Pick a species below. Each care sheet covers enclosure size, heating, UVB lighting, humidity, substrate, feeding and the most common mistakes new keepers make.
Crested gecko care
Complete crested gecko care sheet: enclosure size, ideal temperature and humidity, lighting, substrate, diet and common mistakes, in one beginner-friendly guide.
Leopard gecko care
Leopard gecko care sheet covering tank size, basking and cool-side temperatures, UVB, substrate, feeding schedule, supplements and common mistakes.
Bearded dragon care
Bearded dragon care sheet: 4x2x2 enclosure, basking temperatures, T5 UVB setup, juvenile vs adult diet, supplements, brumation and common mistakes.
Ball python care
Ball python care sheet: enclosure size, warm and cool side temperatures, humidity, hides, feeding schedule by age, shedding and why ball pythons refuse food.
Corn snake care
Corn snake care sheet: enclosure size, temperature gradient, humidity, substrate, feeding schedule by age, handling and common beginner mistakes.
Ackie monitor care
Ackie monitor (Varanus acanthurus) care sheet: 5x2.5x4 ft enclosure, very hot basking surface, deep humid substrate for burrowing, T5 UVB, insect diet and supplements.
Pacman frog care
Pacman frog (horned frog) care sheet: enclosure size, temperatures, humidity, moist substrate, dechlorinated water, feeding schedule and why they must live alone.
Burmese python care
Burmese python care sheet for experienced keepers: adult size, enclosure sizing by length, temperatures, humidity, feeding, two-person handling rule and legal restrictions.
Milk snake care
Milk snake care sheet: enclosure size by subspecies, temperature gradient, humidity, substrate, frozen-thawed feeding schedule, and why milk snakes must be housed alone.
False water cobra care
False water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) care sheet: 8x3x3 ft enclosure, temperatures, humidity, large water bowl, feeding, and what keepers need to know about their mild venom.
Hognose snake care
Western hognose snake care sheet: enclosure size for males and females, basking temps, deep burrowing substrate, feeding picky eaters, defensive behavior and mild venom.
Radiated tortoise care
Radiated tortoise care sheet: CITES Appendix I legal status and paperwork, enclosure size, temperatures, humidity to prevent pyramiding, UVB, high-fiber diet and calcium.
Red-eared slider care
Red-eared slider care sheet: 10 gallons per inch tank rule, water and basking temperatures, UVB, filtration, diet by age, Salmonella hygiene and EU/US legal restrictions.
New to reptiles? Crested geckos and leopard geckos are the most forgiving first lizards; corn and milk snakes are classic first snakes, and pacman frogs are an easy first amphibian. Ackie monitors, false water cobras and radiated tortoises are for experienced keepers, and Burmese pythons are for experts only.