The 5 Most ILLEGAL Reptiles You Can Not Keep and 5 Close Alternatives You Can!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Visit Audible.com/wickedreptiles or text wickedreptiles to 500-500 to get 60% off your first three months of audible at just $5.95/month!

[@shaeoloppie4079]

Where did u get split crow sweater I’m from Halifax Nova scotia

[@rottweilerfun9520]

What's Audible ? I've heard of it but I don't know what it is.

[@tangofett4065]

@@rottweilerfun9520 the best place to get audio books on your smart device. I’ve had it for year, but Adam’s WWR code is really awesome for the money it’ll save you

[@rottweilerfun9520]

@@tangofett4065 , Thank you very much .

[@FreefallEditz]

What should I name my ball python🐍

[@sporq4156]

I was fortunate enough to live in a place where we had Hellbenders living on our property. They lived in a small pool that was fed by seasonal rains. I spent a lot of time watching them and didn't realize how lucky I was to see them in the wild. We had a lot of heavy rain the next Spring and they disappeared down the seasonal stream. That was over 30 years ago and I never saw another Hellbender in the wild. And funny you mentioned Mudpuppies as an alternate. They showed up in the pool where the Hellbenders had been after the rainy season that year.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

that is so amazing!

[@joshuastover1047]

I’m fortunate to still have them in my area. They’re quite amazing creatures

[@GorillaGlue42]

I first discovered Mudpuppies about 5 years ago when I was fishing, I caught over 10 and just kept releasing them. One thing I learned was they love to eat worms lol

[@aperson336]

Aren’t mudpuppys endangered

[@cliffordbowman6777]

Reptiles instead of dogs or cats? Bunch of G-damn idiots. Weirdos.

[@justoneoftheguys111]

Talked my boyfriend out of trying to get a crocodilian by showing him red eyed crocodile skinks… he’s setting up a bioactive enclosure now for the first captive bred baby he can find :)

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

well done!

[@firelightning5018]

When you mentioned the hellbenders, it reminded me of a time that I went to the St Louis Zoo for a school field trip. They took us to the basement of the reptile building, and showed us their breeding program they had to help the species in the wild. They had ALOT of hellbenders in fish tanks.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

very interesting !

[@DragonFae16]

I think a really cool follow-up video to this one would be the top 5 countries with the strictest laws regarding owning reptiles and amphibians.

[@toastcrumbsinmybed9841]

Sounds like NZ 🤣 we can only keep Bearded dragons, blue tongue skinks, leopard geckos, eastern water dragons, axolotyls, and firebelly newts. There are a couple shinglebacks I heard but no one breeds them and no new reptiles/bloodlines can be imported. You can get permits to keep native geckos but it's a process and usually they have to be kept outdoors in the most natural environment as possible

[@KleopatraSzabo]

@@toastcrumbsinmybed9841 Singapore only allows you to own red stripes terrapins and that’s it :0 we’re also allowed green tree frogs, and that’s the only amphibian

[@nobrainsnoheadache2434]

Canada is one actually, you can't have turtles in my province, which disappoints me

[@Aethuviel]

Portugal even bans Boa constrictors. ☹️ Practically unlivable.

[@loquinbritton3186]

I live somewhere where someone very publicly lost a cobra and now we're looking at a bunch of new snake laws. I don't keep hot snakes myself (and won't, ever) but there are some venomous spiders (well, more highly venomous) I want to keep, so I'm definitely keeping an eye on it. Boo irresponsible exotic owners.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

one bad apple often ruins the bunch

[@wandereringshadow8658]

I have no clue why you would make a huge public deal out of losing your Cobra. Just inform the proper officals and get the situation handled in private, and usually things will be fine. Making a public show out of it will only result in bad things.

[@chitlitlah]

@@wandereringshadow8658 I think she's talking about what recently happened in Fort Worth, and if I recall correctly, the owner did alert police who then alerted the public so they would know not to mess with any snakes that might be it. I'm not sure why new laws would be needed though. That person was already arrested for existing laws. That's like making new laws because someone robs a bank even though they're already in prison for it.

