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

DART FROG PERSONALITY DETERMINES REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGY • Featuring stories that include new and fascinating information about the life of North America's largest amphibian, following a significant study lasting eight years, why the outlook for sea turtles is not encouraging, fresh insights into the development of crocodiles, and more, including some amazing fossil finds of extinct reptiles, and starting here with an insight into how the personality of a species of dart frog influences its breeding behaviour.

Why hellbenders are disappearing

Pollution poses another threat to turtles

Multiple evolutionary trajectories in aquatic crocodiles

Climate change threatens the future of sea turtles

New mosasaur named after Norse sea serpent

ANCIENT SEA MONSTER REMAINS REVEAL OLDEST MEGA-PREDATORY PLIOSAUR

Out of Africa • Having lived in Botswana for over 10 years, professional herpetologist Paul Donovan decides it is time to move on - and here in his regular column, he describes his journey across the border into neighbouring Zambia.

Breeding spotted pythons • These pythons are not difficult to breed, and represent an excellent choice if you have already gained some experience with colubrid snakes, and want to expand your collection. In fact, they are even easier to breed that ball (royal) pythons, says Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr, BVMS, MRCVS.

A radical breakthrough for reptiles and keepers alike • One of the most significant advances in reptile care for two decades has just been launched on to the international market, as David Alderton reports. Called LumenIZE, this new brand from Arcadia Reptile is the culmination of nearly a decade of research and development work by the team, headed by John Courteney-Smith, MRSB, FLS.

THE ROLE OF THE SHELL

REPTILE FOCUS • Viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara

The hi-tech war to save California's desert tortoises • David Alderton recently spoke with biologist Tim Shields and filmmaker Josh Izenberg about a unique project that is making waves in California and the wider global conservation community.

Insights into Invertebrates

WARNING Are you putting your collection in DANGER? • The risks posed by infectious diseases that can strike reptiles have been underestimated in the past. This situation must change in the light of new information that is now available argues Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr, BVMS, MRCVS.

Colours can be confusing! The case of the viper boa

The plight of the electric blue gecko • Steve Nash, PGDip, and James Brereton, MSc, BSc (Hons) describe why this species is facing an increasingly uncertain future, and explain what breeders can do to help.

Take care with tails! • Tail injuries can occur unexpectedly in lizards, and these may unfortunately result in complications on occasions. Injuries of this type can be partly a reflection of the lizard's behaviour, in addition to being linked with its surroundings. Dr Joanna Hedley BVM&S DZooMed(Reptilian) ECZM (Herpetology) MRCVS explains.