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

How frogs and lizards may revolutionise cancer treatment • Featuring reports about the discovery of a trio of distinctive frogs found high in the Peruvian Andes, a previously little-understood danger for hatchling loggerhead turtles, Antarctica's only native insect revealing just how badly polluted the planet is, and more, including why unique wild colour morphs are disappearing in the case of a widely-distributed lizard, and fears about the impacts of sound on sea turtles, while beginning here with a truly stunning scientific discovery with huge implications for human health.

NEW FROGS DISCOVERED IN THE ANDES

“Hulk lizard” knocks out an ancient colour palette

Battling hybrid salamanders

Sounding off: a danger to sea turtles

Killer crabs target young turtle hatchlings

Microplastics found in Antarctica's only native insect

The tale of two pterosaurs

My top five rat snakes • Experienced snake-keeper and breeder Timothy Zedi lists his five favourite species of rat snake, focusing on their natural history, temperament, and husbandry needs, and highlighting their individual appeal.

JOANNA'S CASEBOOK • Dental problems can be serious, and may impact on a lizard's ability to eat, resulting in a loss of condition. Specialist veterinary surgeon Dr Joanna Hedley, BVM&S, DZooMed (Reptilian), DECZM (Herpetology), MRCVS explains more.

Dental issues in bearded dragons

Turning Over A New Leaf! • Insects have not only developed to look like sticks to conceal their presence and avoid predators. There are also some that closely-resemble leaves, although they are generally not regarded as being as easy to keep as their stick insect cousins.

Looking after ocellated lizards

REPTILE FOCUS • Dione's rat snake (Elaphe dione)

Handling snakes • The body shape of snakes can pose particular issues when it comes to picking up and handling them, as reptile enthusiast and veterinary surgeon Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr reveals.

Keeping sulcata tortoises • Dr James Brereton and Mark Myhill profile the care of a large species of tortoise that can be trained.

New thoughts on planted vivariums • As one of the pioneers of naturalistic vivarium planting, Dr Jason Randall has more experience than most in this area. Here in the first of a two part series, he discusses the maintenance of such enclosures, and how to regenerate a set-up for new occupants.

The stark beauty of reptiles and invertebrates • Many people will have heard of the artist Damien Hirst, and his forays into animal preservation. But not everyone who works in this area relates particularly to what Hirst has done, as Susie Kearley reports. Some see the creatures themselves as worthy of more respect.

GIGANTIC frogs and toads • Paul Donovan considers five mega-large members of this group which have featured in the hobby, outlining their lifestyles and care.

Practical Reptile Keeping