As Sydney’s biggest small animal specialist store and the only dedicated, licensed reptile dealer servicing the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South Sydney, we stock a solid range of invertebrates for sale in Sydney, from easy-care display animals to a great first step into keeping something beyond the usual cat, dog or fish. All our invertebrates come with a health guarantee.

What to Know Before Choosing a Pet Invertebrate

Invertebrates and insects are a different kind of pet to a mammal, bird or reptile. Most ask for very little day-to-day interaction and are chosen more as a fascinating display animal than something you handle regularly, though a few species tolerate gentle handling once settled. Every species still has its own specific housing, humidity and feeding needs, so it’s worth reading the individual care guide for whichever species catches your eye before you buy. One setup doesn’t suit them all. Lifespans vary enormously across the category too, from around 12 months for a stick insect through to well over a decade for some tarantulas and scorpions, so it’s worth checking how long a commitment you’re actually taking on. All the species we stock are native Australian invertebrates, so none of them require a licence to keep.

What invertebrates we have for sale in Sydney

Choosing the Right Invertebrate for You

If you’re brand new to invertebrates, stick insects and hermit crabs are the easiest place to start, since both are simple to house and forgiving of a beginner’s mistakes. Giant burrowing cockroaches are a similarly low-fuss option once you’re comfortable with the idea of keeping a cockroach as a pet, and make a great next step for anyone who’s kept a stick insect or hermit crab before. Tarantulas and scorpions suit keepers after a striking, hands-off display animal rather than something to interact with day to day, and both are a good fit for someone who already has some reptile or invertebrate keeping experience. Each species page linked above covers the specifics, so you know exactly what you’re setting up before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What invertebrates and insects does Birdsville have for sale?

We stock hermit crabs, tarantulas, giant burrowing cockroaches, scorpions and stick insects, all native Australian species suited to a display-style enclosure. Availability shifts with breeding and stock cycles, so it’s worth calling ahead or visiting in-store to see what’s currently available before making the trip in especially for one species.

Do I need a licence to keep an invertebrate in NSW?

No. Every invertebrate species we stock is native Australian wildlife that doesn’t require a licence to keep as a pet. That makes invertebrates a simple, paperwork-free way to get started with something a little different from the usual cat, dog or fish.

Which invertebrate is easiest to look after for a beginner?

Stick insects and hermit crabs are the two easiest starting points, both simple to house and forgiving if you’re still learning the ropes. Giant burrowing cockroaches aren’t far behind either, once you’re comfortable with the idea of keeping a cockroach as a display pet more than a hands-on one.

How long do pet invertebrates live?

It varies a lot by species. A stick insect typically lives around 12 months, while a giant burrowing cockroach or hermit crab can live for several years, and some tarantulas and scorpions live well over a decade with the right care. Check the individual species page for a more exact figure.

Some can, some really shouldn’t be. Hermit crabs and some tarantula species tolerate gentle, occasional handling once settled, while giant burrowing cockroaches and scorpions are best kept as hands-off display animals. Stick insects are delicate enough that minimal handling is the safest approach for the insect itself.

Are invertebrates suitable for a small apartment?

Very much so. Most invertebrates need only a modest enclosure, produce no noise, and don’t trigger the same allergy or dander concerns a furry or feathered pet can, making them one of the more apartment-friendly pets available. Just double check body corporate or rental rules before bringing one home.

Stock varies with breeding and season, but there’s almost always something from this list available in-store, along with everything you need to set one up properly. Come in and chat to our team about which invertebrate might suit you best.

684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015
Phone: (02) 9669 1766
Email: info@birdsville.net.au
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm