Unfortunately, you cannot legally own a tegu in Australia.
The Australian government has strict laws regarding the importation and ownership of exotic animals, and tegus are not native to Australia. As such, it is illegal to keep a tegu as a pet in Australia.
The only way to legally own a tegu in Australia is to have a permit from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). However, permits are rarely granted, and only for scientific or educational purposes.
No species of tegu is currently legal to own as a pet in Australia. Argentine tegus, Red tegus, and Colombian tegus are all considered invasive species.
If you are caught in possession of a tegu in Australia, you could face a fine of up to $22,000 or up to two years in prison.
Tegus are an invasive species in Australia
Tegu lizards are considered invasive in Australia. They are native to South America and were first introduced to the country as pets in the 1990s.
Since then, they have escaped or been released into the wild and have established populations in several states, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Tegus are considered a threat to native wildlife in Australia. They compete with native animals for food and habitat, and they can also prey on native animals.
Tegus are also known to carry diseases that can be transmitted to native animals and have unfortunately cause disruption in other countries where they have become an invasive species, such as in parts of the United States.
Alternative Options
If you are looking for a pet reptile, there are many native Australian species that are legal to own and make great pets.
Some popular choices include bearded dragons, blue-tongued skinks, and water dragons.
Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons are a popular choice for reptile pets because they are relatively small, easy to care for, and very social.
They are native to Australia and can be found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, woodlands, and grasslands. Bearded dragons are omnivores and eat a variety of insects, fruits, and vegetables.
They are also known for their ability to change color, which they do to communicate with other bearded dragons or to regulate their body temperature.
Blue-Tongued Skinks
Blue-tongued skinks are another popular choice for reptile pets. They are slightly larger than bearded dragons, but they are still relatively easy to care for.
Blue-tongued skinks are native to Australia and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands. They are omnivores and eat a variety of insects, small mammals, and reptiles.
Blue-tongued skinks are also known for their gentle temperament and their ability to learn their owner’s name.
Water Dragons
Water dragons are a species of monitor lizard, but they are still relatively easy to care for.
They are native to Australia and can be found in a variety of habitats, including rivers, streams, and swamps.
Water dragons are omnivores and eat a variety of insects, fish, and small mammals. They are also known for their ability to swim and climb.
TEGU QUICK LINKS
PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.
PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.