Category: Reptile Basic Care Guides

Care level: Intermediate

Temperament: Active and jumpy; may be able to get used to handling but often not handleable

Behavior: diurnal, arboreal, solitary (semi-social in the wild when breeding)

Minimum enclosure size: 24×24×24” (60×60×60cm)

Basking spot temp (surface): 90°F (32°C)

Cold side temp: 75-80°F (24-27°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 65-75°F (18-24°C)

UVB: UVI 2-4/ Ferguson zone 2-3 (e.g. Arcadia T5HO 6% at 11-16” (28-41cm) away with no mesh or 7-11” (18-28cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 60-70%

Diet: Insectivorous

Adult size: Up to 8.5″ (21cm)

Wild Distribution: many habitats including urban/suburban areas throughout southeastern United States (Anolis carolinensis) and Central America/Caribbean (Anolis sagrei)

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

ReptiFiles Guide – Green Anole

Dubia.com Guide – Brown/Green Anole

ADW – Anolis sagrei (formerly Norops sagrei)

ADW – Anolis carolinensis

Care level: Intermediate

Temperament: Defensive; very willing to bite, not usually very handleable at all although captive-bred individuals can be better

Behavior: crepuscular, arboreal, solitary (semi-social in the wild when breeding)

Minimum enclosure size: 24×24×36” (60×60×90cm) 

Basking spot temp (surface): 95-105°F (35-40.5°C)

Cold side temp: 70-75°F (21-24°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 65-70°F (18-21°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller Arboreal 2.5% at 2-4″ (5-10cm) with no mesh or Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 12+” (30+cm) with typical mesh)

Humidity: 60-80%

Diet: Insectivore; assortment of insect and invertebrate feeders with small vertebrate feeders infrequently

Adult size: Males – 13-16” (35-40cm); females – 8-12” (20-30cm)

Wild Distribution: tropical rainforests and urban areas throughout southeast Asia; invasive in Florida and Hawaii

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

ReptiFiles Guide – Tokay Gecko

Dubia.com Guide – Tokay Gecko

ADW – Gekko gecko

Care level: Beginner

Temperament: Generally docile

Behavior: crepuscular, terrestrial/fossorial, solitary

Minimum enclosure size: 40B (36×18×18”(90×45×45cm))

Basking spot temp (surface): 88–90°F (31–32°C)

Cold side temp: 75–80 F (24-27°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 60°F (16°C)

UVB: UVI 1-3/Ferguson zone 2 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 12-15” (30-40cm) away with no mesh or Arcadia T5HO 6% at 11-21”(28-54cm) away with typical mesh) 

Humidity: under 60% (higher while shedding and should have access to humid hide)

Diet: Carnivorous; mainly mammals although also can eat avians, reptiles, and amphibians

Adult size: 2-3’ (60-90cm); males smaller than females

Wild Distribution: dry shrublands, deserts and semi-deserts in the southwestern US and nearby regions of Mexico

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

ReptiFiles Guide – Rosy Boa

Dubia.com Guide – Rosy Boa

ADW – Lichanura trivirgata (formerly Charina trivirgata)

Care level: Beginner

Temperament: Generally docile and handleable although they can be jumpy

Behavior: crepuscular, arboreal/semi-arboreal, solitary

Minimum enclosure size: 18×18×24” (45×45×60cm)

Basking spot temp (surface): 77-84°F (25-29°C)

Cold side temp: 72-74°F (22-23°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 60°F (16°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller Arboreal 2.5% at 2-4″ (5-10cm) with no mesh or Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 12+” (30+cm) with typical mesh)

Humidity: 50-70% (dips to 50% before misting)

Diet: Omnivorous; crested gecko diet like Pangea or Repashy and live insects

Adult size: 8-10” (20-25cm)

Wild Distribution: humid and montane forests throughout New Caledonia

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

ReptiFiles Guide – Gargoyle Gecko

Happy Dragons Guide – Gargoyle Gecko

Dubia.com Guide – Gargoyle Gecko

IUCN – Rhacodactylus auriculatus

Care level: Beginner

Temperament: Generally docile, but often shy and reclusive

Behavior: crepuscular, terrestrial/fossorial, solitary

Minimum enclosure size: Male – 20L (30×12×12” (75×30×30cm)); female – 40B (36×18×18” (90×45×45cm))

Basking spot temp (surface): 94–95°F (34–35°C)

Cold side temp: 78-83°F (26–28°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 65-70°F (18-21°C)

UVB: UVI 1-3/Ferguson zone 2 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 12-15” (30-40cm) away with no mesh or Arcadia T5HO 6% at 11-21” (28-54cm) away with typical mesh) 

Humidity: Around 30% (higher while shedding and should have access to humid hide)

Diet: Carnivorous; mammals and occasionally avians and reptiles

Adult size: Male – 12-20” (30-50cm); female – 2-3’ (60-90cm)

Wild Distribution: arid habitats such as savannas, shrublands, deserts and grasslands in various countries throughout Africa, mainly Niger, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

ReptiFiles Guide – Kenyan Sand Boa

Dubia.com Guide – Kenyan Sand Boa

IUCN – Eryx colubrinus

Care level: Intermediate

Temperament: Can be skittish and bitey as babies but usually are docile as adults once used to handling

Behavior: crepuscular, terrestrial/semi-arboreal, solitary

Minimum enclosure size: Males – 40B (36×18×18” (1×0.5×0.5m)); females – 4×2×2’ (1.2×0.6×0.6m)

