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Snakes Alive! Reptiles Find Favour With Pet Owners

Author: AVA
Posted: Thursday 12th January, 2006. 00:00:00

Reptiles are experiencing a surge in popularity amongst pet owners according to members of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).

Carpet pythons, short and long-necked turtles, shingleback lizards, bearded dragons, blue-tongued lizards, and even salt-water crocodiles are being taken up as pets by an enthusiastic group of new pet owners.

In NSW, for example, there are around 9,500 holders of licences to keep reptiles, with licence numbers increasing around 20 per cent over the previous year.

According to AVA Member and reptile expert, Dr Robert Johnson, reptiles can be fascinating and rewarding pets to keep, but they often require a special degree of commitment from their owners to meet their needs.

“It is important that people who wish to keep reptiles research the unique needs of their animals before becoming owners. Reptiles have very specific husbandry requirements and it is a good idea for new owners to learn as much as they can before buying one,” Dr Johnson said. “I see many reptiles at my practice, and a presenting illness or symptom is usually related to some aspect of their husbandry. For example, pythons will lose their appetite and become quite listless if not kept at their optimum temperature.

“Reptile keepers need to keep in mind that owning one of these animals is a long term commitment. Pythons can live for more than 15 years, blue tongues can live for 20 years and turtles can live up to 50 years or more.”

All of Australia’s native reptiles are protected and can only be kept with special licences and obtained from accredited reptile keepers. Further information about obtaining licences for keeping reptiles is available from National Parks and Wildlife Services in your state or territory.

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