Reptiles & Amphibians

Silkworms have been a choice of pet for children for a long time. They are easy to care for and the phases of their life are intriguing to watch. This article should provide enough information to decide if this is a suitable pet.

Salamanders and newts are the most popular pet in the world, but they are an interesting pet. These guys typically do best with high humidity and both land and water enclosures (except for the axolotl, which is solely aquatic), or at least a large...

It all started a year and a half ago in late October when my brother and his friend went to our local lake and witnessed newborn turtles popping up from the ground, heading for the lake's shore. My brother and his friend also took witness to the...

Say hello to one of the most difficult tortoise species to breed. There's no fighting nature on this one, but when the little ones hatch, the moment will be worth every sacrifice.

Land hermit crabs require more care than you might realize or have been told, however, they make wonderful and fascinating pets if you are prepared to give them the care they need to thrive.

This hub includes pictures, quick facts, and a summary of 14 different kinds of boas and pythons.

This article will tell you everything you need to know before you get your new tortoise!

Here are some options for people who wish to keep snakes as pets but find feeding frozen and thawed rodents and other mammals unappealing.

Different types of lizards have different living environment requirements. Before you get your pet lizard, it is important that you make a proper home for him first.

How to tackle common parental objections to keeping pet lizards such as we don't want crickets living in the house and who will look after it when we go on holiday.

This beginner's guide will help lay down the foundation that is needed for owning a bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are arguably one of the easiest lizards to care for as a pet.

This care sheet teaches the basics of caring for a pet pacman (ornate horned) frog.

Building a salamander vivarium can be a rewarding experience. Similar to aquariums, terrariums and aquascaping, it enables you to engage in something akin to world-building. The home you provide for your salamander or other reptile can serve as an artistic outlet, which is why you should take the time to do it right - and have fun!

There are different creative ways of setting up an aquarium for a baby softshell turtle. Here are the basic needs that must be included. Adequate space (at least a 20 gallon tank) UVB lighting Good filtration system Dechlorinated water A shallow...

A discussion about where to buy iguana cages commercially and the most appropriate designs.

While land hermit crabs are not the most difficult pet to own, they do require more care than you may know in order to thrive.

Teaching yourself to determine the sex of your Leopard tortoise can seem impossible in the beginning. The good news is that once you get the hang of reading the signs, you'll never forget them.

You'll find a list of over 150 names to choose from for your new lizard.

With so many pet reptiles to choose from, how do you know which is the right pet for you? This article summarizes the top six reptiles species that are best for beginners.

Although, I have had reptiles for years and have successfully bred them, which started as an accident, but either way, I never really considered breeding for anything but my own enjoyment and pets. I either kept what I bred or gave the hatchlings to...

Corn snakes make one of the best pets. These docile and tame snakes are very friendly and tolerant and will make a great addition in any home. If you are considering a pet snake, buy a corn snake!

How to choose a substrate for land hermit crabs. Information about setting up your crabitat and choosing the right kind an amount of substrates for your tank.

Ball pythons are small, beautiful, docile, and are highly recommended for a first-time snake owner. This article looks into where to buy one and what to look for in a healthy snake.

Turtles are cute pets to own, unfortunately, very few people know how to care for them. If you wish to polish your turtle parenting skills, have a look at this guide.

This article explains the main differences between African fat-tails and leopard geckos. I also break down information about how to care for them, their temperaments, and their physical differences.

A discussion on offering canned whole prey such as insects, fish, and crustaceans for pet keepers. This article discusses the benefits and potential issues of using can-o-worms, crickets, and others.

Extra care should be given to a molting hermit crab when the time comes and there are many theories on how best to assist them. Unfortunately, some beginner crab owners don't quite know what to do when the hermit crab molts...

Corn snakes are fairly easy to care for and have been selectively domesticated. They are docile when handled regularly and are a pleasure to look at.

Warning: Every species of centipede contains some sort of venom. The Vietnamese Centipede is notorious for inflicting an extremely painful bite that can result in intense pain, nausea, and more.

Learn the most common reasons your gecko won’t eat and how you can get them to eat again!

Triops australiensis and Triops longicaudatus are commonly sold as pets. Triops are considered living fossils as they existed over 300 million years ago.

In my 5 years of working with leopard geckos, I have never had a leopard gecko drop its tail, until this year. While changing my leopard gecko hatchlings from my old rack to my new one, one of my tangerine leopard gecko hatchlings dropped her tail. ...

I am going to talk about two things in this article: the sufficient outdoor setup for pet turtles and reasons why you should and should not do it. The latter seems contradicting, but I do not want people to attempt this if they are not going to...

