The 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?
Explore reptile care guides
Choose an animal to read about its housing, food and care.
LizardsBearded dragon
Pogona vitticeps
Species introduction · Some experience
Around 10–15 years or longer
SnakesBall python
Python regius
Researched care guide · Some experience
Potentially 30 years or more
Turtles & tortoisesRussian tortoise
Testudo horsfieldii
Species introduction · Some experience
Several decades; 60 years or longer is possible
LizardsLeopard gecko
Eublepharis macularius
Researched care guide · Getting started
Plan for 20 years or longer
SnakesCorn snake
Pantherophis guttatus
Researched care guide · Getting started
May live 20 years or more
Turtles & tortoisesRed-eared slider
Trachemys scripta elegans
Species introduction · Some experience
Around 20–30 years; longer lives occur
LizardsCrested gecko
Correlophus ciliatus
Researched care guide · Some experience
Around 15–20 years
SnakesBoa imperator
Boa imperator
Species introduction · Experienced keeper
A commitment measured in decades; 40+ years is possible
Turtles & tortoisesCommon musk turtle
Sternotherus odoratus
Species introduction · Some experience
30–50 years in the cited veterinary guide
LizardsBlue-tongued skink
Tiliqua scincoides
Species introduction · Some experience
Around 15–20 years, with longer lives reported
SnakesKenyan sand boa
Eryx colubrinus
Species introduction · Some experience
15–30 years in protected care reported
Turtles & tortoisesPainted turtle
Chrysemys picta
Species introduction · Some experience
Up to 40 years in the cited care source; plan for a long commitment
LizardsGargoyle gecko
Rhacodactylus auriculatus
Species introduction · Some experience
Plan for 20–25 years; the linked breeder reports individuals past twenty.
SnakesWestern hognose snake
Heterodon nasicus
Species introduction · Some experience
About 10–15 years; longer is possible.
Turtles & tortoisesEastern box turtle
Terrapene carolina carolina
Species introduction · Some experience
40+ years; exceptional box turtles live far longer
LizardsGreen anole
Anolis carolinensis
Species introduction · Some experience
Around 4–8 years
SnakesCalifornia kingsnake
Lampropeltis californiae
Species introduction · Getting started
20 years or more.
Turtles & tortoisesHermann’s tortoise
Testudo hermanni
Species introduction · Some experience
50+ years; some Mediterranean tortoises approach a century
LizardsAckie monitor
Varanus acanthurus
Species introduction · Experienced keeper
At least 15 years is possible with good care.
SnakesChildren’s python
Antaresia childreni
Species introduction · Some experience
20–30 years reported
Turtles & tortoisesGreek tortoise
Testudo graeca
Species introduction · Experienced keeper
50+ years; plan for succession care
LizardsPanther chameleon
Furcifer pardalis
Species introduction · Experienced keeper
Several years of daily care; sex and reproductive history affect longevity.
SnakesMexican black kingsnake
Lampropeltis nigrita
Species introduction · Getting started
20 years or more.
Turtles & tortoisesRed-footed tortoise
Chelonoidis carbonaria
Species introduction · Some experience
50 years or longer is possible
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Build your enclosure.
Wooden shells with locally sourced materials and illustrated instructions.
Explore enclosure guidesUnderstand 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