can you keep turtles as pets in australia

Reptile keeping in Australia is a privilege, not a right. In most instances, licences must be applied for before a reptile is obtained, and records must be kept, with annual reporting required. Many reptile owners also own other pets, the growing popularity of reptiles as an alternative pet is due to the fact that they usually require much less care and handling than other more common pets. Approach from the front. In some respects this is perhaps a better term. Reptiles make great pets but the different species have different temperature and environmental requirements. Some people I've met can keep these pets alive, but few can keep a turtle or tortoise and have them thrive. Australia has a unique population of tadpoles and frogs, but only a small amount of these are able to be kept as pets, and a license is required in order to keep some of the rarer species as pets. Yes - depending on which state you live in there are different laws on keeping reptiles, but you will need a license first. Keep Your Pet Turtle Healthy. If you're thinking about getting one, for the sake of these beautiful creatures, please read this list first and sleep on your decision. Turtles are inherently wild animals and hence can neither be tamed, nor is it a good idea to confine them to small enclosures. Don't buy small turtles as pets or give them as gifts - that's the message from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after an outbreak … TANK-To keep a baby turtle as a pet you first need a fish Tank. It depends what type of turtle you have, but generally turtles will eat insects, fish and dark, leafy greens. This is the largest freshwater turtle in Australia, with a shell measuring up to 485mm long. 5-foot tank ….4-5 Hatchlings. Experience Level: Beginners; Family: Kinosternidae; Scientific Name: Sternotherus carinatus; Common Names: razor -backed musk turtle; Adult Size: 6 inches; Lifespan: 20 years; … Having read up on reptile keeping you will have to decide what particular animals you want to keep. Let your turtle settle into its new surroundings for the first three or four days after you bring them home. 2. Long term Commitment. FILTER-Turtles produce a lot of waste, so an adequate filter will be needed to keep the water clean. For more check out the African Sideneck Care Guide. There are so many options that choosing a pet turtle can be overwhelming. Part 1 of 2: Petting a Turtle. Each different type and turtle species has its own unique requirements for food, shelter, water source, and even levels of heat and humidity. History Prior to regulations in 1974 restricting the removal of reptiles from the wild throughout mainland Australia, large numbers of freshwater turtles were harvested from the wild and sold to pet shops throughout southern Australia including Tasmania. Turtles are fascinating creatures and can make great pets provided their care needs are met. A specialist pet shop is also the best place to buy your turtle food. For those who are going to keep their turtles in an indoor aquarium, it really is a case of bigger is better. If you are moving to Queensland or are considering buying an exotic animal to keep as a pet, it is important to know which animals you are allowed to keep as pets. If you truly think you have the requirements to purchase a pet turtle or tortoise, then, by all means, go ahead—but only then! The best you can hope for is a docile — and sometimes playful — pet that won't crush you to death with its powerful jaw. Steps. Some rascally pet shop owners may try to pass one of these turtles off as a turtle that will stay small, but don’t be tricked. All Australian turtles are protected, so a license is required for having one. In terms of care, the terrapin is relatively easy to care for. Let’s dive in and see why turtles are not to be kept as pets: Turtles Can’t Thrive in Captivity. It's a big commitment. Most, but not all, of your turtle’s life will be within an enclosure. There is a list of good books to start with at the bottom of this page. Never feed reptiles food for other animals. Razorback Musk Turtle. 1. Despite its large size it is seldom seen, as it has secretive habits and rarely emerges from the water. 4-foot tank ….3-4 Hatchlings. If you have chosen a turtle as a pet it may need to be kept indoors away from predators. here are two beautiful turtle species that can be kept as pets in WA if you have obtained a suitable Reptile Keeper’s Licence. Turtles are wonderful and fascinating animals with 26 species in Australia alone. Tasmania has no native freshwater turtles and any freshwater turtle spotted in Tasmania is an invasive species. You will find that Australian tortoises are called turtles. Some adult turtles will need them as well, especially if they are a breed that require certain temperatures to remain healthy. A heat lamp should be next on your list of things to purchase for caring for a turtle. It is true that some are better suited to life with humans than others, but here are ten different types of turtles that would be happy to live with you. The keeping of reptiles as pets is regulated on a state-by-state basis, and the laws are subject to change. These are the Oblong turtle and Flat Shelled turtle. Before you purchase your reptile, talk to your vet or a person experienced in the care of reptiles for advice. Frogs are kept in enclosures, and a number of breeds are available to purchase from the Australian Amphibian Research Centre. Quick Facts. The main species of turtles kept as pets in Australia are the long-necked turtles such as the ... tell you if you need a licence to keep the kind of turtle you choose, and if so, they will tell you how to get one. They can grow up to 30cm and live a long life. Red-eared sliders were once popular pets but are currently banned in Australia. Turtles are reptiles that do have scales and are cold-blooded, most turtles spend much of their time in the