Over recent years, reptile keeping has developed from something of a minority interest among a small number of dedicated fans to represent a large and growing part of the mainstream pet industry.Success with these animals goes hand-in-hand with a good understanding of their general biology and particular needs - which is where this site comes into its own.
With over 300 million years of history behind them, it’s hardly surprising that reptiles have a few unexpected secrets tucked away and today’s versions are every bit as intriguing as any of their prehistoric forebears. Sixty million years on from the extinction of the dinosaurs, reptiles still occupy just about …
With all the advances over recent years in heaters, lighting tubes, bulbs and controllers, it’s never been easier to create an ideal environment for your pet. Never-the-less, with so many excellent products on the market, it can sometimes be a little difficult to know how best to go about doing …
Nothing seems to provoke quite such discussion amongst reptile fans and reptile haters alike as snakes and their venom. Admit to liking reptiles and it’s only going to be a matter of time before someone brings the conversation round to venomous snakes. As reptile lovers, we can scarcely be surprised; …
The answer to your question really depends on the type of set up you’re using. If the heat lamp is the sole source of warmth, it wouldn’t be advisable to switch it off – no matter how much he seems to favour the cool end. However, assuming you have other …
Well, that rather depends on your point of view! Although it’s impossible to be 100 per cent sure from a distance, it sounds like perfectly normal behaviour – but for a true pair of tortoises, rather than a couple of females (though I suppose all things are possible). If what …
The growing success of captive breeding, particularly amongst a dedicated group of sand boa enthusiasts, means that these fascinating and unusual snakes are now becoming much more frequently seen on dealers lists and even in specialist pet shops than ever before. There are many things that they are not; they’re …
Southeast Asia’a Tokay (Gekko gecko) is one of the largest of the world’s gecko species, only beaten into second place by the Leachies Giant Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus) of New Caledonia. A real ‘bruiser’ of a gecko, it is important to say at the outset that the Tokay is only suited …
The first reptiles appeared back in the Carboniferous period – around 250 million years ago – and in the intervening time, they have experimented with some truly bizarre modifications of what you might call the typical lizard shape. Inevitably, most of the truly spectacular examples occurred during the Great Age …
When it comes to mating rituals, reptiles probably aren’t the first group that comes to mind. After all, the spectacular songs and bright plumage of many kinds of birds do take a lot of beating – while courtship calls and displays can even be found amongst some of the frogs …
The Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) has long been a popular pet with reptile keepers. Its characteristically docile nature, uncomplicated demands and relatively modest size make this native of the southern states of the USA an ideal candidate – and it seems to respond well to captivity, with a life expectancy …
