Hsin-Yi Cohen The gharials (also called Indian gharial or ghavial) are one of the crocodilian-type reptiles and usually found in India. Although not normally kept as pets gharials are nevertheless mercilessly poached and hunted, while their habitats are being destroyed through human encroachment and pollution. It is not surprising, therefore, that they …
Baby caimans with their large, round eyes and gently smiling jaws, have become a popular feature in the pet trade with many people succumbing to their appeal and the persuasive pet store talk, without any real understanding of this reptile’s characteristics, needs or potential danger involved. Cute as they may …
There are few images as famous and familiar as that of a king cobra swaying menacingly in front of a snake charmer. To many, it represents the archetypal snake, with its raised hood, forked tongue and mesmerising movements. In fact, the king cobra is unique in many ways… A king …
Of all the reptiles, the spitting cobra is probably one of the most feared of all snakes – its infamous ability of spitting or spraying venom up to a distance of 10 feet is enough to give anyone nightmares and rightfully earns them a position as one of the deadliest …
Reptiles are a fascinating group of vertebrates with one of the longest histories of any living creature on Earth. First appearing over 300 million years ago, reptiles are believed to have descended from amphibians and during the course of their evolution, have produced many unique offshoots, the most famous being …
Snakes are many people’s greatest fear and being attacked by one their worst nightmare. While genuine unprovoked attacks by snakes are rare, it is still a good idea to know how to behave should you encounter a snake, especially an aggressive one. Do Snakes Attack Humans? Very rarely. Snakes are …
Turtles and tortoises have often featured in legends and folklore, as well as being the subject of several superstitions. For example, in Hindu mythology, black, soft-shelled turtles are believed to represent the souls of dead sinners, who have been transformed into reptiles by a 13th century saint. The Thais believe …
The short answer is “No.” While a mixed-species ecosystem is often seen in zoos and other institutions, this is not something that should be attempted by a hobbyist unless they are extremely experienced, with the resources needed to maintain and keep a mix-species terrarium – and certainly something that should …
Despite their differences from us, there are several diseases which can be transmitted from reptiles to humans and care must be taken when handling reptiles to prevent infection. Generally, with good sanitation and personal hygiene practices, as well as keeping reptile pets out of food preparation areas, the risks are …
Keeping your reptile healthy is one of the key duties of a reptile owner and it can also be one of the most challenging. Reptile health depends on a wide variety of factors all of which must be satisfied for the reptile to be free from stress and illness. As …
