Reptiles & Amphibians

Species guides with real temperatures, UVB and space figures, from leopard geckos and corn snakes to tree frogs and axolotls, plus heating, lighting, food, the law and what to do in a power cut.

A bearded dragon basking, a leopard gecko and a box turtle in their habitats

Find a guide

Setting Up a New Reptile Enclosure

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Whatever species you choose, buy for the adult and test the setup before your animal comes home. Your species guide gives the exact sizes and temperatures.

Getting Started

Choosing a species, the rules, and being ready for the unexpected.

Choosing Your First Reptile

Easy species compared, plus the equipment checklist

Reptile and Amphibian Law

CITES, invasive species and licenses by country

Reptile Power Cut Plan

Keeping warm, or cool, when the power fails

Lizards

Popular pet lizards, with setup figures from keeper care sheets.

African Fat-Tailed Geckos

A calm gecko that likes it humid

Bearded Dragon Setup

Big enclosure, strong UVB, hot basking spot

Blue-Tongued Skinks

Calm, curious omnivores that love to dig

Crested Geckos

Tall planted homes, room temperatures, complete diet

Leopard Gecko Setup

Low-level UVB, three hides and safe substrate

Veiled Chameleons

Think hard first: beautiful but demanding

Snakes

Popular, beginner-friendly snakes and how to keep them well.

Ball Pythons

Royal pythons: calm, long-lived, sometimes fussy eaters

Ball Python Humidity

Humid hides and clean one-piece sheds

Corn Snakes

The classic starter snake, escape-proofed

Kingsnakes and Milk Snakes

Hardy, hungry and always housed alone

Tortoises and Turtles

Long-lived shelled reptiles, and the paperwork some of them need.

Hermann's and Russian Tortoises

Pens, UVB, weeds and Article 10 certificates

Red-Eared Sliders

Adult size, big filters and the GB, EU and US rules

Turtle Diet by Age

From protein-hungry hatchling to leafy adult

Amphibians

Frogs, toads, newts and axolotls: cool, clean, dechlorinated water and gentle hands.

Axolotls

Cool water, no gravel, no tankmates

Dart Frogs

Tiny jewels for a planted, humid vivarium

Fire-Bellied Toads

Lively, social and semi-aquatic

Pet Newts

Fire-bellied newts, cool water and the law

Pacman Frogs

Horned frogs: sit, wait and gulp

White's Tree Frogs

A hardy, calm first frog

Heat, Light, Housing and Food

Equipment guides that apply across species.

Reptile Heating

Basking lamps, emitters, mats and thermostats

UVB Lighting Explained

T5 tubes, the UV index and Ferguson zones

Terrariums and Enclosures

Minimum sizes, glass vs PVC, and locks

Reptile Substrate and Decor

Bedding by species, hides and branches

Reptile Food and Supplements

Insects, complete diets, greens and calcium

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions new keepers ask most.

What's the easiest reptile for a beginner?

Leopard geckos, crested geckos and corn snakes are the classic choices. Our guide to choosing your first reptile compares them.

Do you give real temperatures and UVB figures?

Yes. Each species guide gives typical ranges from keeper care sheets and veterinary sources, in Fahrenheit and Celsius. Check with your vet or a specialist keeper for your own animal.

Do all reptiles need UVB?

Day-active baskers such as bearded dragons and tortoises need it, and many night-active species benefit from low-level UVB too. Our UVB guide explains the Ferguson zones.

Are amphibians harder to keep than reptiles?

Not always, but they need clean, dechlorinated water, cooler temperatures for many species, and as little handling as possible. White's tree frogs are a good first amphibian.

Do I need a license or paperwork?

Sometimes. Some tortoises need CITES paperwork to be sold, some species are banned where you live, and venomous species need licenses. See our reptile and amphibian law page.