Practical Care For Exotic Animals
Practical guides for geckos, monitor lizards, chameleons, snakes, hedgehogs, and other exotic species. Find actionable advice on terrariums, feeding, lighting, and humidity — everything you need to give your animal a healthy, natural environment.
We offer two formats: detailed care guides with full coverage of biology, husbandry, and health, and compact fact sheets — a quick-reference summary of the key parameters for experienced keepers.
Care Sheets
Lizards
Geckos
- African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
- Bauer’s Chameleon Gecko (Eurydactylodes agricolae)Eurydactylodes agricolae
- Chahoua Gecko (Mniarogekko chahoua)Mniarogekko chahoua
- Coleonyx mitratusColeonyx mitratus
- Coleonyx variegatusColeonyx variegatus
- Correlophus sarasinorumCorrelophus sarasinorum
- Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)Correlophus ciliatus
- Electric Blue Day Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi)Lygodactylus williamsi
- Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus)Rhacodactylus auriculatus
- Giant Day Gecko (Phelsuma grandis)Phelsuma grandis
- Hainan Cave Gecko (Goniurosaurus hainanensis)Goniurosaurus hainanensis
- Klemmer’s Day Gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri)Phelsuma klemmeri
- Kuhl’s Flying Gecko (Gekko kuhli)Gekko kuhli
- Leachianus Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus)Rhacodactylus leachianus
- Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)Eublepharis macularius
- Lepidodactylus lugubrisLepidodactylus lugubris
- Madagascar Ground Gecko (Paroedura picta)Paroedura picta
- Phelsuma laticaudaPhelsuma laticauda
- Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko)Gekko gecko
Monitor Lizards
- Ackie Monitor (Varanus acanthurus)Varanus acanthurus
- Argus Monitor (Varanus panoptes)Varanus panoptes
- Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator)Varanus salvator
- Black Tree Monitor (Varanus beccarii)Varanus beccarii
- Blue Tree Monitor (Varanus macraei)Varanus macraei
- Emerald Tree Monitor (Varanus prasinus)Varanus prasinus
- King’s Rock Monitor (Varanus kingorum)Varanus kingorum
- Mangrove Monitor (Varanus indicus)Varanus indicus
- Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)Varanus niloticus
- Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)Varanus exanthematicus
- Varanus glauertiVaranus glauerti
- Varanus kordensisVaranus kordensis
- Varanus ornatusVaranus ornatus
- Varanus pilbarensisVaranus pilbarensis
Chameleons
Agamids
Snakes
- Acrantophis dumeriliAcrantophis dumerili
- Ball Python (Python regius)Python regius
- Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor)Boa constrictor
- Boa Imperator (Boa imperator)Boa imperator
- Boaedon fuliginosusBoaedon fuliginosus
- Corallus hortulanaCorallus hortulana
- Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)Pantherophis guttatus
- Elaphe climacophoraElaphe climacophora
- Elaphe schrenckiiElaphe schrenckii
- Epicrates cenchriaEpicrates cenchria
- Eryx colubrinusEryx colubrinus
- Eunectes murinusEunectes murinus
- Malayopython reticulatusMalayopython reticulatus
- Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)Lampropeltis triangulum
- Morelia bredliMorelia bredli
- Morelia spilotaMorelia spilota
- Morelia viridisMorelia viridis
- Orthriophis taeniurusOrthriophis taeniurus
- Python bivittatusPython bivittatus
- Python brongersmaiPython brongersmai
- Python curtusPython curtus
- Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)Heterodon nasicus
Tortoises
- Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca)Testudo graeca
- Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni)Testudo hermanni
- Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans)Geochelone elegans
- Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)Stigmochelys pardalis
- Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata)Testudo marginata
- Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)Chelonoidis carbonarius
- Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii)Testudo horsfieldii
- Sulcata Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)Centrochelys sulcata
