Enclosure reference · Finished enclosure photograph
An arid planted leopard-gecko vivarium
A broad ground area with stones, branching wood and live planting.
View project detailsThe keeper’s field guide
Find your reptile and build their world.
Research reptiles, understand their care, plan enclosures and keep useful care records.
Start with a species, from geckos to monitors.
Meet the speciesCare for a climbing geckoThe crested geckoNot sure where to start?
Care with sources you can followBuilt around natural behaviorsTools for preparation and daily care
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LizardsBearded dragon
Pogona vitticeps
Species introduction · Some experience
Around 10–15 years or longer
Arid terrestrial6 min read
SnakesBall python
Python regius
Species introduction · Some experience
20 years or longer
Tropical terrestrial6 min read
Turtles & tortoisesRussian tortoise
Testudo horsfieldii
Species introduction · Some experience
Several decades; 60 years or longer is possible
Arid terrestrial5 min read
LizardsLeopard gecko
Eublepharis macularius
Species introduction · Getting started
About 20 years, sometimes longer
Arid terrestrial6 min read
SnakesCorn snake
Pantherophis guttatus
Species introduction · Getting started
Around 10–15 years; some live longer
Temperate terrestrial6 min read
Turtles & tortoisesRed-eared slider
Trachemys scripta elegans
Species introduction · Some experience
Around 20–30 years; longer lives occur
Freshwater semi-aquatic5 min read
LizardsCrested gecko
Correlophus ciliatus
Species introduction · Some experience
Around 15–20 years
Tropical arboreal6 min read
SnakesBoa imperator
Boa imperator
Species introduction · Experienced keeper
A commitment measured in decades; 40+ years is possible
Tropical semi-arboreal6 min read
Turtles & tortoisesCommon musk turtle
Sternotherus odoratus
Species introduction · Some experience
30–50 years in the cited veterinary guide
Freshwater bottom-walking aquatic4 min read
LizardsBlue-tongued skink
Tiliqua scincoides
Species introduction · Some experience
Around 15–20 years, with longer lives reported
Australian terrestrial5 min read
SnakesKenyan sand boa
Eryx colubrinus
Species introduction · Some experience
15–30 years in protected care reported
Arid and semi-arid burrowing5 min read
Turtles & tortoisesPainted turtle
Chrysemys picta
Species introduction · Some experience
Up to 40 years in the cited care source; plan for a long commitment
Freshwater semi-aquatic4 min read
LizardsGargoyle gecko
Rhacodactylus auriculatus
Species introduction · Some experience
Plan for 20–25 years; the linked breeder reports individuals past twenty.
New Caledonian woodland4 min read
SnakesWestern hognose snake
Heterodon nasicus
Species introduction · Some experience
About 10–15 years; longer is possible.
Temperate burrowing5 min read
Turtles & tortoisesEastern box turtle
Terrapene carolina carolina
Species introduction · Some experience
40+ years; exceptional box turtles live far longer
Moist woodland terrestrial4 min read
LizardsGreen anole
Anolis carolinensis
Species introduction · Some experience
Around 4–8 years
Subtropical arboreal5 min read
SnakesCalifornia kingsnake
Lampropeltis californiae
Species introduction · Getting started
20 years or more.
Terrestrial with climbing4 min read
Turtles & tortoisesHermann’s tortoise
Testudo hermanni
Species introduction · Some experience
50+ years; some Mediterranean tortoises approach a century
Mediterranean terrestrial4 min read
LizardsAckie monitor
Varanus acanthurus
Species introduction · Experienced keeper
At least 15 years is possible with good care.
Arid surface with humid burrows4 min read
SnakesChildren’s python
Antaresia childreni
Species introduction · Some experience
20–30 years reported
Australian woodland and rocky cover5 min read
Turtles & tortoisesGreek tortoise
Testudo graeca
Species introduction · Experienced keeper
50+ years; plan for succession care
Mediterranean terrestrial; locality dependent4 min read
LizardsPanther chameleon
Furcifer pardalis
Species introduction · Experienced keeper
Several years of daily care; sex and reproductive history affect longevity.
Tropical forest edge with cooler humid nights5 min read
SnakesMexican black kingsnake
Lampropeltis nigrita
Species introduction · Getting started
20 years or more.
Semi-arid terrestrial4 min read
Turtles & tortoisesRed-footed tortoise
Chelonoidis carbonaria
Species introduction · Some experience
50 years or longer is possible
Tropical forest-edge terrestrial4 min read
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Enclosure planning
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Enclosure reference · Furnished enclosure before stocking
A California kingsnake terrarium before stocking
Cork, branches and foliage photographed before the animal was introduced.
View project details
Enclosure reference · Resident not specified
A furnished plywood vivarium with reported dimensions
A glass-fronted plywood enclosure with planting and a raised shelf.
View project detailsUnderstand the animal
before planning its care.
Every species has its own way of living. Our guides connect those natural behaviors to the choices you make at home, from a secure hide to a well-placed branch.
How we approach care