FAQ
Questions
General
- Do I need a licence?
- What commitment is required?
- Warnings on illegal taking and keeping.
- What kind of housing do I need for my animal?
- Should I handle my pet?
- Can I release my pet reptile or frog?
- Where can I find out more information?
Reptile Care
- How difficult are reptiles or amphibians to care for?
- What should I feed my reptile or amphibian?
- What do I need to do?
- What do I do if my pet gets sick?
Answers
General
Yes. There are no species of reptiles or amphibians exempt from licence requirements in Western Australia. The Department of Environment and Conservation issues licences. Information on the various categories, costs and requirements is available directly from D.E.C. or through local pet dealers selling reptiles and amphibians. Licences are structured such that the easier to care for species, suitable for beginners, are the least costly.
Many reptiles and amphibians are reasonably long-lived, surviving 10 to 20 years, or more. As with all living pets they require a commitment to a regular feeding and cleaning schedule for the duration of their life. They are no different to pets such as dogs or cats in this respect.Warnings on illegal taking and keeping.
The taking of reptiles and amphibians from the wild for any purpose, except under a taker's licence, is illegal, and any people attempting to illegally keep these animals will be prosecuted.What kind of housing do I need for my animal?
Items as simple as aquariums or clear plastic containers can be successfully used to house reptiles and amphibians. However, there are a number of aspects to consider when choosing housing and appropriate decisions will depend upon the specific needs of the species you intend to keep.
Space
Many snakes are happy to live in enclosures smaller than one might think necessary. In contrast, highly active species will require much larger and more complex facilities. Arboreal species require more space than their ground dwelling counterparts. Some species can be housed in groups but for those that are territorial or cannibalistic, individuals need their own space. As animals grow, space requirements increase - an important consideration with the larger species.
Heating
Reptiles and amphibians are said to be "cold blooded". What this means is that these animals draw their body heat from the environment and regulate their preferred temperature through behaviour. To increase body temperature they will bask in direct sunlight or on a heated surface such as a rock. To decrease it they can retreat to the shade, climb a shrub or tree, or enter a burrow or water. Housing should therefore provide a thermal gradient with an appropriate range of temperature that is monitored using thermometers inside the cage. This normally involves a 'hot spot' for basking, usually at one end of the cage, and the opportunity to move well away from this to cool off. There must be a physical barrier between the animal and the basking lamp to avaoid burns. Water must be provided.
Lighting
A definite daylight cycle of lighting should be provided, either manually or automatically using a simple electrical timer. For animals that bask, use a full spectrum globe to provide the UV light they require to make vitamin D3 (essential for healthy bone structure). For viewing nocturnal animals, use a night bulb - either red or blue, as the animals' eyes do not register these as strongly.
Water
Always provide fresh cool water. Moisture requirements vary according to the microhabitat occupied in nature. For example, desert species that are active in the heat need dry conditions, while those used to living in moist burrows may need a more humid environment. Most frogs and many reptiles require sufficient water for them to soak or swim in.
Furnishings
The type of the substrate used on the cage floor can vary enormously from paper towelling or newspaper to sand to sphagnum moss and so on. It depends upon the requirements of the particular species and your personal preference. Arboreal species should be provided with branches and/or ledges on which they can climb and bask. Tree frogs appreciate plants with broad leaves strong enough to support them. Rock dwellers should be provided with rock surfaces, either real or artificial. Water frequenting animals should have access to an appropriate sized water dish. Other furnishings, such as bark slabs of cork, hollow limbs, clumps of dried porcupine grass and so forth, can be added according to the animal's behavioural habits, the microhabitat it occupies in nature and the aesthetic effects you desire. Please note that native plants are protected. Do not remove them from the bush to furnish pet cages.
Hiding Places
Many reptiles need access to a hidden retreat when they are not basking or active. If denied this they can become stressed and their health will suffer accordingly.
