A bag - containing 15 green iguanas, and three sugar gliders, a squirrel-sized marsupial from Australia, in a plastic container - was also found hidden under the front passenger seat of the Malaysian-registered vehicle.

The cab was stopped at the Woodlands crossing on Tuesday during a routine check. The creatures would have been worth about $4,350 here.

The 23-year-old man, who admitted they belonged to him, was arrested by Customs officers. The cab's two other passengers were allowed to enter the country.

The officers also retrieved 12 packages of animal foodstuff and vitamin pills from the vehicle.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, which is investigating the case, said the man is likely to be prosecuted in court for trying to smuggle the creatures illegally.

If convicted, he can be fined up to $5,000 and/or be jailed for up to a year for importing the pythons and iguanas without a permit, under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, and fined up to $3,000 for possessing the sugar gliders without a licence under the Wild Animals and Birds Act.

The creatures have been donated to the Singapore Zoo.