Depending on where you are located, you may or may not be able to keep a Monitor lizard as a pet in Canada.
British Columbia allows the possession of most Monitor lizards which are commonly found in the pet trade, with some exceptions.
Some of the most popular pet Monitor lizards, ad esempio Ackie monitor (Varano acanthurus), Monitor della savana (Varano esantematico), E Timor Monitors (Varanus timorensis) are generally allowed.
This is however not the case for Ontario, and the regulations can vary from city to city.
Per esempio, Toronto has stricter regulations that prevent all species of Monitor lizards to be kept as pet.
If you are planning to adopt a pet Monitor, make sure to check your local regulations.
Below is a list of Monitor lizard species that are prohibited to keep in Canada (including BC):
Prohibited Species Monitor Lizards
- Drago di Komodo (Varanus komodoensis)
- Monitor del Nilo (Varano nilotico)
- Perentie Monitor (Varanus giganteus)
- Variegated Monitor (Varanus varius)
- Monitor dell'acqua (Varano salvatore)
- Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis)
- Crocodile Monitor (Varanus salvadori)
All these species of Monitor lizards are illegal to own, breed and transport anywhere in Canada.
If a species is not listed above, it may be allowed, but a permit may be required depending on its size and your specific area of residence.
Allowed Species of Monitor Lizards
- Ackie Monitor (Varano acanthurus)
- Savana Monitor (Varano esantematico)
- Monitor dell'acqua asiatico (Varano salvatore)
- Pygmy Mulga Monitor (Varanus gilleni)
- Timor Monitor (Varanus timorensis)
- Any other Varanidae not listed as a prohibited species
Restricted species of monitor lizards can be owned, bred and transported without a permit if they are smaller than two metres (this is usually the case for smaller species like Ackie monitors).
A permit is required if the lizard reaches a length of over two metres as an adult.
All species of Monitor lizards, regardless of size, cannot be released in the wild under any circumstances.
Again, regulations vary between regions and sometimes even cities.
Fonte: List of Controlled Alien Species in British Columbia (Updated December 2012)
Legality of Monitor Lizards in Toronto
Purtroppo, it is not possible to legally own a Monitor lizard in Toronto.
This is in accordance to the TORONTO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 349, ANIMALS which states that the following animals are prohibited:
(…)
REPTILES
Crocodylia (come gli alligatori, coccodrilli, gavials)
All snakes which reach an adult length larger than 3 metres
All lizards which reach an adult length larger than 2 metres
OTHER
All venomous and poisonous animals
(…)
Sadly, all Monitor lizards fall into one or both of the categories highlighted above.
Even though most Monitors that are kept as pets do not reach 2 metres in length as adults, all species are venomous and therefore forbidden in Toronto.
PetsWithScales.com è un sito Web informativo sulla cura degli animali domestici delle grandi lucertole. Raccogliamo e forniamo informazioni da diverse fonti sul Web su come mantenere e prendersi cura dei rettili come animali domestici. Le specie di cui ci occupiamo principalmente sono i tegu, lucertole monitor (varani), scinchi e gechi. Il nostro obiettivo è fornire informazioni di alta qualità per aiutare i proprietari di animali domestici a migliorare, decisioni più informate sulla dieta dei loro animali, salute e vita.