Are reptiles dangerous?

Are Reptiles dangerous? #

One question we are asked whenever we are handling an animal, cleaning an enclosure or performing routine maintenance is – “are reptiles dangerous?”

Just like every question related to reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates answered on our knowledge base, the answer is fairly complex and will require some explaining.
The first part we need to answer is – “it”. What is it? What “it” are we discussing? “it” in our experience is a snake, lizard, arachnid or an insect. Now which of those are venomous?
• There are 600 species of venomous snakes.
• There are 2 recognised (there are several species of monitor lizards currently being studied for venom production and delivery) species of venomous lizard.
• And there are potentially millions of species of venomous insect and arachnid.
Venomous animals deliver toxins through bites and stings. It is a deliberate method of venom delivery designed to incapacitate prey or, in some cases, a potential threat. Venomous animals can be incredibly dangerous and can be a risk to life. Click here to learn more about venoms and poisons Are all snakes poisonous.docx

As a reptiles specialist pet store, we do NOT have a DWA (dangerous wild animal licence) and so cannot have anything listed as a DWA species. This includes –
• Venomous Snakes:
All members of the families Elapidae (cobras, coral snakes, kraits, mambas, sea snakes, and all Australian venomous snakes) and Hydrophiidae (sea snakes) are included. Additionally, certain rear-fanged venomous snakes, like the boomslang and Montpellier snake, are also covered.
• Crocodilians:
Alligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae) are also classified as dangerous wild animals.
• Venomous Lizards:
The Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard (family Helodermatidae) are included.
• Large Monitor Lizards:
Some large monitor lizards, such as the Komodo dragon, are also considered dangerous.
• Large Constrictor Snakes:
Certain large constrictor snakes are included.
Some species of snake can get very, VERY large, reaching more than 20 feet length. Some have been recorded killing and devouring people. The most recent incidents were –
• 2017:
Akbar Salubiro, an Indonesian farmer, was swallowed whole by a reticulated python
• 2018:
Wa Tiba, a 54-year-old woman, was killed and swallowed by a 23-foot reticulated python on Muna island in Indonesia
• 2024:
A woman in Indonesia was also swallowed whole by a reticulated python

We, as a business, are not in the habit of trading in animals that could be a risk to human life. Unless we have a rescue animal (our last being a dwarf reticulated python – nicknamed “Kaos” – who was rescued by the RSPCA and brought to so we could rehabilitate the little terror. He was 8’6” in length) the animals we sell are almost always under 10 feet long and are not dangerous per se. That is to say, these animals can defend themselves if threatened (I, myself was caught by Kaos due to his strong feeding response and my inability to react fast enough to move 😊) but he showed no defensive behaviour and was never aggressive toward anyone. More often than not, people will receive a bite or sting from an animal, and it is entirely, and I stress the word, ENTIRELY their own fault. There are very few species of any mammal, reptile, bird, arachnid or insect that will bite or sting unprovoked and without warning. Despite some hardcore spider keepers that will say “my OBT (orange baboon tarantula or orange bitey thing) will lunge for me whenever I change water in its tank”, knowing this particular species very well, the spider feels threatened by the proximity of what it perceives as a threat. You’re too close to it and it will defend itself. The warning itself may be very subtle and missed by many, but I promise you dear reader, the warning is there! Rattlesnakes and their infamous tail, frilled lizards and their hooded defensive response, the toothless keeled egg eating snake rubbing its scales together and mimicking the behaviour of the highly venomous saw-scaled viper and even the bearded dragon, so named for its defensive displays and dark protruding “beard” meant as a warning to predators and peers alike. Every animal that has the potential to defend itself will warn you first.

If you should see us handling an animal or cleaning an animal out, then there is no danger. The animals we trade in can deliver bites and stings if they feel threatened, but we can recognise when they –
1. Have had enough
2. Are not in the mood
3. Just don’t like people
4. Are not a handleable species
And we do not allow anyone to handle an animal that is not comfortable interacting with people at that specific time, and we certainly don’t handle aggressive animals that could be described as dangerous!
So, are reptiles dangerous? Probably not. Definitely not if we hand it over to you.

Unsure about keeping snakes? Contact us and a member of our friendly reptile team will happily answer all of your questions.

Why not check out our YouTube channel for some cool videos on our reptiles and helpful tips on husbandry!