Illegal reptiles a ‘biological invasion risk’

A black market in reptiles smuggled into Australia for the exotic pet trade has become a major threat to the country’s wildlife, according to a study by a national research centre.

The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre study says that wild populations of more than 20 species of non-native snakes, lizards and turtles have been documented over the past 13 years.

The CRC worked with scientists at the University of Adelaide in South Australia to develop computer modelling to calculate the risk of alien species of snakes and other reptiles becoming feral pests if they escaped or were dumped by pet owners.