following conditions will apply to your licence to keep a snake.

1. The animal cannot be sold, traded or otherwise disposed of without prior consent from the Conservator.
2. You must contact the Compliance and Quarantine Services immediately on (+61 02 6207 6376) if your snake escapes or is stolen.
3. You must keep records as are perscribed.
4. Disposal of any off-spring, if more that one is kept, must be with the consent of the Conservator.
5. Deliberate cross-breeding of captive species is not approved.

Please remember your licence must be renewed by June 30th each year.