You need a licence for one of these, which one?
Animal welfare groups want the Government to introduce legislation amid evidence of a drastic increase in the number of potentially dangerous animals being kept here in the past 15 years.
In Britain, where regulations are in force, statistics show there are five million reptiles in private hands a threefold growth within the last decade.
Research there also shows animals such as lizards, lemurs, pythons and porcupines are almost overtaking domestic pets in popularity.
The Dublin Society for the Cruelty of Prevention to Animals (DSPCA) warned the laws need to be changed soon. "It is a growing problem," said Inspector Robert Kenny. "Most of these animals mature sexually after 18 months and that's when they become aggressive. There have been cases in the North where animals have attacked people, including their owners."
"All people need to prove is that they were imported here legally or were bred in captivity here. I could technically cross the border with a herd of elephants and no one could stop me."
The Department of Agriculture said its sole role was completing the paperwork in the import and export of endangered species. And the Department of Environment is still preparing legislation to cover dangerous animals.
The DSPCA wants legislation to be introduced here as in Britain, which would also cover poisonous snakes.
Meanwhile, the ISPCA suggests a simple licensing process for animals not deemed to be dangerous such as exotic birds, reptiles and smaller mammals. On the matter of animals classified as dangerous, it is demanding owners provide secure caging and take adequate public safety measures.
The organisation also wants a licensing authority established.
Peter Ward, who helped set up a Southern Herpetological Group, provides a helpline in Cork for reptile owners.
"Unfortunately, some of the pet shops that sell exotic species don't have a clue," he said.
"There are problems associated with heat and unless the temperature is right, snakes will not digest their food.
"People also often buy a hatchling at 18 inches long and don't realise that snakes, like the Burmese python when they reach eight feet, have the physical strength to kill a man. Pet owners never think of what growth rate some reptiles can achieve."
Reptile helpline: (086) 804 8742.
