Keeping venomous snakes as pets

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:

  1. Category 1 – mildly dangerous venomous.
  2. Category 2 – dangerous venomous.
  3. 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.

CodeScientific nameCommon name
U2630Boiga irregularisbrown tree snake
W2631Cerberus australisbockadam
E2634Enhydris polylepisMacleay’s water snake
Z2655Demansia psammophisyellow-faced whip snake
G2651Rhinoplocephalus pallidicepsnorthern 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.

CodeScientific nameCommon name
Z2663Suta punctatalittle spotted snake
E2722Suta sutamyall or curl snake
K2653Demansia olivaceaolive whip snake
Y2652Demansia atrablack whip snake
M2654Demansia papuensisPapaun whip snake

These are the prohibited venomous snakes in permit category 2.

CodeScientific nameCommon name
C2693Pseudechis porphyriacusred-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.

CodeScientific nameCommon name
A2640Acanthophis antarcticussouthern death adder
Y2804Acanthophis praelongusnorthern death adder
C2641Acanthophis pyrrhusdesert death adder
K2689Oxyuranus microlepidotusfierce snake
Y2688Oxyuranus scutellatustaipan
U2690Pseudechis australismulga or king brown snake
G2695Pseudonaja guttataspeckled brown snake
M2698Pseudonaja nuchaliswestern brown snake
Z2699Pseudonaja textiliscommon/eastern brown snake

These are the prohibited snakes in permit category 3.

CodeScientific nameCommon name
NAAcanthophis wellsiPilbara death adder
W2691Pseudechis collettiCollett's snake
A2692Pseudechis guttatusblue-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.