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.

December 2024

New frog species found in Madagascar • Featuring stories that include the discovery of a remarkable burrowing amphibian, how a better understanding of the digestive system of pythons could help to treat case of Crohn's Disease and other digestive ailments in people, developments in gaining a better understanding of snake evolution, plus a remarkable new way of tracking invasive species in Florida, even when they can't be seen, fresh insights into the world's oldest known lizard and more, starting here with the incredible discovery of a group of seven new related species of frog.

Can snake research help explain human digestion?

New method for tracking invasive snakes in Florida

New research provides key insights into snake development

World's oldest known lizard emerges with its identity intact

Hunt for rare lizard to get underway

Fossil amphibians found waiting for rain in burrows

Starting with amphibians • An increasing range of amphibians are now being kept and bred today. With proper care, these animals will thrive in collections and can live surprisingly long lives: some species have a life expectancy of well over 20 years. James Brereton explains some of the main points that you need to consider when keeping these fascinating animals.

A breeding problem in a snake

Out of AfricaThe importance of invertebrates • Although often regarded as pests, insects and arachnids are basically essential to our lives, in a surprisingly varied number of ways, as Paul Donovan reveals.

Caring for flying geckos

San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia)

The arid grassland environment biobuild • Planted, bioactive vivariums have become increasingly popular and practical over recent years. Yet while the focus in this area generally tends to be on tropical rainforest set-ups, it is equally possible to replicate other types of habitat. John Courteney-Smith, MRSB, FLS and the team from Arcadia Reptile tackle an arid grassland build here in this step-by-step guide.

HOW snakes MOVE • Have you ever thought about why snakes have lost their legs? Do they find it easier to move without them? Dr Julia Mueller-Paul provides some answers.

WARNING Are you putting your collection in DANGER? • The risks posed by infectious diseases that can strike reptiles have been underestimated in the past. This situation must change in the light of new information that is now available, argues a leading veterinary surgeon in this field.

TALES FROM THE REPTILE HOUSE Tortoise derbies, melons and subterranean living • Having worked for many years as the curator of a zoological collection in Scotland, Bill Lowe eventually had the opportunity to keep a species of tortoise that he had not had the opportunity to look after himself before.

An alien invasion • In the UK, sightings of reptiles are generally not that commonplace, unless you are out actively looking in likely spots, but if you live in Florida, you will almost certainly encounter not just native but also invasive species, even in cities. Discover some of the most notorious reptiles and amphibians that are now roaming here well outside of their natural range, how they arrived and their environmental impacts.

Practical Reptile Keeping