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

FLORIDA'S FIRST-KNOWN VERTEBRATES FROM THE CARIBBEAN • Featuring stories that include insights into a group of snakes that have undergone radical diversification and specialisation, the discovery of a new species of American gecko, a serious environmental threat being faced by amphibians, and more, such as how a snail could help to tackle polluting microplastics which may be deadly, while starting here with an insight into the first group of vertebrates to cross successfully from the Caribbean to the American mainland.

Amphibians face another hazard

New gecko discovered

SNAKE SKULL SHAPES LINKED TO HABITAT AND PREY

Snail-inspired robot could scoop ocean microplastics

Strange new parasitoid wasp species discovered

Terrifying “Japanese dragon” discovered

Garter snakes offer something for everyone! • South African-based reptile enthusiast Tim Zedi writes about the care and breeding of one of the favourite groups of snakes represented in his collection.

Hinged for a purpose • Professional herpetologist and regular columnist Paul Donovan writes about his experiences with one of Africa's most distinctive tortoises.

Feeding changes

Parasite dangers

REPTILE FOCUS • The Perinet leaf chameleon - Brookesia theresieni

Snakes with character • Bright yellow, deep red, neon green or even a mix 'n' match of browns and greens are all very typical of naturally occurring snakes. Black colouration, however, is not something that most people tend to associate with these reptiles, but it predominates in the case of this American species. Christian Castille discusses one of his favourite snakes from this part of the world.

Settling-in routine

TALES FROM THE REPTILE HOUSE • Celebrating Burns Night in an unusual way

Breeding the black tree monitor • There have been relatively few breedings of tree monitors belonging to the subgenus Euprepiosaurus recorded to date. In this article though, Derren Woodruff reports on his success with the black tree monitor (Varanus beccarii).

Bored of your bookcase? • Then why not convert it to a bespoke vivarium stack for your living room? Here's a step-by-step guide showing how this can be easily achieved. Dr Jason Randall MSc discusses an ingenious way as to how to make new vivariums from old furniture.

Herpetogical Mysteries THE CASE OF WISCONSIN'S HIDEOUS HODAG • In his column this month, Dr Karl Shuker describes a creature which placed a town in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on the map, and left a lasting legacy, which is still apparent there today.

Practical Reptile Keeping