Reptiles, Rodents & Small Pets

"Mouth rot," also called "stomatitis" or "canker," describes a variety of bacterial, fungal and viral infections that are common among reptiles in captivity. Mouth rot may cause the animal to...

Even though cedar chips and pine chips are used commonly as the bottom layer for reptile aquariums, the chips are actually very bad for the reptile. Cedar and pine give off fumes that cause skin...

Finding your iguana with a broken leg is distressing for any owner. Having it occur after the reptile vet office is closed can be even more worrisome. Diagnosing the type of fracture and...

Reptiles are cold-blooded creatures, and they need to have a certain median heat around them at all times or else they will become cold and die quickly. Most reptile cages, except those in areas...

A dual light stand that provides both heat and light is essential for any reptile enclosure, and tortoises need both UVA and UVB lamps to stay healthy and happy. UVA rays simulate natural sunshine...

Pediatric metabolic bone disease is an issue with reptiles because when the animals are purchased from a pet store the new owner is given insufficient information on the care and feeding of their...

Leopard geckos are commonly kept as pets and are considered relatively easy to care for, but these reptiles can contract some illnesses that may cause them to lose their appetite. Feeding sick...

Although some people enjoy keeping mice as pets, the rodents also can be raised to serve another purpose: food for carnivorous animals, especially reptiles. If you plan to raise mice to feed to...

Metabolic bone disease, or MBD, is a term that is used to describe a variety of conditions in reptiles that involve the deterioration of their bones. The most commonly affected reptile is the...

The rough green snake, Opheodrys aestivus, is typically known for its pleasant temperament, but this trait can vary between individuals. Most domesticated snakes are usually sweet and enjoy being...

Choosing a Leopard Gecko can be fun, exciting and can teach you or someone else how to care for a moderately easy to care for pet. But you will need a ten gallon reptile/aquarium tank for the habitat.

Owning a pet snake requires much more care than many people may realize. There is a lot to learn about the habitat requirements, dietary needs and especially the proper health care of your pet...

Caring for a reptile takes time and effort. A reptile should always have a clean terrarium that is clear of pests. Cleaning out a reptile terrarium helps your reptile to remain healthy and happy,...

A snake goes through many transition stages in their life cycle, such as hatching from an egg, reaching sexual maturity and growing old. Learn how a neonate snake matures into an adult snake in...

Snake eggs hatch at different times depending on their species; however, most snake eggs incubate for about 60 days. Identify snake eggs by their leathery, soft texture with the help of this free...

Not all snakes hibernate, but most snakes that hibernate do so during the cold months of fall and winter. Learn how a snake prepares for hibernation by eating and recognizing temperature or...

A snake grows by shedding it skins, and depending on the age of the snake, the skin may be shed every week or once a year. Discover how a snake sheds its skin using its natural environment with...

When keeping a snake in captivity, there are several different types of enclosures to use, such as aquariums and commercial housing units; however, make sure the snake's environmental needs are...

Snake's use their tongue to smell, which is used to sense movement, distance, prey and predators. Find out how the Jacobsen's organ is used to help a snake survive in this free video on snakes...

Before a snake starts to shed its skin, their color becomes dull, and their eyes turn a bluish hue; then, a snake begins shedding its skin by rubbing a nose against something hard. Find out more...

The distance of a snake's strike depends on the type of snake and the snake's size; however, most experts agree that a snake can strike anywhere from half to two-thirds for their body length....

Garter snakes, often called garden snakes, can have between seven to 87 babies. Identify garter snakes by learning their markings with this free video from a reptile specialist.

Depending on the species of the snake, snake eyes can be black, colored, slit vertically or slit horizontally. Find out how these variations in snake's eyes can help them capture pray, in this...

Snakes move in the water by using horizontal undulatory progression, which flattens their inner belly in order to glide through the water with ease. Learn about the benefits of moving in the water...

Snakes identify movement by using three primary senses, which include the sense of touch, smell and heat, and by using their Jacobson's Organ, snakes can judge the distance and direction of...

