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.

Welcome

World's second smallest vertebrate discovered • Featuring stories that include the discovery of a new species of gecko from South America, why early crocodilians were not deep-divers, the reason that Burmese pythons can take larger prey than related snakes, and more, starting here with the discovery of a tiny amphibian which ranks as one of the smallest vertebrates in the world, and why scientists are now taking a particular interest in how animals have shrunk their size to tiny proportions, as well as why snakes are being studied in the hope of treating heart disease in humans.

Researcher aims to solve the riddle of miniature animals

New gecko found in Venezuela

Monstrous food intake

Python studies could help to treat human heart disease

Why crocodiles could not dive to the depths

Bouncing back

The care and breeding of African egg-eating snakes • Many snakes are generalists, in terms of the prey that they seek, but others can prove to be highly specialised in terms of their feeding habits, as reflected by the African egg-eating snakes. Here South African breeder Timothy Zedi discusses the care and breeding of three species belonging to this group which are native to this part of the continent, and could prove to be an ideal choice if you do not want a snake that has to be fed on rats and similar foods.

Caring for Crocodile Skinks • They may only be small, but these members of the skink family, which look rather like miniature crocodiles, are fascinating and deserve to be more popular. David Alderton discusses their appeal with enthusiast Dean Carguillo.

Know your Crocodile Skink

Sexing

Amazing lizard facts • Dutch researchers have calculated that a chameleon’s tongue shoots out of its mouth at a speed equivalent to 21.6kph (13.4mph).

Leopard gecko showcase • Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) rank amongst the most popular of all lizards, thanks in part to the ever-increasing range of colour forms. Don Harper reports.

Starting out

A lizard of many names

REPTILE FOCUS

Rainbows in Madagascar • It’s been called – with justification – the most beautiful amphibian on the planet. Joshua Ralph describes the Madagascan rainbow burrowing frog, which is restricted to the island of Madagascar, and reveals just why this stunning and fascinating species is facing an increasingly uncertain future today.

Hook, line and sweetcorn…

IN THE FRAME • Professional photographer Sean Cameron, LRPS describes his experiences working with venomous reptiles, his long-standing interest in this group of creatures, and he also reveals some of the tricks of the trade, to help you take better pictures of your pets.

Getting started

A brief explantion of photography basics

Difference in formats

Getting to know you Taming green iguanas & understanding their behaviour • While the behaviour of long-standing pets such as dogs and cats, in terms of the way they react to people, is relatively well-documented, this has only recently happened in the case of green iguanas. Hannah Salisbury M.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons) AnSci discusses taming and behavioural problems that owners can encounter.

Keeping tarantulas WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW • Keeping spiders as a hobby is something...