Animal section
Reptiles
Lizards, snakes and tortoises: heat, UVB, humidity and husbandry.
Species profiles
Standardised husbandry data for each animal in this group.
Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are the most popular pet lizard for good reason: handleable, expressive and hardy when their heat and UVB needs are met precisely.
Lifespan 8–15 years · Care complexity 3/5
Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos are calm, long-lived and among the simplest reptiles to house correctly, making them the classic first lizard.
Lifespan 15–20 years · Care complexity 2/5
Corn Snake
Corn snakes are widely regarded as the best beginner snake: modest in size, calm in temperament and undemanding in their requirements.
Lifespan 15–20 years · Care complexity 2/5
Ball Python
Ball pythons are calm, long-lived snakes whose only real challenge is maintaining stable humidity and accepting their occasional refusal to eat.
Lifespan 20–30 years · Care complexity 3/5
Russian Tortoise
Russian tortoises are hardy, personable and inexpensive to feed, but they need far more floor space and a much longer commitment than most buyers expect.
Lifespan 40–75 years · Care complexity 4/5
Crested Gecko
Crested geckos need no live-food colony and no complex heating, making them one of the simplest reptiles to keep well in a planted vertical vivarium.
Lifespan 15–20 years · Care complexity 2/5
Blue-Tongued Skink
Blue-tongued skinks are sturdy, docile lizards that make one of the more approachable reptile pets thanks to their calm temperament, provided their basking and UVB needs are met precisely.
Lifespan 15–20 years, sometimes longer · Care complexity 3/5
Chinese Water Dragon
Chinese water dragons are striking, semi-aquatic lizards that need a large, tall, humid enclosure with a real pool. Their skittish nature makes them a poor fit for handling-focused keepers.
Lifespan 10–15 years · Care complexity 4/5
Leopard Tortoise
Leopard tortoises start as an appealing small hatchling but grow into one of the larger African tortoise species with a potential human lifespan. Prospective keepers must plan decades ahead and provide serious outdoor or greenhouse space.
Lifespan 50–100 years · Care complexity 5/5
Green Iguana
Green iguanas are sold small and appealing but grow into large, powerful, potentially defensive animals needing room-sized enclosures. They suit only committed, experienced keepers who plan for the true adult animal from day one.
Lifespan 12–20 years · Care complexity 5/5
Veiled Chameleon
Veiled chameleons are visually striking but genuinely fragile pets that want to be watched, not handled. Their precise humidity, UVB and drinking-water needs make them a poor first reptile despite their common availability.
Lifespan 5–8 years for males, 2–3 years for females due to egg-laying strain · Care complexity 4/5
Sulcata Tortoise
The sulcata is the world's third-largest tortoise, reaching 70 kg or more and living for 70+ years. It needs a large, warm outdoor enclosure and a high-fibre grazing diet, so few homes can truly suit it.
Lifespan 50–100+ years · Care complexity 5/5
Uromastyx
Uromastyx are hardy, herbivorous desert lizards that bask at very high temperatures. They suit keepers who can provide intense heat, strong UVB and a mostly leafy-green diet.
Lifespan 15–20 years · Care complexity 4/5
Argentine Black and White Tegu
The Argentine black and white tegu is a large, intelligent lizard that can grow beyond 1.2 m. It needs a very large enclosure, varied diet and experienced handling, and is invasive in parts of the US.
Lifespan 15–20 years · Care complexity 5/5
Guides for this group
Care, health, behaviour and nutrition reading.
Before getting a petHow to Choose the Right Pet for Your Life
A structured way to match an animal to your household, budget, schedule and housing — before emotion makes the decision for you.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07
Daily careBuilding a Daily Care Routine That Actually Sticks
Predictable routines reduce stress for animals and make it far easier to notice when something is wrong.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07
EmergenciesEmergency and Disaster Preparedness for Pets
Building a pet emergency kit, an evacuation plan and a care plan if you are suddenly unavailable.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19
EmergenciesHow to Recognise a Veterinary Emergency
The signs that mean go now, the signs that mean call today, and how to prepare before it happens.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19
Reptile healthMetabolic Bone Disease in Reptiles
The most common husbandry-related illness in captive reptiles, and how correct lighting and diet prevent it.
Petarium Editorial · 4 min read · Updated 2026-10-07
HandlingCooperative Care: Making Vet Visits and Grooming Easier
Teaching animals to participate willingly in their own care reduces stress, injury and the need for sedation.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19