Mini turtles don't need a large habitat, but they may require a good combination of mixed greens. Find out about the differences in mini-turtles from a reptile specialist in this free video on...

The diet of a turtle varies depending on the species. Discover why desert tortoises prefer cactus and how lettuce lacks nutritional value with tips from a reptile specialist in this free video on...

After getting a wild turtle, the first thing a pet owner should do is take it to the veterinarian to be dewormed. Take care of a wild turtle by simulating its natural habitat with tips from a...

Snapping turtles are dangerous and should always be grabbed by the back of their tail and held away from the body. Take care of snapping turtles by providing a proper diet with tips from a reptile...

Painted turtles require a 20-gallon tank filtration system, heat lamps and a rock or log. Take care of a painted turtle using proper hygiene with tips from a reptile specialist in this free video...

Freshwater turtles eat fish, minnows, plants, leeches and many other foods. Learn about the diet of freshwater turtles, and why pet owners should feed them vegetables, with tips from a reptile...

A desert tortoise's environment should have a mixture of sand, some rocks to climb on and heat lamps. Take care of desert tortoises and provided a proper diet with tips from a reptile specialist...

Turtle tanks need to be cleaned thoroughly, including changing out sand and filtration pumps. Clean a turtle tank by scrubbing out algae and using a bleach mixture with tips from a reptile...

Most of the aquatic turtles that people keep as pets are mud turtles or red ear sliders. Set up an aquatic turtle's habitat by buying a properly-sized tank with tips from a reptile specialist in...

Algae should be scrubbed off of a turtle's shell so that it doesn't stay permanently attached. Clean turtle shells of green algae and scutes with tips from a reptile specialist in this free video...

The sex of red-eared slider turtles can be determined by looking at the length of their nails and their chest cavities. Look for long claws and chest indentations in male turtles with tips from a...

Quick signs of a turtle's death include smell, sunken eyes and no movement. Determine if a pet turtle has passed away, despite a possible lack of warning signs, with tips from a reptile specialist...

Box turtles pull all of their body into their shell when they are scared to protect from predators. Take care of box turtles by giving them a lot of room and providing a moist environment with...

Land turtles should be taken outside on occasion because heat lamps can't simulate UV rays. Take care of land turtles by providing an area that simulates their natural habitat with tips from a...

Learning information about turtles can help pet owners keep their reptile friends from developing deformities. Discover facts about turtles, such as how to identify bone diseases, with tips from a...

The foods that turtles eat vary depending on the species. Find out facts about turtle food, such as the land tortoise's preference of wild crickets and earthworms, with tips from a reptile...

Box turtles like to eat mixed greens, while tortoises prefer wild grasses, cacti and flowers. Learn about turtle eating habits and supplementing a pet turtle's diet with tips from a reptile...

Some symptoms of turtle diseases include bubbles coming out of the nostrils and diarrhea. Look out for symptoms of turtle diseases, such as upper respiratory infections, with tips from a reptile...

Pet turtles often start depending on their owner for food and recognizing their owner's scheduling. Learn about turtle behaviors and personality traits from a reptile specialist in this free video...

The reasons for turtles refusing to eat include confusion about the season and upper respiratory infection. Find out why a pet turtle isn't eating with advice from a reptile specialist in this...

Field guides and reference books are the best resources for identifying turtle breeds. Discover the differences between desert tortoises and other turtles with tips from a reptile specialist in...

When taking care of turtles, remember that different species require different cage setups. Create a good environment for a pet turtle and feed it properly with tips from a reptile specialist in...

A turtle tank setup should include heat lamps, rocks, cacti and a basking area. Set up a turtle tank and try to recreate its natural habitat with tips from a reptile specialist in this free video...

To care for a Jones armadillo lizard, keep them in a dry environment. Learn how to care for a Jones armadillo lizard with expert tips from a reptile specialist in this free video about pet care.

UV light is important to Chinese water dragon care. Discover more about caring for Chinese water dragon with expert tips from a reptile specialist in this free video about pet care.