[@caseysmith5890]

Does that happen to be in North Carolina? I know it happened there a year or 2 ago

[@loquinbritton3186]

@@caseysmith5890 yeah, I think it happened last year in Raleigh

[@dungeonsandcritters4812]

Ackie monitors are a fantastic substitute for a komodo dragon! Watching our boy hunt big locust and hoppers is a treat every time! Great video, like always.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

That is awesome!

[@another183]

There's also black throat monitors, if your feeling frisky and want some size

[@sampagano205]

@@another183 I mean if you're going to bring them up you might as well bring up crocodile Monitors and asian water monitors.

[@rottweilerfun9520]

Sheet , you oughta see my Komodo Dragon catching a neighborhood kid ! It's like a real life Godzilla movie.

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

they really are the cutest monitors

[@GallonMilkProductions]

The person who imported bearded dragons as we know them into the States (and inevitably all of "not australia") was jailed for it! We gotta thank that lad for perhaps the most popular and best starter lizard in the reptile trade.

[@leemasters3592]

There is no legal export of native animals from Australia. Any wild caught Australian native specimens have been illegally poached and smuggled out of the country. Usually in horrible conditions that cause most to die en route. Zoos sometimes can get exemptions, usually for captive bread animals but only to other zoos or similar institutions.

[@clintondemoss8774]

And thank God for him I love mine

[@thebluewolf2472]

@@leemasters3592 actually Australia only prevented the export of natives in the late 90s/early 2000s... I have an older friend who used to own so many exotics, but when the new laws came in he had to surrender his animals. So before that law was passed, it was pretty easy to import and export animals to and from Australia.

[@leemasters3592]

@@thebluewolf2472 Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982.

[@thebluewolf2472]

@@leemasters3592 sorry, I seriously thought it was the late 90s, early 2000s.

[@madelainekurtcobain6957]

As an Australian watching this: I wish our illegal to own list looked something like this. Anything that isn’t Australian is illegal here 😢

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

well you can have axolotls... haha

[@Alatreon2435]

At least you have cool natives that you can keep like antaresia pythons, carpet pythons, so many amazing monitors including the ackie, the Mertens water monitor and lace monitor.

[@rottweilerfun9520]

You have some really cool ones there at least.

[@dantealexander9863]

Well, you have some of the coolest reptiles in the world, so be happy.

[@dragonwithamonocle]

There are so many awesome animals I wish you guys could keep... From garter snakes and kingsnakes to mexican red-kneed tarantulas. But many of the most popular exotics in the hobby come from Australia! Bearded dragons (like three species of them! Seriously!), blue tongues, ackies, and so so so many more. Where I'm from, I'm insanely lucky if I see any reptiles, even one, in any given year. It's just too cold here in winter. Meanwhile folks in australia can just step out into their garden and find a blue-tongued skink crawling through their garden. The most interesting thing I've ever found near my house was a silk moth or jewel beetle, and those were both one-off instances.

[@torquess454]

I absolutely LOVE what Dayyan is trying to do with his Red eye croc skinks, he’s captive producing them in order for us to be able to more readily keep them, it’s this kind of conservation that’s so important in keeping the wild animals in the wild, to produce captive bred and share THOSE with the herping community… 🥰🥰🥰 Um, I think Diamond was a bit distracted in this video, you may wanna have a chat with him about professionalism…

[@sunflowerwillow6114]

I think those little crocodile skinks are a very reasonable alternative!!! They look like dragons too. Def gonna be conversation starter and you get to keep your hands!!!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I think so too!

[@TealHikari]

They are just adorable!!

[@kwanseden5130]

Always love the amphibian additions! A salamander top 5 would be cool too

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

coming soon!

[@midknight4383]

Definitely do that I love salamanders and I have a few!

[@Tatiana-fk9wb]

Ooooh I like this!

[@MrNiC0S]

Salamander/newt

[@aaronj2913]

Mudpuppies can be hard to own in a lot of states that restrict ownership of native salamanders. If you are in the US, an easier option may be a lesser siren or an amphiuma. You can often find these for sale wild caught from large retailers, and occasionally available captive bred. If you're not in the US though you're probably out of luck, salamander importing is extremely restricted due to chytrid fungus

[@rickcroney1286]

Great list/video. Like it or not many areas have restrictions making certain reptiles illegal so you're going to need to find an alternative. Well here you go...

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I hope it comes in handy for someone :) Thanks Rick!

[@ninjaswordtothehead]

Back in the mid 90s, I worked a stand at Soulard market in St. Louis. There was a guy that would go to all the fruit stands and stuff and hand out business cards with a number to call if anything alive was found in a crate. He'd come catch it for you for free. Always figured it was an animal control thing, never thought it could have been someone trying to find rare stuff. Just a random thing I remembered.

[@teejaykaye]

I'd never heard of the red eyed crocodile skink in my life before this video, and they have officially entered my list of dream reptiles/inverts to have as a pet one day.

[@glub9075]

Nice video!, I'm so excited for Christmas because I'm getting a blue tongue skink which is my first reptile. It's not really my first because I took care of a copper skink which I caught myself but my 1st bought reptile I guess? lol I love your videos

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

congrats!

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

Noice. Great lizard from what I hear. You doing the enclosure bioactive?

[@glub9075]

@@sasquatchdonut2674 I'll try lol I'm thinking of using some snake plants and a few logs lol because ik blue tongues are beasts lol. I'm in nz and so I can only get leos, beardies and blueys

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

@@glub9075 ok. Well good luck

[@TheCaptaininsaino]

In 1972, my Dad took us kids to Woolworths to buy a birthday present for my cousin. For some inexplicable reason, he decided a baby alligator ($9.99) would make a swell gift for an 8yr old. My Aunt was horrified, my cousin was puzzled - it didn't go over very well. I don't know what became of the poor little thing. I wonder when they became illegal to own in Canada.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

your dad is wild!

[@danielcurrie1549]

You've always made great videos but my God the production quality has skyrocketed in comparison to 2 years ago when I started watching you. You're an awesome resource, keep pumping out fun and informative content!!

[@barriedelaney2853]

Really enjoyed this one. Love the videos you’ve done with top 5 of something and then give substitutes. Always fascinates me around different country’s, states etc that have different roles around reptiles

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kylereynhart]

Happy that someone acknowledged the Super Dwarf reticulated python, they so cool, definitely gonna add one to my collection soon.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

they sure are amazing

[@stanleyyy427]

I’d love to have one, but they’re so expensive from what I’ve seen

[@Salmonidae_]

Here’s some others I think would fit the list too! Marine iguanas Japanese giant salamander (basically hellbender but it’s still different) Basically anything from the Galapagos (their land iguanas) Tuataras

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

true

[@Kronkgirl]

I've never heard of a red eye crocodile skink but now I need one. It's adorable! It looks like a mix of crocodile/pokemon/and dragon.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

they are amazing!

[@MalonzeProductionsGaming]

They have a high demand to keep alive. And they are terrified of people most of the time. But if you put the research and work in they are cute little dudes

[@ryancook4771]

I always love your obligatory amphibians lol. The hellbender was a very cool choice for this list 🤘🏼

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

they are such cool animals!

[@soullesshonky1707]

Another great video. I like these kinds. And i think your takes on these are pretty spot on. And i enjoy the longer videos.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Glad you like them!

[@leafystreet]

maybe solomon island ground or tree boas for a bromeliad boa substitute. I don't expect my ground boa to get very large and he loves being in his branches

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

good call!

[@BigBass-xf5yi]

Dumerills boas can get up to 7 or eight feet, are quite heavy bodied, extremely tame and mellow, and take the easiest craps to clean up. Such a wonderful good sized constrictor. Beautiful , charming, easy husbandry and easy to breed.

