Fresh from the basking spot
50 guides
Bearded Dragon Care: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything first-time keepers need to know about bearded dragon care: enclosure setup, heating, UVB, diet, handling, and health.
July 4, 2026
Why Won't My Reptile Eat? Common Causes and Fixes
Reptile not eating? Learn the most common reasons lizards, snakes, and geckos refuse food and what to do about each one.
July 4, 2026
How to Set Up a Bioactive Terrarium for Beginners
Learn how to build a bioactive terrarium with live plants, a cleanup crew, and layered substrate that keeps your reptile's habitat naturally balanced.
July 3, 2026
Kid-Friendly Reptiles: Which Pets Suit a Family?
Bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and corn snakes are reliable picks for families. Here's how to match the right reptile to your kids' ages and your setup.
July 3, 2026
How to Read a UVB Bulb: T5, T8, and Percentages Explained
Learn what T5 and T8 UVB bulbs mean, what the output percentages tell you, and how often to replace them for your reptile.
July 2, 2026
Signs of a Healthy Reptile (and Warning Signs of Illness)
Learn to read your reptile's body language and physical condition. Covers clear signs of good health and the warning signs that mean a vet visit is overdue.
July 2, 2026
Blue Tongue Skink Care: A Beginner's Guide
Learn blue tongue skink care from enclosure size and temperatures to diet and handling. A practical beginner's guide to setting up and keeping this lizard.
July 1, 2026
How to Clean a Reptile Tank (and How Often)
A plain-spoken guide to cleaning reptile enclosures: how often to spot-clean vs. deep-clean, safe disinfectants to use, and hand-hygiene tips.
July 1, 2026
What Do Pet Reptiles Eat? A Beginner's Feeding Guide
What pet reptiles eat, from feeder insects and rodents to greens, plus diet types, supplements, and feeding schedules for first-time keepers.
June 30, 2026
When to Take Your Reptile to an Exotics Vet
Learn when your reptile needs a vet visit, how to find a qualified exotics vet, and what to expect at a reptile health checkup.
June 30, 2026
What Greens and Vegetables Can Reptiles Eat?
A practical guide to safe vegetables for reptiles, including the best greens for bearded dragons and other herbivorous and omnivorous species.
June 29, 2026
How to Choose a Healthy Reptile When Buying
Learn how to pick a healthy reptile when buying one. Covers key signs to check, red flags to avoid, and questions to ask the seller.
June 28, 2026
Pacman Frog Care: A Beginner's Guide
Learn pacman frog care from enclosure setup to feeding schedules. Covers humidity, temperatures in °F/°C, diet, health signs, and beginner tips.
June 28, 2026
Glass Tank vs. PVC Enclosure: Which Is Better?
Glass tanks are cheaper and widely available, but PVC enclosures hold heat and humidity far better. Here is how to choose for your species.
June 27, 2026
Reptile Heating and Lighting Explained for Beginners
Learn how to set up reptile heating and lighting correctly — heat sources, UVB, thermostats, gradients, and photoperiod explained for first-time keepers.
June 27, 2026
Do Reptiles Need Light at Night?
Most reptiles need heat at night but not light. Learn which night heating options work, what temperatures to target, and why colored bulbs are a mistake.
June 26, 2026
White's Tree Frog Care: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn how to keep White's tree frogs (dumpy tree frogs) healthy as a beginner. Covers enclosure setup, temperature, humidity, feeding, and common health issues.
June 26, 2026
How to Quarantine a New Reptile
Learn how to quarantine a new reptile properly: simple setup, correct temps, how long to wait, what to watch for, and when to call an exotics vet.
June 25, 2026
How to Set Up a Reptile Tank: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to set up a reptile tank from scratch, including substrate, heating, UVB, and why you must stabilize temps for 48 hours before your animal arrives.
June 25, 2026
How to Care for a Pet Tortoise: A Beginner's Guide
Learn how to care for a pet tortoise, from enclosure setup and UVB lighting to diet, soaking, and hibernation basics for Hermann's, Russian, and Greek tortoi...
June 24, 2026
How to Measure Temperatures in a Reptile Tank Accurately
Why stick-on dial thermometers fail, which tools actually work, and how to build and verify a proper temperature gradient in your reptile tank.
June 24, 2026
Hides, Branches, and Decor: Furnishing a Reptile Tank
Learn how to furnish a reptile tank with hides, branches, and decor that support health and comfort, not just looks.
June 23, 2026
The Best Pet Reptiles for Beginners
Discover which reptiles are genuinely beginner-friendly, with honest info on care needs, adult sizes, lifespans, and what to expect long-term.
June 23, 2026
Feeder Insects Explained: Crickets, Dubia, Mealworms, and More
Compare crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, superworms, and more. Learn nutrition, staples vs treats, sizing, and gut-loading to feed your reptile well.
June 22, 2026
Live, Frozen, or Pre-Killed: Feeding Snakes Safely
Compare live, frozen-thawed, and pre-killed prey for pet snakes. Learn safe thawing, feeding schedules by age and size, and what to do when a snake refuses.
