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

FIRST SIDE-NECKED TURTLE EVER DISCOVERED IN THE U.K. • Featuring stories that include the way that microplastics could affect breeding turtles, the various factors influencing the distribution of some South American snakes, the greatly unappreciated role in pollination that is played by moths, renewed hope for the survival of potentially large number of endangered reptiles, amphibians and other animals, and more, including new thoughts on the significance of egg development in the spread of reptiles, while starting here with the discovery of the oldest side-necked turtle found in Europe, and the first ever recorded from the U.K.

New hope for endangered species

How snakes are distribution in the Chaco

The vital role of night-time pollinators

THE DANGER OF MICROPLASTICS IN SAND

Which came first: the reptile or the egg?

The remarkable skills of desert ants

Out of Africa • In his column this month, herpetologist Paul Donovan considers a widespread but puzzling group of African snakes.

Further reading

Lasting impacts on life Early experiences of young reptiles • Science is revealing some truly amazing findings about young reptiles, and how the period in the egg can impact on the rest of their lives. Dr Julia Mueller-Paul explains more.

Introducing the Pacman Frog • These fascinating amphibians are full of character, as enthusiast James Brereton explains, and they are also easy to keep on their own.

Species breakdown

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Alternative pets

Keeping blue tongues

REPTILE FOCUS • Baja blue rock lizard - Petrosaurus thalassinus

Bedding down What's right and wrong when it comes to reptile substrates? • Apart from lighting, the choice of substrates probably result in more arguments amongst reptile and amphibian enthusiasts than any other subject. So what are the factors that you need to bear in mind, and what are the choices available today? Here is an expert, in-depth guide.

The options

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Signs of impaction

JOANNA'S CASEBOOK THE TABLES ARE TURNED! • Specialist reptile veterinary surgeon Dr Joanna Hedley discusses the case of Spike, a bearded dragon with a dietary problem, the risks of which many owners overlook.

A healthy lifestyle Combining a balanced diet and good lighting • In order to avoid the risks of metabolic bone disease (MBD), a balanced diet is as critical as good lighting. John Courtney-Smith, MRSB, FLS, who is Head of Science & Innovation for Arcadia Reptile, explains the vital link between these two areas of husbandry.

Breeding cockroaches • Sharing your home voluntarily with cockroaches may not seem an obvious choice for the house-proud reptile enthusiast, but there can be advantages, as keen lizard keeper Richard White explains.

Choosing your ideal roach • There are a number of different types of roach that you can choose:

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Perch Perfection The world of the Amazon tree boa • When most people think of snakes in the rainforest, they generally have an image of long, slender, colourful animals living in treetops seeking out their prey. The Amazon tree boa fits into this vision perfectly well, yet it's usually...