Viewing
Clear glass and plastic allows you to readily view your animals. However your desire to see your pet must be balanced against the animal's need for privacy. For those that are active at night, use of blue or red night time lighting assists observation.
Ventilation
Reptile and amphibian cages should be adequately ventilated to allow plenty of fresh air. Good quality nylon knitted shade cloth is well suited to this purpose while still providing security.
Cleaning
Animals should he checked daily and living quarters cleaned as required. Cages should provide good access for removal of droppings and replenishing or replacing water containers. Glass, fibreglass and plastic are the most easily cleaned materials and the least likely to harbour disease causing agents.
Security
The potential for a curious child or adult to let out a pet animal or possibly be bitten by it, must be considered. If children are around or you have "bitey" animals, your cage should definitely have a lockable catch on it. Cages should also be free of gaps, even small ones. Snakes in particular are great escape artists, being able to squeeze through the smallest of apertures. Enclosures must be secure and escape proof and for Category 5 species must be kept locked.
Many reptiles will adjust to regular handling and become quite docile in their behaviour, even accepting food from your fingers. As a general rule, however, handling should be kept to a minimum.
Reptiles and frogs carry a variety of diseases that do not harm them but may be transmitted to humans. These zoonotic diseases can cause serious illness. Therefore, good hygiene is essential to minimise the risk. Hands should be washed with warm soapy water after handling animals, their wastes or cage furnishings.Can I release my pet reptile or frog?
No! By releasing unwanted captive animals, even those that appear perfectly healthy, there is a very real danger of introducing exotic diseases or parasites into wild populations. Instead, they should be sold (or given) to a licensed dealer. Please do not contact Perth Zoo as they are not able to take such animals.Where can I find out more information?
The study of reptiles and amphibians is called HERPETOLOGY. The keeping of these animals in captivity is often referred to as HERPETOCULTURE (although you won't find that one in the dictionary yet). For those interested in herpetoculture, there are a number of ways to obtain information - reading books and pamphlets, accessing reptile-related web sites on the internet and joining a herpetological society where you can meet, listen to and talk with like-minded individuals.
Reptile Care
How difficult are reptiles or amphibians to care for?
Like most other types of pets, reptile and amphibian species vary from being relatively easy to look after to those that are quite demanding. To avoid disappointment and wasting money, it is strongly advised to start with an animal that's requirements are simple and easily met - such as bluetongues, bobtails or tree frogs.What should I feed my reptile or amphibian?
To meet the nutritional requirements of your animal you must first ensure that you are able to provide appropriate food items on a regular basis. These can range from readily available canned pet food and fruit/vegetables to dead mice/rats, to live crickets, flies, termites etc. It is important to know the diet of your species and vary it as much as you can. In nature, most animals have a varied diet that provides the full range of nutrients they require. In captivity this may have to be achieved by administering nutritional supplements such as extra calcium and vitamins. This is less critical with animals that consume whole mammals such as mice or rats.
Good care is about doing all you can to provide for your animal\'s needs. So before you purchase any reptile or amphibian, you need to do some research and find out its specific requirements. Only by knowing these, and then meeting them, will you be able to properly care for your animal and keep it healthy. Most requirements fall into two main categories - nutrition and housing.What do I do if my pet gets sick?
It is often not easy to determine when reptiles or frogs are sick, especially in the early stages. So don't wait. Seek advice from a vet experienced in these animals if you think there is a problem. Any consistent change from normal behaviour can be an early indication of disease. Some things to watch out for include: constipation, decreased appetite or activity, weight loss, vomiting, sores, swellings, inability to use a limb or move freely, wheezing, bubbles from the nose, external parasites or skin discolouration.
Prevention is better than cure and good husbandry is the best disease preventative. It is essential that you know and meet the needs of your animal(s) - housing, nutrition and environmental conditions. It is also important to avoid stress from excessive or inappropriate handling (such as snakes in pre-slough). In addition, ALL new acquisitions should be housed separately from established animals until proven to be disease and parasite free.