Turtles
- Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)Sternotherus odoratus
- Eastern River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna concinna)Pseudemys concinna concinna
- Florida Red-Bellied Cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni)Pseudemys nelsoni
- Mississippi Map Turtle (Graptemys kohnii)Graptemys kohnii
- Red-Bellied Short-Necked Turtle (Emydura subglobosa)Emydura subglobosa
- Reeves's Turtle (Mauremys reevesii)Mauremys reevesii
Amphibians
- Ambystoma maculatumAmbystoma maculatum
- Ambystoma mavortiumAmbystoma mavortium
- Ambystoma tigrinumAmbystoma tigrinum
- Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)Ambystoma mexicanum
- Bombina orientalisBombina orientalis
- Cynops orientalisCynops orientalis
- Cynops pyrrhogasterCynops pyrrhogaster
- Dendrobates auratusDendrobates auratus
- Dendrobates azureusDendrobates azureus
- Dendrobates leucomelasDendrobates leucomelas
- Dyeing Poison Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius)Dendrobates tinctorius
- Hyla cinereaHyla cinerea
- Litoria caeruleaLitoria caerulea
- Oophaga pumilioOophaga pumilio
- Pleurodeles waltlPleurodeles waltl
- Pyxicephalus adspersusPyxicephalus adspersus
- Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas)Agalychnis callidryas
- Salamandra salamandraSalamandra salamandra
- Trachycephalus resinifictrixTrachycephalus resinifictrix
Tarantulas
- Acanthoscurria geniculataAcanthoscurria geniculata
- Brachypelma albicepsBrachypelma albiceps
- Brachypelma auratumBrachypelma auratum
- Brachypelma boehmeiBrachypelma boehmei
- Brachypelma emiliaBrachypelma emilia
- Brachypelma hamoriiBrachypelma hamorii
- Brachypelma klaasiBrachypelma klaasi
- Brachypelma smithiBrachypelma smithi
- Caribena versicolorCaribena versicolor
- Ceratogyrus darlingiCeratogyrus darlingi
- Chromatopelma cyaneopubescensChromatopelma cyaneopubescens
- Cyriopagopus lividusCyriopagopus lividus
- Davus pentalorisDavus pentaloris
- Grammostola pulchraGrammostola pulchra
- Grammostola pulchripesGrammostola pulchripes
- Grammostola roseaGrammostola rosea
- Harpactira pulchripesHarpactira pulchripes
- Lasiodora parahybanaLasiodora parahybana
- Megaphobema robustumMegaphobema robustum
- Nhandu chromatusNhandu chromatus
- Phormictopus auratusPhormictopus auratus
- Phormictopus canceridesPhormictopus cancerides
- Poecilotheria fasciataPoecilotheria fasciata
- Poecilotheria formosaPoecilotheria formosa
- Poecilotheria hanumavilasumicaPoecilotheria hanumavilasumica
- Poecilotheria metallicaPoecilotheria metallica
- Poecilotheria mirandaPoecilotheria miranda
- Psalmopoeus irminiaPsalmopoeus irminia
- Pterinochilus murinusPterinochilus murinus
- Theraphosa apophysisTheraphosa apophysis
- Theraphosa blondiTheraphosa blondi
- Theraphosa stirmiTheraphosa stirmi
- Tliltocatl albopilosusTliltocatl albopilosus
Feeders
- Banded Crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus)Gryllodes sigillatus
- Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens)Hermetia illucens
- Dubia Roaches (Blaptica dubia)Blaptica dubia
- Fruit Flies (Drosophila melanogaster)Drosophila melanogaster
- Hornworms (Manduca sexta)Manduca sexta
- House Crickets (Acheta domesticus)Acheta domesticus
- Jamaican Field Crickets (Gryllus assimilis)Gryllus assimilis
- Lobster Roaches (Nauphoeta cinerea)Nauphoeta cinerea
- Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)Tenebrio molitor
- Migratory Locusts (Locusta migratoria)Locusta migratoria
- Pill Bugs (Armadillidium vulgare)Armadillidium vulgare
- Red Runner Roaches (Shelfordella lateralis)Shelfordella lateralis
- Rough Woodlice (Porcellio scaber)Porcellio scaber
- Silkworms (Bombyx mori)Bombyx mori
- Springtails (Folsomia candida)Folsomia candida
- Superworms (Zophobas atratus)Zophobas atratus
- Two-Spotted Crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus)Gryllus bimaculatus
- Waxworms (Galleria mellonella)Galleria mellonella
Plants
- Arugula (Eruca vesicaria)Eruca vesicaria
- Calendula (Calendula officinalis)Calendula officinalis
- Chickweed (Stellaria media)Stellaria media
- Chicory (Cichorium intybus)Cichorium intybus
- Clover (Trifolium spp.)Trifolium spp.
