Hi
NO corn snakes are not illegal in Australia.
Really? Don't they come under the law banning exotic reptiles as pets?
From Aussie Python. com
http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/exotic-reptiles-5384/corn-snakes-australia-20154/
From The dept of sustainability and Environment, which regards corns as highly invasive pests
Corn snake found wandering streets
30 March, 2012
corn snake
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is urging the public to provide information about the illegal possession of reptiles after a Corn Snake was found in Corio.
The free-roaming Corn Snake was found in a residential backyard on Thursday the 8 March. The snake was captured by a local snake controller and handed into DSE.
DSE Senior Investigator Sam Moore said that Corn Snakes were once well-established in the illegal pet trade and are highly sought after due to their striking coloration and appeal to collectors.
“The discovery of this snake is of concern, as Corn Snakes are regarded as the rabbits of the reptile world and are capable of establishing wild populations,” Ms Moore said.
“Corn Snakes are discrete in their travel and it’s quite possible that this snake has travelled in excess of a kilometer through people’s backyards to its point of capture.”
The species originates from North America and although non-venomous, are deemed a high risk invasive animal with significant potential to establish wild populations and pose a significant threat to agriculture and local biodiversity in Australia.
Corn Snakes are typically a brownish-orange colour with orange/red patterns that have black borders, and usually a black and white underbelly. However, in captivity, they can be other colours such as black and white ‘chequered’ and white/yellow.
“The earlier we detect high risk invasive animals the more likely we will be able to eradicate and control them,” Ms Moore said.
“The discovery of this snake is also of concern because it highlights that there are still people in the community illegally keeping non-native reptiles, with minimum regard to security.
“We are concerned that such people may also be housing more dangerous high risk invasive species and cannot be certain whether the Corn Snake has escaped or been deliberately released into the wild.”
It is illegal to import, keep, breed, trade or release high-risk invasive animals and significant penalties apply.
“We are confident that with help from the public, we can identify people who are illegally keeping high risk invasive animals.”
As far as I understand it no private individual is permitted to legally own corns down under. Zoos and licensed exhibitors can though.
