Reptiles & Amphibians

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!

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.

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...

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!

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...

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.

A simple step-by-step instruction sheet on how to set up a plastic tub setup for a ball python or other similarly sized snake.

How to catch a blue-belly lizard with a grass loop.

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

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.

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.

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!

A guide on the basics of owning African dwarf frogs.

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.

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...

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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.

There are many ways to house your Leopard Gecko. This article explains how to use tubs properly and offers advice on basic husbandry and care requirements to keep your gecko happy.

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

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.

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...

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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?

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

Russian tortoises are great beginner pet tortoises, as they are healthy and hardy creatures. These tortoises are relatively small compared to others in the pet market. The most important thing that you can do to keep a tortoise healthy is to...

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:

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.

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...

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...

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

General care and husbandry of tarantulas as exotic pets.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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. ...

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

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...

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...

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

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...

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

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.

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...

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.

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

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.

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

Horned frogs are generally pretty healthy, but like all animals they can develop illness and get sick. If you are careful of where your purchase your frog, what you feed it, and how you house it, you'll find that in captivity ornate frogs will stay...

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

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!

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!

Red Foot 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, you'll find that a pet Red Footed Tortoise is going...

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.

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!

Day geckos are brilliantly-colored, small-to-medium sized lizards that make excellent pets. They can be kept in small apartments, and don't mind being left alone for most of the day.

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...

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

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.