Basking spot temp (surface): 90°F (32°C)

Cold side temp: 70-75°F (20-25°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 60°F (16°C)

UVB: UVI 1-3/Ferguson zone 2 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 12-15” (30-40cm) away with no mesh or Arcadia T5HO 6% at 11-21”(28-54cm) away with typical mesh) 

Humidity: B. fuliginosus – 60-80+%; B. capensis – 40-60%

Diet: Carnivorous; generally prefer lizards such as geckos but in captivity will eat mainly mammals with occasional small avians, amphibians and reptiles

Adult size: Males – 2-2.5’ (60-76cm); females 3-4’ (1-1.2m)

Wild Distribution: B. capensis – variety of arid/semi-arid habitats (savannas, forests, shrublands, grasslands, etc.) and urbans areas across most of southern, central and east Africa; B. fuliginosus – tropical/temperate habitats (grasslands, wetlands, etc.) and urban areas throughout central/west Africa

(guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other resources:

Guide by mandi#6740 – African house snake

IUCN – Boaedon capensis

IUCN – Boaedon fuliginosus

Care level: Intermediate-advanced 

Temperament: Defensive, shy, anxious 

Behavior: crepuscular, terrestrial, solitary

Minimum enclosure size: 4×2×2’ (1.2×0.6×0.6m); additional 1’ (30cm) in enclosure length for each 1′ (30cm) of snake over 5’ (1.5m)

Basking spot temp (surface): 88-92°F (32-33°C) 

Cold side temp: 76-80°F (24-27°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 65-70°F (18-21°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 70-80% 

Diet: Carnivorous; mammals, avian variety can be added 

Adult size: 5-8’ (1.5-2.5m)

Wild Distribution: rainforests, marshes, swamps and other areas near water throughout various islands in southeast Asia

Other notes: These snakes have a nasty reputation, but they make amazing pets when properly cared for and reared.

(guide written with contributions from Offline#8045)

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Other Resources:

Dubia.com Guide – Blood Python

Care level: Beginner-intermediate 

Temperament: Docile, shy; usually handleable

Behavior: crepuscular, terrestrial/semi-arboreal (males more arboreal than females), solitary

Minimum enclosure size: 4×2×2’ (1.2×0.6×0.6m)

Basking spot temp (surface): 95-104°F (35-40°C)

Cold side temp: 72-80°F (22-27°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 70-78°F (21-26°C)

UVB: UVI 1-3/Ferguson zone 2 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 12-15” (30-40cm) away with no mesh or Arcadia T5HO 6% at 11-21 (28-54cm) away with typical mesh) 

Humidity: 60-80%

Diet: Carnivorous; mammals and avians; males primarily avians

Adult size: 3-5’ (1-1.5m)

Wild Distribution: grasslands and open forests of west and central Africa

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

Reptifiles Guide – Ball Python

Happy Dragons Guide – Ball Python

Dubia.com Guide – Ball Python

Facebook Group: Not Just A Pet Rock (Python regius)

ADW – Python regius

Care level: Beginner 

Temperament: Docile, curious; generally handleable

Behavior: crepuscular, terrestrial/semi-arboreal, solitary

Minimum enclosure size: 4x2x2’ (1.2×0.6×0.6m); additional 1’ (30cm) of length for each 1′ (30cm) of snake over 4’ (1.2m)

Basking spot temp (surface): 90°F (32°C)

Cold side temp: 75°F (24°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 60°F (16°C)

UVB: UVI 1-3/Ferguson zone 2 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 12-15” (30-40cm) away with no mesh or Arcadia T5HO 6% at 11-21 (28-54cm) away with typical mesh) 

Humidity: 60-75%

Diet: Carnivorous; mostly mammalian, some avian prey on occasion 

Adult size: 3-5’ (1-1.5m), rarely over 4’ if pure corn and no other rat snake content

Wild Distribution: various habitats such as woodlands, meadowlands, and urban areas in southeastern United States

(Guide written with contributions by Offline#8045)

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Other Resources:

Reptifiles Guide – Corn Snake

Dubia.com Guide – Corn Snake

Happy Dragons Guide – Corn Snake

ADW – Pantherophis guttatus

Facebook Group – Corn Snakes – Advancing Husbandry

Care level: Beginner

Temperament: Generally docile and handleable

Behavior: crepuscular, terrestrial (will use climbing enrichment when offered), solitary

Minimum enclosure size: 40B – 36×18×18” (1×0.5×0.5m)

Basking spot temp (surface): 90°F (32°C)

Cold side temp: 72-77°F (22-25°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 60°F (16°C)

UVB: UVI 1-3/Ferguson zone 1-2 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 12-15” (30-40cm) away with no mesh or Arcadia T5HO 6% at 11-21” (28-54cm) away with typical mesh)

Humidity: April-October – 70-80%; November-March – around 50%

Diet: Variety of insects and other invertebrate feeders

Adult size: 8-10” (20-25cm)

Wild Distribution: rocky woodlands and savannas throughout west Africa

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

Reptifiles Guide – African Fat-Tailed Gecko

Happy Dragons Guide – African Fat-Tailed Gecko

Dubia.com Guide – African Fat-Tailed Gecko

ADW – Hemitheconyx caudicinctus

Facebook Group – African Fat Tail – Advancing Husbandry