Expert Reptile Care Tips & Guides

Reptile care guides, health advice, and species information written by keepers with 15+ years of hands-on experience with leopard geckos, bearded dragons, crested geckos, ball pythons, and more.

Draco - James Bearded Dragon in his tank

Reptile Care Guides Written by Experienced Keepers

Reptile Direct is run by James and Hunter, keepers with over 25 years of combined experience. James keeps leopard geckos, bearded dragons, and crested geckos. Hunter breeds ball pythons and boas. Every guide on this site is written from direct experience with the species, not assembled from other websites. Whether you are setting up your first enclosure, working out what your reptile can eat, or troubleshooting a health issue, our guides are designed to give you a complete answer.

Pet Lizard Guides & Advice

Care guides for the most popular pet lizard species, from leopard geckos and bearded dragons to blue-tongued skinks and chameleons.

What Does A Leopard Gecko’s Diet Look Like? What Do They Eat?

A pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon brevicaudatus) at rest — the leaf-like camouflage of this East African species is extraordinary up close

Pygmy Chameleon 101: Care, Habitat Setup, Lifespan…

A bearded dragon eating vegetables from someones hand — leafy greens should form the majority of an adult beardie's plant intake

What Vegetables Can Bearded Dragons Eat? Complete Safe List

Pet Snake Guides & Advice

Care guides and feeding advice for ball pythons, corn snakes, boas, and other popular pet snake species.

A corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) coiled on a branch showing its characteristic reddish-brown and orange patterning

Corn Snake Care: Size, Diet, Lifespan, Setup & More…

An adult Dumeril's boa (Acrantophis dumerili) showing the characteristic mottled brown, grey and peach patterning

Dumeril’s Boa Care: Size, Temperament, Habitat Setup…

A Hog Island boa showing the characteristic pale hypomelanistic colouration of this Honduran island locality

Hog Island Boa 101: Care, Size, Temperament, Facts…

Frog & Amphibian Guides & Advice

Care guides for dart frogs, tree frogs, and other popular pet amphibian species.

Budgett’s Frog Care: Size, Enclosure, Lifespan & More

Tomato Frog Care: Size, Diet, Enclosure, Lifespan & More

Red-Eyed Tree Frog Care: Setup, Diet, Lifespan & More

Pet Turtle Guides & Advice

Care guides for red-eared sliders, painted turtles, box turtles, and other popular pet turtle species.

A young ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata) showing the characteristic yellow starburst patterning on the dark brown shell

Ornate Box Turtle Care: Habitat, Diet, Size, Lifespan…

A pet Reeve's turtle (Mauremys reevesii) basking under a lamp showing the characteristic three-keeled carapace

Reeve’s Turtle Care: Tank Setup, Diet, Lifespan, Size…

A turtle that appears to be without its shell

Can Turtles Live Without Their Shell? The Real Answer

Tortoise Guides & Advice

Care guides for sulcata tortoises, Russian tortoises, Hermann’s tortoises, and other species commonly kept as pets.

Sulcata Tortoise Food Guide

An adult Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) showing the characteristic pale golden shell and compact body shape

Egyptian Tortoise Care: Size, Diet, Lifespan & More!

Desert Tortoise vs. Sulcata TortDesert tortoise vs sulcata tortoise side by side comparison showing the size and shell differences between the two species

Desert Tortoise vs. Sulcata Tortoise: What Sets Them Apart?

New Reptile Owner Guides

Not sure which reptile to get, or just starting out with your first one? These guides cover the basics: which species suit beginners, what setup you need, and what to expect in the first few months of ownership.