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)Taraxacum officinale
- Endive (Cichorium endivia)Cichorium endivia
- Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)Convolvulus arvensis
- Mallow (Malva spp.)Malva spp.
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)Tropaeolum majus
- Plantain (Plantago spp.)Plantago spp.
- Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa pastoris)Capsella bursa pastoris
- Terrarium Plants (Plantae spp.)Plantae spp.
Mammals
Husbandry Guides
Factsheets
Lizards
Geckos
- African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
- Bauer’s Chameleon Gecko (Eurydactylodes agricolae)Eurydactylodes agricolae
- Chahoua Gecko (Mniarogekko chahoua)Mniarogekko chahoua
- Coleonyx mitratusColeonyx mitratus
- Coleonyx variegatusColeonyx variegatus
- Correlophus sarasinorumCorrelophus sarasinorum
- Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)Correlophus ciliatus
- Electric Blue Day Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi)Lygodactylus williamsi
- Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus)Rhacodactylus auriculatus
- Giant Day Gecko (Phelsuma grandis)Phelsuma grandis
- Hainan Cave Gecko (Goniurosaurus hainanensis)Goniurosaurus hainanensis
- Klemmer’s Day Gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri)Phelsuma klemmeri
- Kuhl’s Flying Gecko (Gekko kuhli)Gekko kuhli
- Leachianus Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus)Rhacodactylus leachianus
- Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)Eublepharis macularius
- Lepidodactylus lugubrisLepidodactylus lugubris
- Madagascar Ground Gecko (Paroedura picta)Paroedura picta
- Phelsuma laticaudaPhelsuma laticauda
- Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko)Gekko gecko
Monitor Lizards
- Ackie Monitor (Varanus acanthurus)Varanus acanthurus
- Argus Monitor (Varanus panoptes)Varanus panoptes
- Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator)Varanus salvator
- Black Tree Monitor (Varanus beccarii)Varanus beccarii
- Blue Tree Monitor (Varanus macraei)Varanus macraei
- Emerald Tree Monitor (Varanus prasinus)Varanus prasinus
- King’s Rock Monitor (Varanus kingorum)Varanus kingorum
- Mangrove Monitor (Varanus indicus)Varanus indicus
- Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)Varanus niloticus
- Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)Varanus exanthematicus
- Varanus glauertiVaranus glauerti
- Varanus kordensisVaranus kordensis
- Varanus ornatusVaranus ornatus
- Varanus pilbarensisVaranus pilbarensis
Chameleons
Agamids
Snakes
- Acrantophis dumeriliAcrantophis dumerili
- Ball Python (Python regius)Python regius
- Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor)Boa constrictor
- Boa Imperator (Boa imperator)Boa imperator
- Boaedon fuliginosusBoaedon fuliginosus
- Corallus hortulanaCorallus hortulana
- Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)Pantherophis guttatus
- Elaphe climacophoraElaphe climacophora
- Elaphe schrenckiiElaphe schrenckii
- Epicrates cenchriaEpicrates cenchria
- Eryx colubrinusEryx colubrinus
- Eunectes murinusEunectes murinus
- Malayopython reticulatusMalayopython reticulatus
- Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)Lampropeltis triangulum
- Morelia bredliMorelia bredli
- Morelia spilotaMorelia spilota
- Morelia spilota cheyneiMorelia spilota cheynei
- Morelia viridisMorelia viridis
- Orthriophis taeniurusOrthriophis taeniurus
- Python bivittatusPython bivittatus
- Python brongersmaiPython brongersmai
- Python curtusPython curtus
- Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)Heterodon nasicus
Tortoises
- Sulcata Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)Centrochelys sulcata
- Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)Chelonoidis carbonarius
- Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans)Geochelone elegans
- Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata)Testudo marginata
- Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)Stigmochelys pardalis
- Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca)Testudo graeca
- Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni)Testudo hermanni
- Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii)Testudo horsfieldii
Turtles
- Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)Sternotherus odoratus
- Eastern River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna concinna)Pseudemys concinna concinna
- Florida Red-Bellied Cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni)Pseudemys nelsoni
- Mississippi Map Turtle (Graptemys kohnii)Graptemys kohnii
- Red-Bellied Short-Necked Turtle (Emydura subglobosa)Emydura subglobosa
- Reeves's Turtle (Mauremys reevesii)Mauremys reevesii
Amphibians
- Ambystoma maculatumAmbystoma maculatum
- Ambystoma mavortiumAmbystoma mavortium
- Ambystoma tigrinumAmbystoma tigrinum
- Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)Ambystoma mexicanum
- Bombina orientalisBombina orientalis
- Cynops orientalisCynops orientalis
- Cynops pyrrhogasterCynops pyrrhogaster
- Dendrobates auratusDendrobates auratus
- Dendrobates azureusDendrobates azureus
- Dendrobates leucomelasDendrobates leucomelas
- Dyeing Poison Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius)Dendrobates tinctorius
- Hyla cinereaHyla cinerea
- Litoria caeruleaLitoria caerulea
- Oophaga pumilioOophaga pumilio
- Pacman Frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli)Ceratophrys cranwelli
- Pleurodeles waltlPleurodeles waltl
- Pyxicephalus adspersusPyxicephalus adspersus
- Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas)Agalychnis callidryas
- Salamandra salamandraSalamandra salamandra
- Trachycephalus resinifictrixTrachycephalus resinifictrix
Tarantulas
- Acanthoscurria geniculataAcanthoscurria geniculata
- Brachypelma albicepsBrachypelma albiceps
- Brachypelma auratumBrachypelma auratum
- Brachypelma boehmeiBrachypelma boehmei
- Brachypelma emiliaBrachypelma emilia
- Brachypelma hamoriiBrachypelma hamorii
- Brachypelma klaasiBrachypelma klaasi
- Brachypelma smithiBrachypelma smithi
- Caribena versicolorCaribena versicolor
- Ceratogyrus darlingiCeratogyrus darlingi
- Chilobrachys fimbriatusChilobrachys fimbriatus
- Chromatopelma cyaneopubescensChromatopelma cyaneopubescens
- Cyriopagopus lividusCyriopagopus lividus
- Davus pentalorisDavus pentaloris
- Grammostola pulchraGrammostola pulchra
- Grammostola pulchripesGrammostola pulchripes
- Grammostola roseaGrammostola rosea
- Harpactira pulchripesHarpactira pulchripes
- Heteroscodra maculataHeteroscodra maculata
- Hysterocrates gigasHysterocrates gigas
- Idiothele miraIdiothele mira
- Lasiodora parahybanaLasiodora parahybana
- Megaphobema robustumMegaphobema robustum
- Monocentropus balfouriMonocentropus balfouri
- Nhandu chromatusNhandu chromatus
- Omothymus violaceopesOmothymus violaceopes
- Pelinobius muticusPelinobius muticus
- Phormictopus auratusPhormictopus auratus
- Phormictopus canceridesPhormictopus cancerides
- Poecilotheria fasciataPoecilotheria fasciata
- Poecilotheria formosaPoecilotheria formosa
- Poecilotheria hanumavilasumicaPoecilotheria hanumavilasumica
- Poecilotheria metallicaPoecilotheria metallica
- Poecilotheria mirandaPoecilotheria miranda
- Psalmopoeus cambridgeiPsalmopoeus cambridgei
- Psalmopoeus irminiaPsalmopoeus irminia
- Psalmopoeus pulcherPsalmopoeus pulcher
- Psalmopoeus reduncusPsalmopoeus reduncus
- Psalmopoeus victoriPsalmopoeus victori
- Pterinochilus murinusPterinochilus murinus
- Stromatopelma calceatumStromatopelma calceatum
- Theraphosa apophysisTheraphosa apophysis
- Theraphosa blondiTheraphosa blondi
- Theraphosa stirmiTheraphosa stirmi
- Tliltocatl albopilosusTliltocatl albopilosus
- Tliltocatl kahlenbergiTliltocatl kahlenbergi
- Tliltocatl vagansTliltocatl vagans