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

BEAUTIFUL NEW – AND IMPERILLED – SNAKES DISCOVERED • Featuring stories that include how noise can adversely affect lizards, a snake finally recognised by science almost half a century after it was found, the terrible toll taken by the trade in frogs’ legs, how a snake performs cartwheels to escape predators and more, including a strange reptilian fossil with screwdriver teeth and starting here with the discovery of a group of stunning new snakes which face an uncertain future.

Can some snakes do cartwheels to escape or startle predators?

EU blamed for extinction domino effect on frog populations

Hiding in plain sight: new snake named some 46 years after being found!

LIZARDS AFFECTED BY NOISE

New mosasaur found with strange ‘screwdriver’ teeth

Warmer climate could cause Puerto Rico's frogs to croak

REWRITING ANCIENT HISTORY

Keeping and breeding blue-throated agamas • The African continent is home to a number of agamid species, all of which prove to be lively, active vivarium subjects. With the right care, it is also possible to breed them successfully in these surroundings, as James Hicks explains.

Breeding musk turtles • It is still not that common for turtles to be bred at home, compared with other reptiles. Here, in conversation with David Alderton, musk turtle enthusiast Peter Ford described how he has been successful with them.

Amazing lizard facts • Dutch researchers have calculated that a chameleon's tongue shoots out of its mouth at a speed equivalent to 21.6kph (13.4mph).

Picking a python • Seeking to choose a python, but not sure which type would suit you best? Here is Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr's guide, covering those from the Indo-Australian region.

All about shells

REPTILE FOCUS • The western or Angolan green snake - Philothamnus angolensis

The mating behaviours of snakes • Dr Julia Mueller-Paul explores the latest information in this area, revealing how courtship and mating rituals may differ not just between species but different populations, and the significance of conditioning factors.

Reptile respiration • In his regular column this month, Paul Donovan considers how reptiles breathe, and the ways in which some are uniquely adapted in this regard - including a number of the species that he encounters regularly in Botswana.

An underrated amphibian! • Dr Jason Randall discusses the husbandry of one of his favourite species.

Keeping Land Hermit Crabs • These particular crustaceans are social creatures and they will make fascinating pets for owners of any age, explains Rachel Turner of Crabby Cravings.

Stopping the spread of disease • There is a lot of information available about caring for reptiles, ranging from making the right choice to providing the correct housing, nutrition and suitable handling to minimise stress. However, whether you just have one bearded dragon or a very valuable breeding collection, it is vital to appreciate how infectious illnesses can strike and affect your pets - and how to stop them, explains Hannah-Marie Salisbury, MSc, BSc (Hons) AniSci.

London's Lost World Part 3: FACING UP TO THE RAVAGES OF TIME AND THE DESTRUCTION OF AN AMERICAN DREAM • In the first two parts of this short series, Dr Karl Shuker described the...