You may need this licence if you intend to keep a native reptile as a pet. You may keep native reptiles as pets under Companion, R1, R2, R3, R4 and / or R5 class licences. The class of licence depends on the number and species of reptiles you intend to keep.
For one reptile, you will require a Companion Animal Keeper Licence that allows you to keep one native reptile that has been bred by a licensed pet shop or breeder in captivity. For a list of what reptiles can be kept please see the attached document.
For more than one reptile or a R1 reptile, you will require:
- Native Animal Keeper Licence (R1) Basic Reptile - This licence allows you to keep more than one reptile that has been bred in captivity as a pet. This licence allows you to add another class of animal in addition to a reptile. For example, you may also keep a snake and another kind of native animal as a pet. Reptiles covered by this licence have basic keeping requirements and are readily available from a licensed pet shop or breeder
To keep a R2, R3, R4 and / or R5 reptile, you will require:
- Advanced Class Native Animal Keeper Licence - This licence allows you to keep reptiles that may be rare and are more difficult to keep than Companion or R1 class reptiles. These reptiles are not traded by pet shops and can only be obtained from specialist reptile breeders.
Class R3, R4 and R5 licences have special requirements. For example, they include venomous species that pose risks if not handled safely. Please consult the Contact Officer for more information.
