Zijn monitorhagedissen legaal in Canada??

Afhankelijk van waar u zich bevindt, u kunt in Canada wel of niet een monitorhagedis als huisdier houden.

British Columbia staat het bezit toe van de meeste monitorhagedissen die veel voorkomen in de dierenhandel, met enkele uitzonderingen.

Enkele van de meest populaire monitorhagedissen als huisdier, zoals Ackie-monitoren (Varanus acanthurus), Savannah-monitoren (Varanus exanthematicus), en Timor-monitoren (Varanus timorensis) are generally allowed.

This is however not the case for Ontario, and the regulations can vary from city to city.

Bijvoorbeeld, 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

• Komodovaraan (Varanus komodoensis)
• Nijlmonitor (Varanus niloticus)
• Perentie Monitor (Varanus giganteus)
• Variegated Monitor (Varus Varus)
• Water-monitor (Varanus salvator)
• Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis)
• Krokodillenmonitor (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, Het may be allowed, but a permit may be required depending on its size and your specific area of residence.

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Allowed Species of Monitor Lizards

• Ackie Monitor (Varanus acanthurus)
• Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
• Aziatische watermonitor (Varanus salvator)
• 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.

Opnieuw, regulations vary between regions and sometimes even cities.

Bron: List of Controlled Alien Species in British Columbia (Updated December 2012)

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Legality of Monitor Lizards in Toronto

helaas, 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 (zoals alligators, krokodillen, 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.