Reptile FAQs
Where can I buy live reptiles online with confidence?
We listed a few top quality companies on our Buying Reptiles Online page, and highly recommend all of them. This includes Backwater Reptiles (at BackwaterReptiles.com), Brian Sharp Reptiles (at BrianSharpReptiles.com), Glades Herp (at Gherp.com), Pet Rock Reptiles (at PetRockReptiles.com), and Philippe de Vosjoli Reptiles (at GiantGeckos.com).
How are live reptiles packed and shipped to me?
Every reputable online live reptile seller ships via overnight delivery. Preferably with a morning delivery so that animals aren't on the delivery truck for longer than necessary. The reptiles (or amphibians) are usually packed in styrofoam insulated cardboard boxes with plenty of shredded newspaper or similar packing material to further insulate and protect the animal. The animal itself is usually carefully located in a secured cloth bag or a see-through dixie cup with sphagnum moss or damp paper towels inside.
Do you recommend any good reptile books?
Yes, here is our page on reptile books.
What are some good reptile feeder options?
Visit our reptile feeder page for answers.
Is there a way to help my reptile's stuck shed?
Don't pull it off. The best thing to do to let the lizard or snake spend 15 to 30 minutes in a shallow pan of warm water. This should loosen the skin and allow for a much easier shed. This practice is good to do on a recurring basis, as it helps prevent the loss of toes (the skin around the toes, if not shed properly, will constrict blood flow and lead to the loss of the toe).
Are reptiles or amphibians intelligent?
Snakes…not so much. They can learn association (feeding time), but that's about it. Turtles and tortoises are more intelligent, and can learn simple routines. Lizards are perhaps the most intelligent of all, most notably iguanas and monitors. They can learn remedial problem solving and simple routines. Newts and salamanders can very quickly learn to recognize feeding time and can actually beg for food.
Are there species that tend to tame more easily?
Based on our experiences, yes, including savannah monitors, water monitors, bearded dragons, corn snakes, milk snakes, ball pythons, most tortoises, most turtles, blue tongue skinks, most newts, most salamanders, frilled dragons, leopard geckos, crested geckos, red tail boas, solomon island ground boas, sand boas, most king snakes, burmese pythons, many rat snakes, and plated lizards. This is just a small list, but it gives you a general idea of standout species. Many reptiles will learn to tolerate handling once they learn to trust you.
Are there species that tend to be harder to tame?
Yes, the list includes tokay geckos, nile monitors, green/black/blue/yellow tree monitors, reticulated pythons, snapping turtles, amphiumas, small skinks, and soft-shelled turtles. There are, of course, exceptions.
Are there any organizations I should join as a reptile/amphibian hobbyist?
Yes, we encourage all reptile and amphibian hobbyists to join USARK (USARK.org) as soon as possible. They work to protect our rights as reptile hobbyists. We avoid donating to organizations such as the Humane Society, as their ultimate agenda, while not actively publicized, is to outlaw all pets in the United States. Don't believe us? Do some research.
We listed a few top quality companies on our Buying Reptiles Online page, and highly recommend all of them. This includes Backwater Reptiles (at BackwaterReptiles.com), Brian Sharp Reptiles (at BrianSharpReptiles.com), Glades Herp (at Gherp.com), Pet Rock Reptiles (at PetRockReptiles.com), and Philippe de Vosjoli Reptiles (at GiantGeckos.com).
How are live reptiles packed and shipped to me?
Every reputable online live reptile seller ships via overnight delivery. Preferably with a morning delivery so that animals aren't on the delivery truck for longer than necessary. The reptiles (or amphibians) are usually packed in styrofoam insulated cardboard boxes with plenty of shredded newspaper or similar packing material to further insulate and protect the animal. The animal itself is usually carefully located in a secured cloth bag or a see-through dixie cup with sphagnum moss or damp paper towels inside.
Do you recommend any good reptile books?
Yes, here is our page on reptile books.
What are some good reptile feeder options?
Visit our reptile feeder page for answers.
Is there a way to help my reptile's stuck shed?
Don't pull it off. The best thing to do to let the lizard or snake spend 15 to 30 minutes in a shallow pan of warm water. This should loosen the skin and allow for a much easier shed. This practice is good to do on a recurring basis, as it helps prevent the loss of toes (the skin around the toes, if not shed properly, will constrict blood flow and lead to the loss of the toe).
Are reptiles or amphibians intelligent?
Snakes…not so much. They can learn association (feeding time), but that's about it. Turtles and tortoises are more intelligent, and can learn simple routines. Lizards are perhaps the most intelligent of all, most notably iguanas and monitors. They can learn remedial problem solving and simple routines. Newts and salamanders can very quickly learn to recognize feeding time and can actually beg for food.
Are there species that tend to tame more easily?
Based on our experiences, yes, including savannah monitors, water monitors, bearded dragons, corn snakes, milk snakes, ball pythons, most tortoises, most turtles, blue tongue skinks, most newts, most salamanders, frilled dragons, leopard geckos, crested geckos, red tail boas, solomon island ground boas, sand boas, most king snakes, burmese pythons, many rat snakes, and plated lizards. This is just a small list, but it gives you a general idea of standout species. Many reptiles will learn to tolerate handling once they learn to trust you.
Are there species that tend to be harder to tame?
Yes, the list includes tokay geckos, nile monitors, green/black/blue/yellow tree monitors, reticulated pythons, snapping turtles, amphiumas, small skinks, and soft-shelled turtles. There are, of course, exceptions.
Are there any organizations I should join as a reptile/amphibian hobbyist?
Yes, we encourage all reptile and amphibian hobbyists to join USARK (USARK.org) as soon as possible. They work to protect our rights as reptile hobbyists. We avoid donating to organizations such as the Humane Society, as their ultimate agenda, while not actively publicized, is to outlaw all pets in the United States. Don't believe us? Do some research.