The reptiles were later handed over to Forest authorities.
Habeeb, a 44-year old native of Ramanathapuram district had arrived here from Kuala Lumpur in a Malaysian Airlies flight early this morning.
During the routine baggage check, shocked customs officials found snakes, white rats and lizards (Onan in Tamil) -- four in each of the species.
Habeeb told customs officials he had brought them to "rear the species at home."
He has been detained for questioning.