[@funpheonix9752]

I’d never, ever get a Komodo dragon. They look amazing and all, but they’re huge and their bite is really dangerous. I wouldn’t get one even if they were legal, no thanks. I love reptiles, but I don’t want to have a pet reptile that can kill me in a single bite. 😬

[@margaretkaraba8161]

I mean, they kill wild buffalos by biting them on the back leg and waiting for them to die from sepsis. Check out the BBC Earth channel on here - search "Deadly 60 komodo" it's a video section of a group of komodo in Indonesia following/chasing humans to food.

[@PhoenixWA80]

If you're in the US and visiting Mount Rushmore (Rapid City, SD), there's a great reptile zoo (Reptile Gardens) that not only keeps crocodilians, they have a komodo dragon! One of the highlights of my summer this year was a visit to this zoo. It was so good, we went twice! Once on our way east, and again on our way back home. Both visits were a thrill.

[@theeguy458]

Been waiting for this vid. Thanks Adam

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

really hope you enjoyed!

[@gage519]

adam your my fav reptile channel! i love all you do!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

oh thank you so much!

[@emmahallbacka]

I would like to add Xenopus Laevis on the list! African clawed frogs are AMAZING pet frogs, but in many parts of the world they are invasive and illegal to own. I would suggest the Xenopus Tropicalis instead. They are very similar in appearance, but a little more sensitive and require a warmer temperature, and are therefor not thriving in the same countries as the ACF. Check them out! :D

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

very true

[@brianorr308]

In the garter snake community one is the San Francisco garter snake. Very beautiful, but illegal to catch, keep (and even touch wild ones) in the USA due to them being on the endangered species list. Other countries such as Canada and many European countries it's legal to have captive bred offspring. A good alternative in the USA is a California red-sided garter snake. Similar looking colour patterns and keep. Lots being bred captive too so wild caught is not needed.

[@jamieshrubb6298]

Been waiting all day for a video and here it is nice!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hope you enjoy!

[@caust1k_244]

I just found your channel and subscribed, you create some great content! Great editing and music. Thank you.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Awesome, thank you!

[@NoTengoDinero69]

Damn government telling me I can't own an Indian Forest Cobra. Maybe I LIKE danger??

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hahhaa

[@gambitaku6179]

Great list , very informative

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thanks!

[@JohnSmith-ov5uj]

Was hoping I’d see tuataras on the list and a substitute, but idk what a substitute would be lol

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

no Ts this time

[@ManUtd57920]

Monday / Thursday can not come around quick enough when it comes to WWR Video uploads 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thanks so much! woooooo

[@PaleoAnalysis]

It's amazing and disturbing that the statement "Komodo Dragons are more than likely not a good pet for you" is a controversial one...

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

right!?

[@joerassicpark6160]

Awesome video! Bromeliad Boa look so cool and a bromeliad bioactive with bromeliads would be such an awesome set up.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

That would be cool!

[@sebastiangridin319]

keep up the great work bro

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Appreciate it!

[@patrickslaby69]

Here in New Jersey, it’s completely illegal to own both green and yellow anacondas, but as far as my own understanding and research, and I could be wrong, but burms, retics, and rock pythons are legal to keep, which puzzles me to no end! And boa constrictors don’t require a permit to own!

[@lilbill7385]

Why would anyone want an anaconda?

[@vanashreegeorge3038]

YOO your trip to costa rica was awesome loved it so much cool snakes I love the eye lash pit vipers such a good video love it great work Adam

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thank you very much!

[@renees766]

#4 Crocodile vs Red Eyed Crocodile Skink blew my mind! I'm like, heck no, I'd never get a Crocodile, but heck yeah, those little Red Eyed Crocodile Skinks are super cute!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

adorable eh

[@paulafernandes6875]

I just love Diamond always stalking your ear.....lol

[@partickthompson1164]

I just found your channel. Thanks for honest advice. I know how hard it is to tell people getting that dream pet might be a bad idea

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thanks so much for watching!

