The Captive Care Guide to Healthy Ball Pythons (Python Regius)
Ball pythons are perhaps the most popular snakes bought at pet stores. They are relatively inexpensive, are beautifully marked, have a friendly disposition, and generally do not grow to more than four feet in length. As pets, they generally grow about a foot a year during their first 3–4 years. They can easily be identified […]
Bearded Dragon Care Guide
Bearded Dragons Natural History Australian Bearded Dragons (Pagonna Sp.) are old world agamids. They get their name from their spiny throat and the ability to display it when threatened. The main bearded dragon in the pet trade is the Inland Bearded Dragon (Pagonna vitticeps). Other species less common are Lawson’s dragon (Pagonna henrylawsoni) and common […]
Blue-Tongued Skink Care
Natural History The blue-tongued skinks are a group of aptly named diurnal, active during day, omnivorous, eating both plant and animal matter, and long-lived lizard that inhabits a wide range of habitats in Australia, New Guinea, and the island of Tasmania. These beautifully distinctive lizards are known for their excellent personalities, hardiness, and uniqueness. Most […]
Captive Care of the Boa Constrictor
Husbandry Boas should be housed individually, except during breeding attempts. Enclosures for juvenile boas should be at least 61 cm, or 24 inches, long and 38 to 61 cm, or 15 to 24 inches, high. Adult boas should be housed in enclosures at least 1.8 m, or 6 feet, long, 61 cm, or 24 inches, […]
Box Turtle Care
Box turtles are one of the best reptiles to keep for beginners, especially as adults. If these animals are given the proper care, they can live essentially the lifespan of a human being. Box turtles can live 40–50 years, with some reaching 100. Box turtles are named “Box” due to the hinged front undershell, or […]
Burmese Python Care
Basic Information The Burmese Python, Python molurus bivittatus, is one of the giant pythons and is native to areas of Southeast Asia, such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Burma. It can live up to 25 years and can exceed 20 feet in length and 200 pounds in weight. The Burmese Python is a diurnal rainforest […]
Chinese Water Dragon Care
Water dragons are native to Southeast Asia and Australia. They typically live 10–15 years and can grow up to three feet long, counting the tail. Males have larger heads, prominent jowls, and a larger crest on the back of the neck than females. Water dragons are diurnal, active during the day, and semi-arboreal. Water dragons […]
Care of the Corn Snake — Elaphe guttata
With 50 or more different color and pattern varieties currently bred in captivity, the corn snake is a favorite among reptile hobbyists and herpetoculturists. Its moderate size, 30–48 inches at maturity, gentle disposition, and ease of care make the corn snake well suited for the beginner and expert alike. The corn snake, E. g. guttata, […]
Desert Tortoise Care
The Desert Tortoise, Gopherus morafkai and agassizii, is endangered in the wild and protected by both federal and state laws. These tortoises can be adopted if they are captive born. Wild tortoises should remain in the wild, unless severely injured or ill. If an owner is keeping a tortoise without proper permits, he or she […]
Desert Tortoise Hibernation
October/November is usually the time that tortoises become more sluggish, eat less, and bask less. A suitable hibernation place needs to be provided. An insulated doghouse with dry soil on the floor and a tarped entrance works well. The doghouse or natural burrow should be kept in a non-flood zone area. Some keepers prefer to […]
