The EU’s Positive List for Exotics
Controversially, there have been discussions in Europe about the use of positive lists for animals kept as pets. This could potentially affect many different animals that are commonly kept in captivity, including exotic animals.
But what actually is a positive list?
A positive list is basically a list of animal species that are considered suitable to be kept as pets. Instead of creating a list of animals that people are not allowed to keep, a positive list works the other way around. Species that meet certain requirements are placed on the list and can be kept, while species that are not included could potentially be restricted.
In this blog, I will be looking at some of the arguments around positive lists and what they could mean for exotic animal keepers.
Before I get into anything, this blog is not meant to persuade anyone or push my personal opinion. I want to look at some of the possible advantages and disadvantages so that readers can make up their own minds.
What counts as an exotic animal?
When people hear the term exotic pet, they might immediately think about reptiles such as snakes and lizards. However, exotic pets can include a much wider variety of animals, including amphibians, birds and some mammals.
This means that decisions about which species are suitable to be kept could potentially affect many different types of pet owner.
Examples of an exotic animal commonly kept in captivity include Iguanas
Exotic animals can include reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. Different species can have very different husbandry and welfare requirements. I’m standing on the left in the grey jumper with Zilla (left) and Blue (middle). My friends Oscar and Louis are on the right.
One of the difficulties is that exotic animals are incredibly varied. The needs of a small gecko, for example, are very different from the needs of a large monitor lizard. This could make deciding whether an entire species is suitable for captivity quite complicated.
Reptile keepers need to design enclosures with specialist husbandry equipment
Reptiles need specialist care including controlled temperatures, humidity, UV lighting, an appropriate diet and a suitable enclosure. DIY skills are needed to create these habitats.
Why introduce a positive list?
One argument in favour of positive lists is animal welfare.
Some exotic species have very specialist requirements involving things such as temperature, humidity, diet, UV lighting and enclosure size. If these needs are not understood or provided correctly, the animal's welfare could suffer. Many animals also need enrichment, which can include access to a safe, natural and outdoor space. Not everyone can do that.
Nala the Bearded Dragon for outdoor enrichment
Animal welfare is one of the main issues in the positive-list debate. Owners need the knowledge, equipment, resources and space to meet the needs of the species they keep.
A positive list could therefore potentially prevent species that are considered extremely difficult to care for from being sold or kept by people who cannot meet their needs.
There could also be concerns about public safety or the effect that escaped non-native animals might have on the environment.
These seem like reasonable things to consider when deciding whether an animal is suitable to be kept as a pet.
What are some of the concerns?
Positive lists have also caused controversy amongst some exotic animal keepers.
One concern is how the decisions would be made. There are thousands of different species that can be kept in captivity, and they all have different requirements. There would need to be enough scientific evidence to decide which animals should be included.
There is also the question of what happens when knowledge about a species changes. Husbandry is constantly developing as we learn more about animal behaviour, nutrition and welfare.
Another concern is what would happen to animals that people already own if their species was not included on a positive list.
Would owners be allowed to keep their existing animals? Would they be allowed to breed them? What would happen to animals already in rescue centres or zoological collections? Would a vet be allowed to treat sick animals?
These are some of the questions that I think would need clear answers.
In America, in some states where reptiles are banned, a vet could lose their job if they treated a sick reptile that was unwell.
Could it affect conservation?
Another area I think is interesting is conservation.
Some threatened species are kept and bred successfully in captivity. Captive breeding can sometimes help maintain populations of animals outside of the wild and increase our knowledge about their biology and reproduction.
However, this does not automatically mean that keeping an endangered species as a pet helps conservation. Wild populations can also be threatened by animals being collected illegally for the pet trade.
This makes conservation another complicated part of the debate.
Goldfinger a golden mantella frog
Golden mantellas are critically endangered in the wild, making captive populations particularly important, so we encourage them to breed at The Reptile Academy. You can read more about some of our new animals in my other blog called New Animals at The Reptile Academy!
What do I think?
As someone who has experience working with exotic animals, I can understand some of the reasons why people might support a positive list. Animal welfare is extremely important and people should not keep animals if they cannot provide for their needs.
However, I can also understand why exotic animal keepers may be concerned about how species would be assessed and whether decisions would be based on enough evidence.
For me, the biggest issue is that different species have very different needs. I think any decisions about whether an animal is suitable to be kept should be based on good evidence about that particular species.
At the moment, I still do not think I have enough information to say that positive lists are either completely good or completely bad.
Researching the subject has actually given me more questions!
I think it is important that animal welfare, conservation, public safety and the experiences of responsible animal keepers are all considered when decisions like this are made.
If you are interested in the subject, I would recommend doing some research yourself and looking at arguments from different sides before deciding what you think.
Blog by Caoimhin D’Errico
Student at The Reptile Academy
Keywords
Positive list
A list of species that are permitted to be kept. Species not included on the list may be restricted.
Exotic animal
An animal that is not normally considered a traditional domesticated pet. The term can include many reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.
Animal welfare
The physical and mental wellbeing of an animal and whether its needs are being properly met.
Husbandry
The care and management of animals, including their housing, diet, environment and general health.
Species
A group of living organisms that share similar characteristics and can normally reproduce with one another.
Captive breeding
The breeding of animals that are being cared for in captivity rather than living freely in the wild.
Conservation
The protection of species, habitats and the natural environment.
Non-native species
A species found somewhere outside of its natural geographical range.
Public safety
Protecting people from possible risks or harm.
Evidence
Information or research that can be used to support or challenge an idea or decision.
Critically endangered
A conservation classification indicating that a species faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
References and Further Reading
I used the following sources to check information for this blog and to understand some of the different arguments about positive lists.
Eurogroup for Animals & AAP EU Positive List White Paper (2023) Eurogroup for Animals
Eurogroup for Animals What’s a Positive List for pets? (2025) Eurogroup for Animals
Eurogroup for Animals & AAP EU-wide Positive List: Extended Briefing (2026) Eurogroup for Animals
GOV.UK Invasive Non-native Species GOV.UK
Responsible Reptile Keeping (RRK) Positive Lists Responsible Reptile Keeping
Responsible Reptile Keeping The Last Reptile Keepers? Positive Lists Don't Work Responsible Reptile Keeping
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