[@thekatt...]

Had a mud-puppy for many yrs. Found wild in northern Ontario. Got him from a buddy . It lived for around 10 yrs. Got pretty big . Amazing creatures. 🇨🇦

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

a buddy of mine just caught a couple ice fishing yesterday, wild

[@Ray-lw2rh]

Ive never been into reptiles, but after watching your vids. now i am. They're so cool

[@hunterivey]

I'll love to have me a Komodo Dragon, because they're my Dream reptiles to have, because I love monitors, but I still love my Mangrove Monitor, he's pretty cool.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

amazing!

[@stuartanderson1057]

Great job man! Always love your videos!

[@MissP7197]

Oh my goodness, those red-eyed crocodile skinks truly look like tiny dragons!!! Extremely beautiful👌🙏🏼

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@sinister2757]

Those croc skinks are so awesome but I hear their lifespan is really short kinda a deterrent for me

[@LoneLupine]

In Alaska where I live, wolfdogs (even super low contents,which are essentially dogs) are illegal, so are rats, and hedgehogs too until recently but for SOME REASON it is completely legal to keep an alligator... There was a pet shop when I was a kid that sold baby gators. As a kid, I thought they stayed small, but as an adult horrified to learn they grow to full size. Horrified because this is alligator abuse, because almost no one is set up to keep one, and oblivious people were just buying them cuz they were cute. I can't help but wonder what hapoened to all of them. The pet shop also had a full grown alligator in a too-small tank. I thought for sure this was a fever dream until I saw someone in a local ad selling gators and people rehoming them on craigslist. WTF. This is balls wild to me and I can't comprehend it Sorry for that tangent. Great video as always, I loved it! And also, the audible ad looked really professional. All it was missing was cheesy music. Thanks for not doing that, though

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

wow eh!

[@CandiceLemonSharks]

It's probably legal to keep an alligator because unlike Saskatchewan with its ball python ban, Alaska understands that if your pet alligator--or even your 47 pet alligators--get loose, they're not going to survive an Alaskan winter. Rats as an introduced species, on the other hand? Are freakin terrifying.

[@pyrovania]

California bans ferrets but has no problem with bengal or savannah cats. It has to do with ecological risk, I think. We have a lot of coyotes that keep the feral cat population down. The ferret ban is controversial. Alligators won't survive outside long in Alaska.

[@lizbecker1677]

Never believe the guy in the pet store who tells you the gator won't grow if you don't feed it everyday.

[@TFerrazzo72]

Your shot of the American Crocodiles, is that at the Tarcoles River in Western Costa Rica? We were there back in August. They were all basking on a tiny island just like that. I think the bridge is called "Crocodile Bridge." Awesome video, by the way!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

yep, exactly, we were there three weeks ago!

[@TFerrazzo72]

That's awesome. We went night herping in Manuel Antonio. Experience of a lifetime. Hope to see a video soon of the Pacific Coast!

[@arizonanabe6384]

Love the new lighting

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thank you so much!

[@Madchris8828]

I went to Costa Rica and saw an eyelash viper up close. The flora and fauna of that country is amazing, man.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

it really is!

[@lilaeckitties7524]

12:34 It's so people who already own them don't have to get rid of them. With the smoking one it's to not punish the kids, if they get caught smoking but also not encourage/endorse it.

[@stargazer1238]

Kimberly monitors are pretty awesome and like all monitors, exceptionally smart. Those and Akies are good choices for people looking for a smaller monitor. Before anyone jumps into monitors though just realize they can be challenging with heating and lighting and because they are so bright they really do need a really good amount of enrichment and time.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

100% agree!