Bearded dragons make amazing pets for adults and children, and breeding them is relatively easy if you get a few key points correct, such as temperature and lighting.

Hermit crabs are one of the most misunderstood animals int he pet trade. Myths and improper husbandry advice abound, but have no fear: this guide will help you sift through all the false information.

Example of the set-up. The aquarium is sitting on a heating pad, a thermometer is placed at the water level, and there's a little cave for him to hide under from the UVB light above. Your turtle is acting strange. Bubbles keep foaming around his...

Sulcata tortoises are not the right pet for everyone. Please read and consider what a lifelong commitment raising a tortoise can be.

Praying mantids make beautiful and fascinating pets. In their behavior and mannerisms, they remind me something of uncuddly cats - fastidiously clean, curious, and predatory. Unlike cats, you can't really pet them; however, you also don't have to...

The basics to caring for the species of frog commonly known as "Pacman Frogs," otherwise known by the scientific name of "C. Cranwelli."

Many owners become concerned when they notice bubbles or liquid seeping from their pet's nose. A healthy tortoise should have clear and dry nostrils, but not every snotty case is a cause for panic.

Learn how to properly take care of a baby snapping turtle here, including tips on how to create a comfortable habitat, how and what to feed, and how to help your turtle live long and grow large!

Turtles and tortoises can make great pets, but they are not easy to care for. Here's my list of the top ten things people overlook when considering purchasing one of these pets.

Black widow spiders are great pets for the responsible adult looking to have a unique animal be a part of their family. They require very little care and are downright fascinating!

If the Ninja Turtles are cool enough to have awesome turtle names, then your pet turtle should have an awesome name! Here are 40 name ideas to get you thinking!

How to tell whether your African dwarf frog is dying, and what steps you may be able to take.

Whether you're just getting started with beekeeping or you're ready to try a new hive style, here's the lowdown on Langstroth's, Warre, and top bar hives from an experienced homesteader.

Native toads can be collected from the wild and easily kept as pets. Below is a description of how to set up an enclosure to house wild toads and some general considerations about keeping them.

This article explains in detail the many fascinating and interesting facts about huge, hairy 'spiders' called tarantulas (theraphosidae). This topic of tarantulas also known as spiders (even though they're not true spiders as explained in The...

Your kid is begging you for a pet turtle, but is it really a good idea? This is what you need to know to determine if getting a pet turtle is the right decision for your child.

Intelligent, affectionate, easy to care for, and with a long lifespan--what more could you want? The Tegu is the lizard you are looking for.

Baby sulcata tortoises require a lot of special care, from lighting requirements to temperature and humidity. Taking care of a baby tortoise is not as easy as it looks.

Out of all the crayfish available in the pet market, Cajun Dwarf crayfish (Cambarellus shufeldtii) are the most adorable because of their miniature size. I have kept and successfully bred Cajuns for the last year and a half, and will explain what I...

Facts and care information relating to corn snakes. This introduction would be useful to anyone who is thinking of having a corn snake as a pet or for beginner corn snake owners.

Many people are puzzled about the nuances of reptile care in the same way that people are confused about basic dog and cat related topics. Here is a list of reptile-related questions that I have received in the past, which may be helpful to some readers seeking advice about their little companions.

Learn about how leopard geckos shed, possible shedding problems and tail loss in order to raise a healthy leopard gecko.

Sulcata tortoises need a home weather they are inside or outside. Here are some easy and affordable ways to provide your tortoise with a safe and cozy tortoise shelter.

This is my red-eared slider, and, yes, his name is Puppy. So I think every kid goes through a phase where they want a turtle. I myself did. I had three. My first turtle, Squirtle, ended up being a complete disaster because I had no idea what I...

Learn about the basics of setting up a safe home for your leopard gecko!

Snakes can make fascinating pets, but you must choose your first pet snake very carefully! This guide should give you sufficient information about common first pet snakes to help you to make an educated decision!

Learn more about normal and abnormal dragon behavior and the most common diseases, symptoms and how to prevent them and treat them. This covers MBD, Mouth Rot, Parasites and more.

Here are the factors that you need to consider when selecting a pet from the many different gecko species available.

Red-Footed Tortoises are usually pretty healthy as long as they're diet and habitat is kept proper. As long as the humidity, temperature, lighting, and diet is kept according to proper requirements, they'll stay pretty healthy.

Phelsuma day geckos are omnivorous. In the wild, they eat insects, but also lick the sweet nectar of flowers. How can you reproduce this in captivity?

Do you plan on keeping a turtle you found outdoors? While most wild turtles don't make good pets, keeping one is possible if you provide the proper habitat, lighting and overall care.

