What Types of Reptiles Are Allowed to Be Kept in Queensland?

Lizards

• The largest and smallest Australian lizard species are found in Queensland. These include lizards that spend most of their lives in water and desert species, as well as tree-dwelling and crevice-dwelling species and others that spend much of their lives underground.

  Some lizards that can be kept as pets are highly social and gentle blue tongue lizards and dragon lizards, including water dragons. Goannas and monitors are lizards that range in size from fairly small to very large, with the largest goannas or monitor lizard species being unsuitable for captivity. Skinks are often kept as pets, and they are described as "the most abundant group of reptiles in Australia, with hundreds of species and wide variation in life history," according to the Code of Practice for Captive Reptile and Amphibian Husbandry.

  Geckos--small nocturnal lizards found in a wide range of habitats in Queensland--are popular as pets. Legless lizards occur throughout Queensland, but they are secretive and nocturnal lizards that may be less suitable as captive animals than some other lizards.

Turtles

• Freshwater turtles live for extremely long periods, so recreational reptile keepers need to be aware that keeping them as pets may be a long-term commitment. Pet turtles or any other reptiles should never be released into the wild.

  Large turtles are capable of inflicting serious bites, so careful handling is required. Small turtles may be kept in aquariums as long as they are given a proper diet and are able to come out of from the water easily to get warm and dry under a heat lamp and ultraviolet light. Baby turtles dehydrate easily and must not be exposed to high temperatures.

Snakes

• Australia has seven families of native snakes. Within these families are many varieties of snakes, including blind snakes, small burrowing snakes that spend most of their lives underground; aquatic snakes; tree-dwelling snakes; land snakes; desert snakes; and diurnal snakes that live in a variety of habitats.

  Novice snake owners should not try to keep species that have complex habitat requirements but should begin with hardy, easily adaptable species.

  Snake cages and habitats must be constructed and set up according to the requirements of each specific species. Snakes need appropriate security, visibility, heating and light, as well as a proper diet, fresh water, a clean habitat and veterinary care when needed.

  Blind snakes can be maintained in captivity but they seldom appear above the surface. Pythons are popular pets that are nonvenomous and generally easily kept, but they are capable of inflicting painful bites. Sea snakes are unsuitable as pets, and because they may be dangerously venomous, all sea snakes are considered restricted wildlife.

  Australia includes large numbers of nondangerous snakes, which may be kept as pets, but the Code of Practice for Captive Reptile and Amphibian Husbandry warns that Queensland is home to "the most toxic and dangerous land snakes in the world." Keeping dangerous snakes should be avoided, and all venomous snakes require a restricted license and should never be kept as pets.