[@SwissStrawberry]

Ackie Monitors deserve more love. they are awesome

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

100%

[@themotions5967]

I live in a area with eastern hellbenders, and I also have a friend who works in conservation who breeds them. I will say this even eastern hellbenders are still protected so Strictly in many palaces as they have a lot of endangered populations. Essentially while the population heavy areas have enough animals to not be considered critically threatened, some populations are on the brink and if we lose those populations it can cause a cascade effect due to a lack of genetic diversity within the species. Also even if private keepers could keep hellbenders not many would really want to. At least the eastern subspecies really needs very clean, and very pure cold and fairly fast moving water you do see them in a variety of habitats that don’t necessarily meet all of these conditions though. They are commonly found in pools, ponds, and mountain side estuaries However their primary habitats are rivers and larger streams These cold fast moving bodies of water are where the largest and healthiest specimens are found. The Tennessee aquarium (a non profit AZA aquarium) breeds these guys and The much more rare Ozark hellbender for release. The tanks they have them in are expensive setups that are used to mimic mountainside rivers and streams

[@gerrimilner9448]

my duughter worked at London zoo reptile house for some years, i had the privalige of meeting one of the komonos while visiting her, it was one of the most awsome moments in my life! they have had problems keeping them alive, they go off there food easily

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

that's very cool to know!

[@CricketsMa]

Good list, Adam, thanks!!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

My pleasure!

[@cckiller4378]

Instead of the first one I can also recommend the pacific ground boa, they do pretty well in captivity in my experience, are pretty small (usually around a meter), and are boas. I wouldn't really recommend them to complete beginners because they need a ton of humidity (not as much a something like a green tree python, but still around 80%) and because they tend to be pretty defensive, especially juveniles. But overall there pretty decent pet snakes, especially if you're willing to put work into handling them in which case they are usually extremely calm animals and can get as tame as a ball python.

[@JohnathonGonzales15]

You and Diamond are the best duo

[@donaldbarnard7349]

Subscribed because your a fellow Canadian also the info you gave in this video is a definite learning tool as I didn't know these were illegal for a someone to own as a house pet

[@gekkowizard93]

Speaking of the Komodo dragon have you heard about the clutch the Dallas zoo just successfully hatched. Can’t wait to be able to go see the babies they are sooo cute.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I had not heard that but such great news!

[@davidrule6828]

In SC, you can definitely have any croc born within state lines but you have to have an educational possession permit for an alligator.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

interesting!

[@carinachristel8563]

Lol I just read that Wisconsin really doesn't have any restrictions on exotic animals.... the list in my head in growing longer and longer lol, starting with an Egyptian tortoise. I love my torts

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

yep!

[@RealJRoyall]

My man filmed a whole commercial 💀💀 This is not a diss, it was actually a fire ad lol.

[@capybårā-w3o]

Today I picked up my bearded dragon for the first time I watched a ton of your videos on bearded dragons and you have helped tons with my little pal thanks very much!

[@Umbreonite434]

I love crocodile skink shoutouts. Literally my favorite animal since I found out about it LOL

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

they are so amazing!

[@chandlerstastny8092]

For number 4, I would mention Caiman Lizards. Got two that I work with at my museum and they definitely look and act like crocodilians.

[@eyelovelamp1]

I didn’t purchase it, but I did once see a bromeliad boa for sale on MorphMarket.

[@adelheide1005]

There's a term in psychology called Reactance. It's when you say something and the other person does the exact opposite. So by uploading this video and saying people can't or shouldn't own these reptiles, I'm willing to bet there are some viewers who will research on how to obtain said animals.

[@marypenebaker898]

Reading comments before I wrote. I agree with you and I think this video is irresponsible. The man in the video seems to be completely dismissive as well as an educated about invasive species and the results and the devastation. He seems to be under the impression that we care about the owner that gets killed or injured because they were irresponsible reptile owners. It doesn't matter if you have a zoo that is allowed to own and display some of these reptiles. There is nothing responsible when you cannot predict the end result of the devastation it will bring by being introduced into a new habitat. Force majeure is reason enough to not be able to import or own one of these devastating species.