June 21, 2026
Reptiles and Salmonella: Safe Handling and Hygiene
Many reptiles carry Salmonella naturally. Learn who's most at risk, how to wash hands properly, and how to clean enclosures safely to protect your household.
June 21, 2026
How to Keep Your Reptile Hydrated: Water Bowls, Soaking, and Misting
Learn how to hydrate a reptile using water bowls, scheduled soaks, and misting. Covers dehydration signs, bowl setup, water type, and species differences.
June 20, 2026
Corn Snake Care: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn how to care for a corn snake: enclosure size, temps, humidity, feeding schedule, handling tips, and common health issues for beginners.
June 19, 2026
Heat Mat, Heat Lamp, or Ceramic Emitter: Which to Use?
Compare reptile heat sources: heat mats, basking lamps, and ceramic emitters. Learn which suits your species, why thermostats matter, and how to keep things...
June 19, 2026
Are Reptiles Good Pets? An Honest Beginner's Look
Reptiles can be rewarding pets, but they're not for everyone. Here's an honest look at the pros, cons, costs, and commitments before you bring one home.
June 18, 2026
How to Control Humidity in a Reptile Enclosure
Learn how to raise or lower reptile humidity, measure it accurately, and hit the right target range for your species to prevent sheds and infections.
June 17, 2026
Where to Buy a Pet Reptile: Breeder, Rescue, or Pet Store?
Breeder, rescue, pet store, or expo? Here's how to choose the right source for your first reptile and spot a healthy animal before you bring it home.
June 17, 2026
Crested Gecko Care: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything first-time keepers need to know about crested gecko care: enclosure setup, temperature, humidity, diet, and handling tips.
June 16, 2026
How to Handle and Tame Your Reptile Gently
Learn how to tame a reptile safely — from the settling-in period to reading stress signals, supporting the body correctly, and knowing which species to skip.
June 15, 2026
Do You Need a Thermostat for Reptile Heating?
Yes, every reptile heating element needs a thermostat. Learn why it matters, which type suits your setup, and how to place the probe correctly.
June 14, 2026
How Often Should You Feed Your Reptile?
How often to feed your reptile by species and age, with beginner-friendly feeding schedules, tables, and over- and under-feeding warning signs.
June 14, 2026
How to Set Up a Temperature Gradient in a Reptile Tank
Learn how to create a proper reptile temperature gradient with a warm basking zone and cool retreat, including real temps for popular species.
June 13, 2026
10 Mistakes New Reptile Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Avoid the most common reptile beginner mistakes with this practical guide covering heat, UVB, enclosure size, feeding, and more for first-time keepers.
June 12, 2026
Ball Python Care: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn how to care for a ball python, from enclosure setup and heating to feeding and handling. A practical guide for first-time keepers.
June 12, 2026
What Is Metabolic Bone Disease and How to Prevent It
Metabolic bone disease is one of the most common preventable illnesses in captive reptiles. Learn what causes it, how to spot it early, and how to stop it.
June 11, 2026
Calcium and Vitamin Supplements for Reptiles
Learn how to use calcium and vitamin supplements safely for pet reptiles, including dusting schedules, D3 considerations, and how UVB changes what you need.
June 10, 2026
How to Set the Right Basking Temperature
Learn how to measure and dial in the correct reptile basking temperature for popular species, with a quick-reference chart and setup tips for beginners.
June 10, 2026
Choosing the Right Substrate for Your Reptile
A practical guide to picking the best reptile substrate for your species, covering impaction risks, humidity needs, and what to avoid.
June 9, 2026
Reptiles vs. Amphibians: What's the Difference for Pet Keepers?
Reptiles and amphibians look similar but need very different care. Learn the key biology differences and what they mean before choosing your first pet.
June 8, 2026
How to Help a Reptile With a Stuck or Bad Shed
Reptile stuck shed can cut off circulation to toes and tails. Learn safe ways to help — warm soaks, humid hides, and what never to touch.
June 7, 2026
Leopard Gecko Care: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything a first-time keeper needs to set up and care for a leopard gecko, from enclosure size and heating to diet, shedding, and health.
June 7, 2026
How to Gut-Load and Dust Feeder Insects
Learn how to gut-load feeder insects and dust them with calcium and vitamins so your reptile or amphibian gets complete nutrition from every meal.
June 6, 2026
What Is UVB and Why Does Your Reptile Need It?
UVB drives vitamin D3 in reptiles and prevents metabolic bone disease. Which species need it, bulb types, distances, and replacement schedules.
June 5, 2026
What Size Tank Does Your Reptile Need?
Reptile tank size depends on species, lifestyle, and adult dimensions. Learn the right enclosure size for popular reptiles, from bearded dragons to geckos.
June 5, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Keep a Pet Reptile?
A practical breakdown of reptile setup costs, ongoing expenses, and hidden costs — so you can budget before you buy your first lizard, snake, or gecko.
June 4, 2026