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

A deceptive dartfrog is unmasked • Featuring reports about the discovery of a remarkable early snake on the south coast of England, which has provided fascinating insights into the development of this group of reptiles, plus how the origins of the killer chytrid virus that has decimated amphibian population worldwide have finally been unmasked, plus a significant advance in our knowledge about the development of lizards and more, including a new group of tarantulas found in Saudi Arabia, while beginning here with an investigation into a mysterious South American dartfrog.

NEW SNAKE FOUND IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND

The origins of chytrid traced

Another amphibian virus investigated

Feisty new tarantula species found

Insight into the early origins of lizards

When mosasaurs invaded rivers

The top five geckos • Long-standing reptile breeder Timothy Zedi discusses five species of gecko that represent ideal choices for enthusiasts of all levels of experience.

Breeding difficulties in a Kenyan sand boa • It can be difficult when breeding snakes, especially for the f irst time, to determine what is normal, and what isn’t, so if in doubt, it is always advisable to seek experienced veterinary advice. Specialist veterinary surgeon Dr Joanna Hedley, BVM&S, DZooMed (Reptilian), DECZM (Herpetology), MRCVS explains more.

Choosing the right bedding for your reptile • In this article, Anthony Iglesias of LBS looks at two excellent newer types of substrate now being used increasingly for reptiles, explaining their uses and benefits.

Keeping stick insects

REPTILE FOCUS • Broadley's flat lizard (Platysaurus broadleyi)

Corn snakes and lighting • As to whether or not UV lighting has a beneficial impact on snakes remains controversial. In an attempt to get a better scientific understanding of the situation though, Abigail Nail set out to investigate whether exposure to UVB lighting can influence the growth rate and behaviour of hatchling corn snakes

Spots and stripes • Botswana is home to a relatively small number of different tortoises and turtles. In this article, Paul Donovan describes one of the country’s best-known species, which shares its name with that of one of Africa’s big cats.

Eco Exotics - reptile-keeping reminiscences • Discover the truth about small reticulated pythons, that are much easier for most people to accommodate and look after than their mainland cousins. John Courteney-Smith also recalls his discussion about a group of little-known yet stunning tree lizards on his visit to Eco Exotics.

First breeding of the world's largest treefrog • This breakthrough with Fea’s treefrog has contributed not just to knowledge about this species, but also other members of the group. Anna A. Bagaturova and Mikhail F. Bagaturov describe their findings.

VET TALK • Dr Sean McCormack BSc (Hons), MVB, MRCVS qualified as a veterinary surgeon from University College Dublin and started his career in a domestic, exotics and zoo practice in Kent. After working in domestic and exotic pet practicess for six years, he then moved to a role in industry, in the pet nutrition field. Here he talks about the challenges that the exotics area of veterinary medicine provides, and what reptile owners need to consider, when it comes to...