[@DMOptionalboss]

You forgot Galapagos tortoises. I know some keepers, mostly just two, but in both cases the animals were already in the US before the ban and they were gifted and kept in terrific condition. Case in point Kenan of Kamp Kenan. Totally legal for him, very illegal for pretty much anyone else. Also, alternate monitors... I would never suggest anyone get a monitor that wasn't an ackie or a little tree monitor like the emerald green and blue tree monitors. First, it's about relationships. Monitors tend to get... cranky in juvenile ages and that impression they get of their keepers, or humans in general, can stick. Monitors are smart and they have quite a good memory. Keeping these wild critters is already tough, but things like croc monitors don't really get over that teen angst. Also, croc monitors have teeth that can absolutely kill somebody. They have the biggest teeth among varanids, period and they aren't afraid to bite something they don't like... well, when they're smaller. The adult animals are much calmer, but there's a level of respect and repertoire needed with such an animal or anything like them. They are really unique creatures. If the cost of a monitor is really the only reason you won't keep one, you don't need one. Especially river monitors. You need basically a designated room in your house as an enclosure and it needs a water feature. Really... just get a tegu. Probably a green one or a banded one if you live in Florida because the black and white Argentine tegus we all love are banned here. The state seems to think they are an invasive species. They are not, actually. The number of the lizards has been blown out of proportion. Definitely they need to be caught and relocated, but it's nothing like the Burmese python invasion. Our friend Chandler uses humanely culled Burmese pythons as food for his king cobras. Oh yeah... and a king cobra is the most illegal snake in the world to own. You'd think black mamba, but those aren't widely kept.

[@Aidanjacksonkightly_reptiles]

A good one is the Oenpelli python. Only a few are in captivity across the world and all of them are in zoos as part of conservation programs (to my understanding at least). The perfect replacement is a Bredli carpet python, they look very similar though a little bit smaller, and make decent pets.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

amazing snakes and so rare

[@lilsprugga]

I am going to check out the Red Eyed Crocodile skink. WOW, what a beauty.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

wicked!

[@nerodia]

If you want a small common boa, don't just go by locality. Hog Island boas really aren't much smaller than the rest of Central America's common boas, but generally are smaller than Colombian ones. What you do is, when arranging the purchase, ask the breeder to see photos of the parents and ask their length. Size runs in the family, if a boa's father and mother are under 5ft you can be as sure as it's possible to be that the one you're getting will stay that small. Pose it as a question of curiosity to avoid the occasional immoral seller who'd lie to get a sale, and if a breeder isn't willing to give photos and information about an animal's parents that's a breeder to avoid. It's held true for my four boas, all of which are over 4 years old and under 4 feet long. One's under 3ft, and both his parents are under 4ft at 10 years old. He's tiny. Smaller localities are a thing, but lineage is much more reliable as a predictor of adult size than simply where the boa's wild ancestors came from.

[@KimberDillon4]

I really dig your "replacement" videos...keep up the great work!

[@Repti-verse]

I will say that yellow anacondas only really average 7-8 feet with males being smaller. The largest yellow I have ever seen was 10 feet long. So it worked for me where in my state you need permits for certain constrictors that are over 12’ but you don’t need the permit for them until they get that long. Which yellow anacondas basically never do. The largest yellow ever recorded was 13’.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

and such good attitudes on em, hahaha

[@KarlyNakashima]

Candoia carinata would probably be a good alternative to the bromeliad boa. Also, I live in Japan. Here, various python species as well as the entire genus boa are effectively illegal. You need a permit to keep them and they stopped giving permits to private collectors in 2020. The restricted python list is pretty random though, and the only modes of the pet trade are “illegal” or “completely unregulated.”

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

amazing animals, I'll have to heck if they are available in Canada

[@seanf5760]

Another good substitute if you want a large snake but you're prohibited from anacondas, retics or boas... another option is the amethystine python (common name being the Australian scrub python). Just keep in mind they have the feeding drive of a carpet python, just twice the physical size of your average carpet in most cases.