Leopard Geckos make great pets for both the experienced and the inexperienced herp pet owners. If you're reading this you are probably about to purchase a leopard gecko or have already purchased one. You may even be an experienced reptile owner...

A guide to choosing the best shells for your hermit crabs. Shells too small or too large are uncomfortable for the crab, so it is important to provide your hermit crabs with a variety of shells. Painted shells are dangerous.

A basic guide to caring for the Jerusalem cricket or "Child of the Earth" bug.

Learn about the importance of UV light, calcium, and vitamin D for the health of your reptile.

The red-eared slider turtle is a fantastic pet. Here you can find everything you need to know about this turtle's diet, tank setup, and general maintenance requirements.

Snakes are fascinating creatures to watch but some make better pets than others - especially for children. Here are the best types of snake for beginners and kids:

I am going over a handful of incorrect ideas about turtles as pets. False Notion #1 A turtle is a turtle; they all have the same basic needs. It is true that all species of aquatic turtles require UV-B radiation and need to live in an aquatic...

Turtles and tortoises can be such a joy for children and adults. Some are very friendly and personable, which make them that much more fun to have as pets, but the problem lies with proper care and long lifespan. Turtles and tortoises have rather...

When it comes to choosing a pet frog, you'll find that there are many different options to choose from, but not all of them are ideal for beginners. First off, yea dart frogs may be brightly colored and visually attracting, but they are one of the...

The world of phasmids is unique and wonderful, and these fascinating insects are growing in popularity in the pet trade. Learn more about these beautiful bugs and take a look at a few of the most memorable species as you consider a simple phasmid for your next pet!

Symptoms and treatment of some common diseases of pet snakes, including blister disease, constipation, mites and ticks, shedding problems, and stomatitis.

Come explore what a beekeeper does when spring is here. Learn how the beekeeper sets the foundation for a fruitful harvest and prepares the bees for the rest of the year.

Leopard Geckos have been fed mealworms for many years. Though crickets are a common staple, are mealworms acceptable as a exclusive food source?

Welcome your new baby reptile home the safe way. The tiny wonder needs a happy trip, cosy palace and good care.

Turtles eat a variety of plants and animals. Identify what type of turtle you have in order to best determine the type of food it will eat. Start with figuring out your turtle's natural environment.

For those of you who are interested or already have obtained a baby soft shell turtle, I would like to share my information. For the past fifteen months, I have raised an eastern spiny soft shell turtle since the day it hatched. I have...

Discusses the questions: Is it feasible to use lizards for bug/pest control? Are people doing it by choice, or by circumstance?

An overview of simple, common-sense care for box turtles as pets or backyard denizens.

There's more to hermit crabs than just giving them a cage and a sponge. This article will go over the basics of providing your hermit crab with a happy home that meets their needs.

General care and husbandry of tarantulas as exotic pets.

A guide on the basics of owning African dwarf frogs.

Bioactive enclosures are increasing in popularity among reptile and amphibian keeping communities. These setups are made up of living plants and invertebrates that purify and clean enclosures.

Explains how to tame your snake or lizard--forget everything you've ever been told.

Reptiles can be wonderful pets but not all species are good for beginners. Many grow too large, are aggressive, or require very specific and complicated care. Beginners should avoid these reptiles!

The giant waxy monkey frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor, is a fascinating large tree frog with a very striking appearance. I've kept them as pets for over 8 years and share my tips on caring for them.

There are several types of geckos that are commonly kept as pets. These include the very popular leopard geckos, the funny looking crested gecko, brilliantly coloured day geckos and the stunning electric blue gecko.

A comprehensive list of reptiles you can keep as pets that only eat plants or will accept non-living, meaty foods as a substitute for live prey.

The equipment I use for setting up terrariums for my Phelsuma klemmeri and cepediana day geckos.

Caught vs bought, which turtle is for you? Normally when people decide they want a pet turtle, they don't grab a net, go to their local pond and wait to catch one. No, most people who decide they want a turtle as a pet go to the pet-store....

A hub on slugs, their characteristics and facts. Also tells you how to care for your slug if you wish to have one as a pet. Kids will be interested, but care has to be taken to maintain all health precautions for the kids and the slug!

Taking a peak into the exciting world of pet green iguanas. Includes key facts, original pictures of a domestic iguana in action, and links to additional resources.

Whether you are wanting to introduce some tadpoles to an outdoor pond, have a fun indoor project, or educate your kids, rearing tadpoles and watching their development is fascinating!

These pet snakes are great for those new to snake care and who prefer snakes that are small in size.