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WARNING: Never
leave your pet in the sun unattended!!
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 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.
·
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.
·
CALM 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.
The new regulations were published in the Govt. Gazzette back in
September '02 and the species lists on 7th March '03. It is all systems go!!!