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

Proof that reptiles are NOT completely cold-blooded • Featuring stories that include the discovery of a remarkable new behaviour recorded in amphibians for the first time, why a European snake is facing a very bleak future, how a lizard has provided important insights into understanding the development of this group of reptiles, plus the finding of a amazing giant amphibian and a marine crocodile, the battle for survival between nocturnal creatures and starting here with proof that at least one lizard has some independent control over its body temperature, rather than this being totally determined by its environment.

European snake faces a very uncertain future

“Incredible Hulk” lizard provides clues to understanding evolution

Night-time combat

Unique amphibian behaviour discovered

Gigantic salamander-like creature found in Africa

Ancient marine crocodile yields its secrets

The world of dwarf boas • Not all boa constrictors grow to be nearly 3m (10ft) long monstrous snakes when adult. There are some island boas and a mainland form which remain much smaller. These are collectively described as dwarf boas, writes Timothy Zedi. I was lucky enough to acquire a group of dwarf boas of unknown locality which I have kept now for over 10 years This article covers my experiences keeping these smaller boas, as well as the different localities where dwarf boas can be found.

DID YOU KNOW? • Here's another assortment of amazing facts about reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Creating environmental enrichment • Professional herpetologist and long-time African resident Paul Donovan highlights the importance of creating a suitable habitat for your reptiles.

Keeping pygmy chameleons

AMPHIBIAN FOCUS • Kern Plateau salamander (Batrachoseps robustus)

A breeding concern in a snake • Specialist veterinary surgeon Dr Joanna Hedley, BVM&S, DZooMed (Reptilian), DECZM (Herpetology), MRCVS discusses what can be a relatively common issue.

Keeping long-tailed lizards • Looking for a lively and highly distinctive lizard that is easy to care for? Dr Jason Randall discusses the care needs of the Asian long-tailed lizard, which is one of his favourite species.

GREENTREE PYTHONS • Having worked for many years as the curator of a zoological collection in Scotland, Bill Lowe soon learnt that there was always a risk of chaos descending in his absence, and that it was more likely to be caused by the keepers rather than the creatures in their care.

Boxing clever! • Breeder Paul Coleman reveals why he finds this group of tortoises so fascinating, and how he has now achieved multi generation breeding success with his strain of these captivating chelonians.

Box tortoise identification

A Japanese treasure The rare and overlooked TOKYO SALAMANDER • Joshua Ralph discusses the Tokyo salamander, which is a species declining in the wild, and yet one that is not widely kept, in spite of the fact that these interesting caudates are relatively easy to maintain, and have fascinating breeding habits.

What’s in a name? • Just how do scientists divide up groups of animals, and how does the scientific system of naming operate? Why does this matter to hobbyists? James Brereton explains.

Practical Reptile Keeping