Practical Reptile Keeping

Practical Reptile Keeping is the only monthly herp care magazine published in English. Launched in 2009, it attracts an international readership and is packed with advice on how to look after and breed snakes, lizards, tortoises, turtles, amphibians and bugs. As well as stunning photography, each issue features technical help, product information and health care advice to keep your animals in tip-top condition, plus breeding details and the latest news relating to this group of creatures from around the world.

Welcome

A frog mystery is finally solved • Featuring stories that include insights into why crocodilians have been so successful, surviving two mass extinctions, including that of the dinosaurs, the way that shells differ between individual species of sea turtle, why a snake is rewriting our understanding of genetics and how frogs possess a capability to save us, plus how sea turtles are adapting to a changing climate and more, while starting here with the resolution of a mystery that has lasted eight decades.

Why have crocodylians lived so long?

The amazing shell of turtles

Why a snake could change our understanding of genetics

How frogs could save us

Turtles are adapting to a changing climate

Tackling obesity in bearded dragons • There’s not just an epidemic of obesity affecting people these days, but it’s extending to our pets as well, and as far as reptiles are concerned, it seems to be a particular problem with bearded dragons. Pete Hawkins gives his views on what can be done to address this issue.

A common problem with panthers • Panther chameleons have become increasingly popular as pets over recent years, and they are now being bred more frequently, but their care can be more challenging than in the case of some other reptiles. Females are particularly vulnerable to reproductive diseases. Dr Joanna Hedley, BVM&S, DZooMed (Reptilian), DECZM (Herpetology), MRCVS explains why this is the case.

The appeal of ball pythons • Ball – or royal – pythons have a international following today. Here professional breeder Rob Starzman, from Nesconset, New York, discusses how he became involved with these snakes, and how he keeps his collection.

QUESTION & ANSWERS

REPTILE FOCUS

Alternative foods for snakes • Timothy Zedi reveals the wide range of prey hunted by snakes, with some species having incredibly specialised diets. Contrary to the image portrayed in the reptile-keeping hobby, many snakes do not actually seek rodent prey.

Mediterranean tortoises: get it right! • In the first of a two part series, leading tortoise expert Les White, who bred many hundreds of youngsters when he was running a tortoise farm in the UK, explains the 10 most common mistakes made by hobbyists when caring for their pets, and advises on how to avoid these pitfalls.

Out of Africa • Paul Donovan writes about mistaken identities, myths and the misinformation surrounding one of Africa’s most feared group of snakes.

Where have all the males gone? • Jason Randall, PhD, talks about his experiences keeping mourning geckos.

Nature's baubles • Dr V. L. Welch takes a closer look at the spectacular Pachyrrhynchus weevils of southern and eastern Asia.

Practical Reptile Keeping