Buying and caring for reptiles
Buying reptiles
Commercial trade in reptiles is prohibited in NSW. Pet shops are not allowed to buy or sell reptiles or even to have them on their premises, but they can sell cages and other accessories such as "hot-rocks".
Licensed keepers are allowed to dispose of their excess stock, such as the animals they breed, to other licence holders. However, they are not allowed to buy and sell animals as a commercial venture. They are also not allowed to advertise to buy or sell animals, except in the newsletters of the reptile keeper associations to which they personally belong.
There are commercial dealers in reptiles in Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory and ACT. If you purchase an animal from one of these dealers, or from anyone else in another state, you must already hold a NSW reptile keepers' licence and you must obtain an interstate import licence from the NPWS before you can legally bring it into NSW.
Getting in contact with other people who keep reptiles
The NPWS recommends that all reptile enthusiasts join a reptile keeper organisation (a herpetological society). This will put you in touch with other people who:
- have similar interests and who may have animals that they can trade with other licence holders
- can give you the benefit of their animal care and husbandry knowledge, experience and expertise
- may be able to give you the opportunity to participate in field observation and research activities.
Sick and injured reptiles, and relocation of reptiles
In many areas, sick or injured reptiles are cared for by volunteer wildlife rehabilitation groups. If you find an injured or sick reptile you can contact the local wildlife rehabilitation group via your nearest NPWS office. The NPWS will generally not allow untrained people or people who keep reptiles as pets to care for these animals which must be returned to the wild when they can again fend for themselves.
A reptile keepers' licence also does not authorise the licensee to catch and relocate problem reptiles as a service to the community. A separate licence is required for this purpose.
More information
- Get contact details for wildlife rehabilitation groups in NSW
- Get in touch with your nearest herpetological society
- See the NPWS policy on the rehabilitation of protected animals.
- Read the NPWS Hygiene protocol for the control of disease in captive snakes (PDF - 1.0MB)