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Live NZ price guide

Reptile & Amphibian Prices NZ

What reptiles and amphibians cost in New Zealand, pulled live from our 16 species profiles. New Zealand's rules are far stricter than Australia's or the UK's — the legal keeping list is short, and several species widely kept overseas cannot be lawfully sourced here at any price. Check legality before you check the price.

See also which reptiles are legal in NZ, banned and restricted exotic pets and aquarium fish prices.

Under $150

The more established species in NZ collections, where local captive breeding keeps supply steadier.

SpeciesNZ price range
Chinese Fire-bellied Newt$40 – $120 NZD from NZ herpetological breeders.
Japanese Fire-bellied Newt$50 – $150 NZD from NZ herpetological breeders.
Axolotl (Mexican Walking Fish)$80–$250 NZD depending on morph; wildtype cheaper, rare morphs (melanoid, golden albino) more expensive
Red-eared Slider Turtle$80–$200 NZD for hatchlings; adult turtles occasionally available from rehomers
Leopard GeckoNZD $100 - $400 (depending on morph and breeder)

$150 – $300

The mid-range: most commonly kept lizards sit here, with morph and age moving the price.

SpeciesNZ price range
Australian Water Dragon$150–$400 NZD; rarer than bearded dragons in NZ; ask specialist reptile breeders
Reeve's Turtle (Chinese Pond Turtle)$150 – $400 NZD from NZ herpetological breeders.
Box Turtle$200 – $600 NZD from NZ herpetological breeders.
Cunningham's Skink$200 – $600 NZD (relatively rare compared to Blue-tongued Skinks).
Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Snakeneck Turtle)$200 – $500 NZD from NZ reptile breeders.

$300 and up

Species with smaller NZ breeding populations. Expect waitlists, and expect to travel to collect.

SpeciesNZ price range
Bearded DragonNZD $300 - $800 for the animal itself, depending on age, morph, and breeder.
Greek Tortoise (Spur-thighed Tortoise)$300 – $800 NZD from licensed NZ reptile breeders.
Hermann's Tortoise$300–$800 NZD; less common in NZ than other reptiles; ask specialist breeders
Blue-tongued SkinkNZD $400 - $1000 (from legal NZ-born stock, prices can vary due to limited availability)

Not legally available in New Zealand

These species appear in overseas keeping guides but cannot be lawfully obtained in New Zealand — there is no legal source, so there is no legitimate price. If someone offers you one, walk away and check the species profile: buying it can expose you to prosecution under the Biosecurity Act or the Wildlife Act, and the animal is likely to have been smuggled.

Frequently asked questions

Which reptiles can you legally keep in New Zealand?

The legal list is short compared with Australia or the UK, and it is the first thing to check — not the price. Our guide to which reptiles are legal in NZ covers the current position species by species, and each species profile states its NZ status. Native reptiles are protected and cannot be taken from the wild or kept without authorisation.

Why do some species show no price at all?

Because they cannot be lawfully sourced in New Zealand. We deliberately do not publish a price for those species — quoting one would imply there is a legitimate way to buy them. They are listed separately above so you can recognise them if a seller offers one.

What does the purchase price leave out?

The enclosure and its heating and lighting usually cost more than the animal, and they are ongoing costs — UVB tubes need replacing on a schedule even when they still look lit. Add feeder insects or frozen food, and a vet who actually sees reptiles, which is not every clinic.

Is a reptile a good first pet?

They are lower-interaction than a dog or cat but not lower-effort: husbandry mistakes with temperature, humidity and UVB cause most health problems, and they show up slowly. Read the species profile's care requirements in full before committing — lifespans of 10–20 years are normal.

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