water, tend to have webbed feet and are omnivores. Turtles are also popular pets, however a lot of time and effort needs to go in to water changing and filtration. The exception being if you have a young turtle, you will need to feed it every day. How can I keep my turtle healthy? The names applied to freshwater Chelonians or Testudines can differ. The Murray short necked turtle is the most common to have as a pet. These turtles are still regularly found in the wild and being kept as illegal pets. You can purchase tadpoles and frogs at all stages, depending on what … If you want to buy and keep another native animal as a pet you will need to change to a Native Animal Keeper Licence (more than one animal). It looks rather like the eastern long-necked turtle but has a flatter head and a narrower plastron without black margins on the shields. A heater in the water is optional. Some animals are illegal to keep in Queensland without a permit. They’ll get on their docks more if the water is cold (this is good for their shells too). There are a few native freshwater turtles that you can keep as pets - the most common being the murray or short neck turtle, and the eastern long neck turtle. Razor-Backed Musk Turtles. These turtles can actually reach up to 14 inches long depending on the gender. According to the RSPCA website, keeping native freshwater turtles as pets is subject to permit or licensing restrictions, depending on the state or territory you live in. All enquiries welcome. Turtles can live into their 40s or even longer. Research the different species. However, Australia, has no native land tortoises. To have a turtle as a pet, you … If not send us a message or give us a call. Set up the tank – you’ll need a dock of some sort (a rocky platform will do), a UV lamp to keep the shells healthy, and a heat lamp to keep their blood warm. I believe that if more people keep Australian freshwater turtles as pets, the more knowledge we will gain from the experience and we will be better equipped to help them in the future. There may be a ban on certain animals (especially if they’re considered to be dangerous), while many companies have a strict no-pets policy. Licencing: All lizards, snakes and turtles are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act and it is against the law to take them from the wild. There are no ‘penny’ sized turtles in Australia that stay that small as adults. Though they start off being small and feeble, turtles can become very large as they grow up. Regular water changes are essential to keep your turtles healthy. Lighting: Most turtle keepers use fluorescent tubes to light their turtle tanks. Some native snakes, lizards, geckos, dragons and turtles can be kept as pets as long as you have a licence. Place turtles on a low, flat surface. If you couldn't tell already, we LOVE Turtles! Gravel can be used but river sand is a much better choice. Many times they’ll try to pass red-eared sliders off as miniature turtles because they stay small for a while. Turtle societies can answer questions about caring for pets and promoting turtle welfare. Pop Quiz! Most turtle breeders will tell you that, as a general rule of thumb, turtle tanks need to be five times the length of an adult turtle and contain water that is two and a half times as deep as the turtle is long. You claimed you read this article, and if you did you'd see that it is not at all a care manual but more of a discussion about the domestication status of minks, why they make bad pets, oh and of course you know, how I feel about using them to hunt. Please visit our website - we're sure you'll find what you're looking for. Turtles are a high maintenance pet and aren’t suitable for children. If you are looking online for a unique or exotic animal from outside Australia, consider whether it is allowed to be imported. While it’s common to keep dogs and cats as pets, other unique and interesting animals including reptiles, insects, amphibians and terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates are increasing in popularity and becoming more available. Turtles don’t need to eat every day, 3-4 times a week will suffice. Turtles are also one of the 11 animals you should keep away from your face. Before you adopt any terrapins as mini pet turtles, make sure that you go through the right channels. For those of you who own a pet turtle/tortoise, this is how to pet one without injuring the turtle. Keeping reptiles as pets in Australia is one of the fastest growing sectors amongst the pet-owning community, with reptiles now often regarded as companion animals. If the turtle cannot see you and suddenly your hand appears, it may get frightened and bite you. Always approach a turtle from the front so that it can see you. In South Australia, we mainly see Eastern Long Neck turtles. In all, the African sideneck turtle is one of the best pet turtles you can keep. 6-foot tank ….5-6 Hatchlings . Because it has a protected status, you may need a permit to keep one as a pet depending on your state and locale. 6. It is illegal to capture reptiles from the wild to keep them as pets — all reptile pets in Australia must have been bred in captivity. The bigger the turtle, the bigger the tank and the greater the volume of water required. Here is a guide to show you how many turtles you can have in different size tanks: 3-foot tank ….2-3 Hatchlings. Aquarium Vacuum: Used to remove turtle droppings and uneaten food scraps, and to drain the aquarium at the same time. You can also buy your pet canned or pelleted turtle food and mealworms. Be mindful of people’s allergies and phobias. Pet turtle care requires the right environment, and all baby turtles need climate control. Meanwhile, alligator snapping turtles ... Make sure that workplace regulations allow you to keep office pets before you bring them to work. ... With this licence you can keep one animal as a pet. 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