Reptile pet recommendations? Originally from East Africa, the sulcata tortoise is often seen in zoos and conservatories. But, they’re also a highly sought-after species in the pet trade. They are one of the largest tortoise species in the world, so caring for one is not for the faint of heart. Full-grown tortoises can reach 25 to 30 inches in size and tip the scales at over 100 pounds. Not only that, but they have a long lifespan. In good living conditions, a sulcata tortoise can live for 70 years or more! Thanks to their massive size, sulcata tortoises need a large outdoor enclosure. They love to explore and move around the habitat, so you cannot keep these creatures in confined spaces. Most owners will build a dedicated enclosure using tall concrete walls. While you might think that wooden fences would suffice, these reptiles are quite strong. They can easily blow through wood fences. These pet tortoises can also escape by other means. They are capable of climbing objects and burrowing in the substrate. So, take some extra time when planning the perfect habitat! The yellow-footed tortoise is very similar to the red-footed tortoise. However, it doesn’t feature the same intense coloration. But that doesn’t mean that this species is any less beautiful!

Fortunately, many pet snakes will accept dead prey. If yours does, consider keeping a separate small freezer for what are delicately called “prey items”. Dead mice and rats of various ages can be purchased in frozen packages through pet supply stores and directly from people who breed “feeder” mice. For health reasons, it is best to keep your snake’s dinner separately from your own foods. Depending on the snake, she might scarf down three or four at one meal, or she might only eat one. You’ll need to keep half a dozen on hand, in any case. Try starting with prey items that are about the same size around the middle as your snake is. If your snake won’t touch dead prey items, try wiggling the meal a bit, to make it move. Also, try putting a piece of fabric over the tank as a “privacy curtain”. Sometimes one or both of those will do the trick. If that fails, you might need to feed your snake live prey. This is more complicated, and not for the faint of heart. You’ll need to watch the snake hunting and killing the larger prey, because it is dangerous to the snake to leave an adult rodent alone with her. The panicked creature could injure the snake with its claws and teeth.

The Mexican alligator lizard (Abronia graminea) is also often known as the green arboreal alligator lizard. This is an endangered species that can be found in areas of Mexico such as Oaxaca, Veracruz and Puebla. Because this is an endangered creature, it is important to purchase your lizard from a very reputable dealer. It’s known for having quite a distinct and beautiful look. Many people think it looks like a creature from a fantasy movie! We feel that this lizard is the match for someone with intermediate to advanced reptile care experience. This is because it has some very specific care and handling requirements that are better suited to someone above a beginner’s level. See more information at Reptile care guides.

Accurate thermometers and thermostats are essential. We recommend using dual probe digital thermometers to monitor the warm part and the cool part of the tank. A source of ultraviolet light, either through exposure to unfiltered, natural sunlight, or an artificial UVB light will help prevent metabolic bone disease. Remember to replace the light regularly (every 6-12 months) as it will lose UV strength, even though it still emits visible light. The enclosure should be large enough for your bluetongue to move around freely and a clean, good quality substrate, replaced regularly, will encourage it to burrow. Be careful of woodchips, coarse sand, kitty litter and tanbark as they often get eaten by mistake and cause impactions. We recommend newspaper or butchers paper as a safer option.

Wherever you keep them, you must be careful about preventing escape! Thanks to their flat bodies, these critters can slip under narrow cracks. They’re also surprisingly good climbers! Pancake tortoises are easy to please when it comes to food. Natural herbivores, these reptiles have a healthy appetite for plant-based foods. They enjoy a wide variety of leafy greens and dry grasses. The tortoises also enjoy fruits and vegetables. Here’s a species that’s on the larger side of the size spectrum. Reaching roughly 10 to 18 inches as adults, leopard tortoises are the fourth-largest species in the world! It’s not hard to see why this pet tortoise breed is so loved in the herpetology community. The shell is unique, featuring a distinct pattern that stands out in a crowd. The base color of the shell is usually tan or light brown. However, splotches of black create a spotted effect that looks like the fur of a leopard. Read additional information on https://reptilehq.com/.