Code of Practice Captive Reptile and Amphibian Husbandry Nature Conservation Act 1992 ♥ The State of Queensland, Department of Environment and Science, 2020 Copyright protects this publication. Except for purposes permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by whatever means is prohibited without prior written permission of the Department of Environment and Science. Requests for permission should be addressed to Department of Environment and Science, GPO Box 2454 Brisbane QLD 4001. Author: Department of Environment and Science Email: [email protected] Approved in accordance with section 174A of the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Acknowledgments: The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has prepared this code in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and recreational reptile and amphibian user groups in Queensland. Human Rights compatibility The Department of Environment and Science is committed to respecting, protecting and promoting human rights. Under the Human Rights Act 2019, the department has an obligation to act and make decisions in a way that is compatible with human rights and, when making a decision, to give proper consideration to human rights. When acting or making a decision under this code of practice, officers must comply with that obligation (refer to Comply with Human Rights Act). References referred to in this code- Bustard, H.R. (1970) Australian lizards. Collins, Sydney. Cann, J. (1978) Turtles of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Australia. Cogger, H.G. (2018) Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. Revised 7th Edition, CSIRO Publishing. Plough, F. (1991) Recommendations for the care of amphibians and reptiles in academic institutions. National Academy Press: Vol.33, No.4. Tyler, M.J. (1998) Australian Frogs. A Natural History. Cornell University Press. Weigel, J. (1990) Care of Australian reptiles in captivity. Reptile Keepers Association, Gosford. Wilson, S.K. (2013) Australian lizards. A Natural History. CSIRO Publishing. Page 2 of 45 • 220820 Department of Environment and Science Code of Practice Captive reptile and amphibian husbandry Table of Content Contents Acknowledgments: ................................................................................................................................ 2 Table of Content ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1. About this code .......................................................................................................................... 7 2. Reptiles and amphibians of Queensland .................................................................................. 8 General information:.............................................................................................................................. 8 3. Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 8 4. Aims of herpetology ................................................................................................................... 8 5. Purpose of code ......................................................................................................................... 8 6. Acquisition of reptiles and amphibians .................................................................................... 9 General information:.............................................................................................................................. 9 Minimum Standards: ............................................................................................................................. 9 7. Selling and giving away reptiles and amphibians .................................................................. 10 General information:............................................................................................................................ 10 8. Transitional exemption for keeping unlicensed amphibians and their return to the wild ... 10 General information:............................................................................................................................ 10 Minimum standards: ............................................................................................................................ 10 9. Repatriation of the progeny of wild-caught amphibians........................................................ 10 General information:............................................................................................................................ 10 Minimum standards: ............................................................................................................................ 11 10. Requirements for safe transport ............................................................................................. 11 Containers .......................................................................................................................................... 11 General information:............................................................................................................................ 11 Minimum standards: ............................................................................................................................ 11 Thermoregulation .............................................................................................................................. 12 General information:............................................................................................................................ 12 Minimum standards: ............................................................................................................................ 13 Air freight............................................................................................................................................ 13 General information:............................................................................................................................ 13 Minimum Standards: ........................................................................................................................... 13 11. Records ..................................................................................................................................... 14 General information:............................................................................................................................ 14 12. Collection of food reptiles ....................................................................................................... 14 General information:............................................................................................................................ 14 Minimum standards: ............................................................................................................................ 15 13. Euthanasia ................................................................................................................................ 15 General information:............................................................................................................................ 15 Minimum standards: ............................................................................................................................ 16 14. Captive husbandry ................................................................................................................... 16 General information:............................................................................................................................ 16 Hygiene ............................................................................................................................................... 16 General information:............................................................................................................................ 16 Page 3 of 45 • 220820 Department of Environment and Science Code of Practice Captive reptile and amphibian husbandry Thermal biology ................................................................................................................................. 16 General information:............................................................................................................................ 16 Minimum standards: ............................................................................................................................ 17 Water requirements ........................................................................................................................... 17 General information:............................................................................................................................ 17 Minimum standards: ............................................................................................................................ 17 Behaviour of healthy animals ........................................................................................................... 18 General information:............................................................................................................................ 18 Management of social behaviours in captivity ................................................................................ 18 Minimum standards: ...........................................................................................................................