Introduction
Snakes are a protected species in the Northern Territory (NT).
This is a guide on keeping venomous snakes in the NT.
It includes information on permits, the three categories of venomous snakes and housing, feeding and caring for a snake in captivity.
Permits for venomous snakes
Venomous snakes can be very dangerous.
You need a permit to keep any venomous snake in the Northern Territory (NT).
The category of the permit depends on the level of danger attached to a species.
There are three permit categories for keeping venomous snakes:
- Category 1 – mildly dangerous venomous.
- Category 2 – dangerous venomous.
- Category 3 – highly dangerous venomous.
When you apply for a permit to keep a venomous snake, you need to consider all of the following:
- your property will be inspected by Parks and Wildlife staff to see if it is suitable for a venomous snake
- you may need approvals from your local council, the Department of Health or the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment
- you must get your snake from a legal source that has a permit
- your permit does not let you remove snakes from the wild
- allow five days to process a Category 1 permit
- allow two weeks to process a Category 2 and 3 permit.
If you want to import or export a snake you will need a separate permit.
Snakes you can't keep
For medical reasons you can't get a permit to keep any of the following snake families in the NT:
- copperhead snakes
- broad-headed snakes
- tiger snakes
- rough-scaled snake
- eastern small-eyed snake.
Exotic snakes, venomous or non-venomous, can't be kept by private permit holders in the NT.
Category 1: mildly dangerous venomous snakes
These are the protected venomous snakes in permit category 1.
Code | Scientific name | Common name |
---|---|---|
U2630 | Boiga irregularis | brown tree snake |
W2631 | Cerberus australis | bockadam |
E2634 | Enhydris polylepis | Macleay’s water snake |
Z2655 | Demansia psammophis | yellow-faced whip snake |
G2651 | Rhinoplocephalus pallidiceps | northern small-eyed snake |
How to get a permit
To get a permit to keep a category 1 venomous snake you must be 18 years or older.
If you are between 14 and 17 you can be a nominee on a permit held by a parent or guardian.
You don't need any previous experience with venomous snakes.
Allow five days to process your permit.
Category 2: dangerous venomous snakes
These are the protected venomous snakes in permit category 2.
Code | Scientific name | Common name |
---|---|---|
Z2663 | Suta punctata | little spotted snake |
E2722 | Suta suta | myall or curl snake |
K2653 | Demansia olivacea | olive whip snake |
Y2652 | Demansia atra | black whip snake |
M2654 | Demansia papuensis | Papaun whip snake |
These are the prohibited venomous snakes in permit category 2.
Code | Scientific name | Common name |
---|---|---|
C2693 | Pseudechis porphyriacus | red-bellied black snake |
How to get a permit
To get a permit to keep a category 2 venomous snake, you must be 18 years or older.
You must either:
- complete a recognised venomous snake handler and husbandry training course
- or supply two written references from people with a current keep permit (category 2 or 3) who can confirm your ability, knowledge and experience in handling venomous snakes.
You must have a minimum 12 months experience in keeping venomous snakes or have held a category 1 keep permit for at least 12 months.
You must have a current first aid certificate that covers treatment for a snake bite.
Allow two weeks to process your permit.
Category 3: highly dangerous venomous snakes
These are the protected venomous snakes in permit category 3.
Code | Scientific name | Common name |
---|---|---|
A2640 | Acanthophis antarcticus | southern death adder |
Y2804 | Acanthophis praelongus | northern death adder |
C2641 | Acanthophis pyrrhus | desert death adder |
K2689 | Oxyuranus microlepidotus | fierce snake |
Y2688 | Oxyuranus scutellatus | taipan |
U2690 | Pseudechis australis | mulga or king brown snake |
G2695 | Pseudonaja guttata | speckled brown snake |
M2698 | Pseudonaja nuchalis | western brown snake |
Z2699 | Pseudonaja textilis | common/eastern brown snake |
These are the prohibited snakes in permit category 3.
Code | Scientific name | Common name |
---|---|---|
NA | Acanthophis wellsi | Pilbara death adder |
W2691 | Pseudechis colletti | Collett's snake |
A2692 | Pseudechis guttatus | blue-bellied/spotted black snake |
How to get a permit
To get a permit to keep a category 3 venomous snake you must be 18 years or older.
You must either:
- complete a recognised venomous snake handler training course
- or supply two written references from people with a current category 3 keep permit who can confirm your ability, knowledge and experience in handling venomous snakes.
You must have a minimum 12 months experience in keeping category 2 or 3 venomous snakes or have held a category 2 keep permit for at least 12 months.
You must have a current first aid certificate that covers treatment for a snake bite.
Allow two weeks to process your permit.
Housing venomous snakes
You must protect snakes from predators, disease, pain, distress, suffering and injury.
Venomous snakes must be kept in lockable, escape-proof enclosures at all times.
A snake should be able to stretch out to its full body length inside the enclosure and have access to a hide box or shelter.
All category 2 and 3 snakes must be kept in a locked, escape-proof room. You must control access to this room and accompany any visitors.
Find out more about housing by reading caring for snakes.
Feeding venomous snakes
Snakes do not need daily feeding. Their food needs depend on age, breeding activity and environmental conditions.
Do not feed live animals to venomous snakes.
All food must be humanely put down before you feed it to snakes.
You need to provide fresh water in a shallow container that is big enough for the snake to enter and exit the water easily.
For more information on feeding, read caring for snakes.
Handling venomous snakes
You must handle snakes correctly to reduce the chance of injury to you and the snake.
Clean your hands before handling snakes, especially if you have been holding food such as mice.
Consider all of the following below before handling a venomous snake:
- look at the behaviour of your snake as you may avoid injury by recognising that your snake is stressed, anxious or poised to strike
- only handle snakes when you really need to
- always have someone else there when you handle venomous snakes in case you need help
- if you are bitten, seek medical attention immediately - stay calm, sit quietly and wait for an ambulance
- always wash your hands after handling snakes.
Transporting venomous snakes
You can only move a snake from a permit holder's property with approval from Parks and Wildlife.
A keep permit (category 1–3) does not let you transport venomous snakes.
Venomous snakes should be transported in fabric bags, with one animal in each bag, inside sealed containers.
These containers must show the number and species of snake inside.
The word 'venomous' should be clearly displayed on the container.
Make sure that all new snakes entering or exiting your collection are quarantined and the details of the supplier and receiver are recorded in the Vertebrate Wildlife Records Book with Parks and Wildlife.
Include the date, permit holder's name, address and permit number and the snake's sex and length.