Reptiles · Health
Why won't my reptile shed properly?
A patchy or stuck shed almost always comes back to humidity, not illness. Here is what causes it, how to help safely, and when retained shed needs a vet.
Articles by Hannah Cole
Reptiles · Breeds
Crested gecko care, and how it differs from other beginner reptiles
Crested geckos are among the most recommended first reptiles, but their care runs almost opposite to a leopard gecko's in places. Here is what they actually need, including the heat mistake that catches out a lot of new keepers.
Reptiles · Health
Signs of a respiratory infection in reptiles
Wheezing, mucus around the mouth or nose, and breathing with the mouth open are the classic signs, and low humidity or the wrong temperature is usually behind it. Here is what to look for and when it is a vet visit, not a wait-and-see.
Reptiles · Breeds
Ball python care, and is it the right first snake
The ball python is the most commonly kept pet snake for good reason. Here is an honest look at what it actually needs, what it is like to own, and who it suits.
Reptiles · Breeds
Bearded dragon care, a beginner guide to a big-personality lizard
Bearded dragons are friendly, engaging, and popular, but they need serious kit to keep well, especially UVB and heat. Here is honest care for one of the most characterful pet reptiles.
Reptiles · Breeds
Corn snake care, one of the best beginner snakes
Corn snakes are docile, hardy, manageable, and among the most recommended first snakes. Here is what they need, what they are like to keep, and who they suit.
Reptiles · Behaviour
How to handle your reptile without stressing it
Reptiles do not crave handling the way a dog does, but many can learn to tolerate it calmly. Here is how to build that up gently, and how to read when your reptile has had enough.
Reptiles · Breeds
Leopard gecko care, and is it the right first reptile
Leopard geckos are one of the most recommended beginner reptiles, and for good reason. Here is an honest look at what they need, what they are like to keep, and who they suit.
Reptiles · Health
Why UVB and heat matter so much for reptiles
Get the lighting and heat wrong and a reptile slowly develops crippling bone disease, the most common preventable illness in captive reptiles. Here is why they matter, and how to get them right.
Reptiles · Behaviour
What your reptile's behaviour is telling you
Glass surfing, hiding, colour changes, gaping. Reptile behaviour looks mysterious until you learn to read it, and most of it comes back to the enclosure. Here is the translation.
Reptiles · Breeds
The best reptiles for a beginner
The right first reptile is forgiving, well-understood, and matched to a setup you can actually run. Here is how to choose one, and why the enclosure decides everything.
Reptiles · Food
Feeding your reptile the right diet and supplements
Getting a reptile's diet right is more than dropping in crickets. Here is how to feed the main reptile types, and why the calcium dust and gut-loading are not optional.
Reptiles · Health
Why won't my reptile eat
A reptile that stops eating panics new keepers, but the cause is usually the enclosure, not illness. Here is what to check first, and when it really is a vet job.