Why Are Reptiles So Expensive in WA?

After much pressure from keen herpetologists, the laws changed on 28 February 2003 finally allowing the West Australian public to keep reptiles as pets. 

The Approved Reptiles Keepers List issued by CALM includes 41 species of reptiles and amphibians that are native to WA.

• 11 Species in Category 2 – Applicants under 18yo can apply for this licence.
• 10 Species in Category 3 – Applicants need to be over 18yo to apply for this licence.
• 9 Species in Category 4 – Applicants need to be over 18yo and have 12 months experience to apply for this licence.
• 11 Species in Category 5 – Applicants need to be over 18yo plus venomous experience or restricted Cat 5 is available for non-venomous species.

Most other states have been able to keep reptiles as pets for up to 20 years or more and in that time breeding programs have been well and truly established.

So where did your pets come from?  Keen herpetologists and snake busters applied for a Takers Licence from CALM and self-financed field trips into the bush to locate and capture pythons, monitors, geckos, dragons, turtles and frogs, which they sell to pet shops.

Before an animal has been sold as a pet it has incurred many of the following costs:

• A Taker’s Licence of $1000 per annum
• Plus the cost of a field trip to locate and capture 
• Plus a royalty to CALM for each animal caught and the royalty increases as the category goes up (ie $20 per Category 2 animal, $50 per Cat 3, $100 per Cat 4 and $200 per Cat 5).
• Plus the costs of Quarantine, including medical care, removing ticks and mites, feeding and housing (electricity).
• Or a Breeders Licence of $1000 per annum
• Plus the cost of feeding and housing before being sold as hatchlings cannot be legally sold until they are 3 months old (which in some cases is far too early).
• A Dealers Licence (the pet shop) can cost up to $1000 per annum depending on the Category.
• The cost of freight, $30 import fees, plus half the royalty cost on every reptile imported, to buy reptiles and amphibians from the Eastern States. 
• Plus the cost of feeding and housing until they are sold.
• Some dealers have a good selection for their clients, which no doubt is an added cost again.

Reptile Trader hopes to work with responsible keepers to breed reptiles and amphibians here in WA.  This way we can bring you captive bred animals that are healthier and cheaper for many years to come.

If you are interested in breeding, click here to see our Breeding Specials.