[@salteddragons3946]

I think a better replacement for crocodilians would actually be caiman lizards. They aren't super easy at all but are semi aquatic and large and much more reasonable than any crocodilian. Theyre like, semi-aquatic tegus. I feel like someone genuinely wanting to keep something like a croc but not a croc would enjoy a caiman lizard

[@timlangdon5923]

Hey, what about a moving guide? Just in general or if you're changing climate altogether. Say from the humid southeast to the dry southwest.

[@whisperingwooper1763]

I second this except the opposite the dryer northeast to the humid south

[@calewarner06]

Yes number 4 was a good one, thank you for this, all of your videos are great

[@alwaleedalthani9624]

I would have the Alligator Snapping Turtle on the list

[@cynthiadesmeules7359]

Love crocodile skinks. Definitely on my wish list. I just like skinks in general.

[@foodruraltv]

Wonderful video, Thanks for sharing. I’m new friend always like your video

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks for visiting!

[@TheChickwithguns]

I am fascinated by Ackie monitors. I worry a bit that they will behave like iguanas and be unpleasant to handle. I think ball pythons are a good substitute for all illegal reptiles.🤣 They are really good about not clawing you to death or eating you.🤣 That was a fun video. I live in Texas, and we seem to have relatively few laws about pet ownership. HOAs are nastier than the state is. I had to give up my mini potbelly pig who lived indoors years ago because of the HOA. I am no longer under an HOA so yay for freedom!

[@willc1510]

As far as big constrictors… would a blood python also fit the mold for an acceptable replacement?

[@CandiceLemonSharks]

Blood pythons are my favorite gaboon viper substitute. Although if they decide to poop attack you, you may *wish* you had just gotten the gaboon viper

[@mudusathehognose2905]

I think that the comodo dragon is totally number one and I love monitors I just can't ceep one. When I wake up in the mornings on Mondays or Thursdays I'm like yessss can't wait for Adam to post.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thank you so much!

[@richardcarriere6767]

Another WWR banger! I want a red eyed crocodile skink now ahah

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

enjoy! :)

[@abacus6034]

I love how Wickens actually takes the time out of his day to read the comments! Also, if your reading this, this might sound stupid, but what is your top 14 favorite reptiles?

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

any time! Top 14 eh? hmmm, maybe I need a video about that

[@casualobserver77]

Eastern Indigo... I live in FL Can't have em. Sucks cause I love them and would love to get one.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Florida has so many reptile laws

[@Bekz715]

Eastern Painted Turtles are illegal to buy/sell in Indiana. You can adopt them and have them as pets. You just can't buy them, breed them and then sell them. If you have any oops babies, you can rehome them as an adoption only. It's silly but whatever. Made adopting our babies super cheap. $20 for all 4 of them. Their enclosure, now that sucker cost over $1,000 to build. But they are happy turtles. It's also illegal to release them into the wild. If they are in your home for more than a day in water from your home, they cannot be released.

[@joeyvega8991]

Maybe as well for more experienced owners a good fill in for crocidilians could be a Caiman Lizard

[@Matt-dc8lp]

So many cool reptiles to choose from to make a top 5. Less common but still cool is the eastern Indigo snake with the black Mexican king as a good alternative.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

good call!

[@Utmus]

Crocodilians: *illegal in us and canada* Adam: “...So they are illegal basically everywhere*

[@themotions5967]

Well they are actually legal in a lot of the US with proper permits which are actually not a hassle to get especially if you actually are going into animal care or related fields

[@greenapple9477]

Those skinks are so cute! 😚 🦎 They're real life Pokemon! 🤣

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

100%

[@_Shay_]

Komodo dragons are freaking amazing One of my fondest memories as a kid was when I saw one at some zoo. He was a beefy boi easily 7 or more feet long. I just have no idea which zoo it was but it wasn’t the San Diego Zoo since they just got 2 this year.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

they sure are aamzing!

[@heydiahrea]

San Diego zoo has always had a Komodo dragon I can confirm used to see them on field trips they always had the largest enclosure in the reptile room. Maybe the one they had died and they got 2 more but there was always a dragon.