Reptiles, Rodents & Small Pets

Tongueless frogs (Pipidae), including African dwarf and clawed frogs, are an interesting species of amphibians. These aquatic frogs rarely leave their watery homes unless drought or lack of food...

If you have reptiles in a terrarium, you probably have thought about ways to set up an automated misting system that will keep the animals or reptiles hydrated, without requiring you to manually...

Turtles make fun and interesting pets. Although generally easy to keep, water turtles are susceptible to illness, most often the result of malnutrition. This occurs when they are given a mainly...

Chinchillas are herbivores that need a small variety of foods to stay healthy. Pellets from pet stores or online companies make up the bulk of a chin's diet, along with hay and grass, a vitamin C...

Tadpoles are popular with children because they can be pets, or used in experiments to observe their metamorphosis into frogs. Tadpoles are often found in ponds in the spring, but catching them...

The American toad, or Bufo americanus, lives in ponds, usually blending in with the surrounding dirt and rocks. The males grow to only two inches and the females grow to four inches. Females lay...

The Netherland dwarf rabbit is, as its name suggests, a small breed. They weigh on average two pounds. There are over 35 varieties of the breed. It was originally a European rabbit and is known in...

An easy to keep, easy to feed, and easy to find unusual pet is a millipede. The African Giant Millipede is the most commonly kept. Most people can learn to care for these creatures, making them a...

There are more than 100 species of chameleons that all share a similar diet. Most are insectivores with the larger species enjoying a bird or rodent when the opportunity arises. A species few also...

Wild rabbits are often found orphaned in nature. Sometimes their parents are killed or a house pet such as a dog or cat will catch a baby rabbit and injure it. No matter the circumstances, many...

The northern water snake is a nonvenomous, beneficial snake commonly found around lakes, streams and freshwater marshes ranging from southern Ontario to North Carolina. Although they don't display...

Map turtles are also known as sawback turtles. They get their name from the map design on the back of the shell. They live near water and can be seen sitting on logs, rocks and riverbanks to soak...

Turtles can make excellent pets that reward owners with their silly dispositions. Turtles are generally long-lived and easy to care for. They do, however, require a proper environment in order to...

Many people want to keep turtles as pets, and many choose wood turtles. The problem is that these owners often do not know how difficult it can be to care for a turtle and to provide a proper and...

Incubating Leopard Geckos is rewarding and with some effort you can produce males and females with some degree of certainty. You only need a few supplies from a gardening store and Leopard Geckos...

Baby turtles are a great pet to have, especially for small children. However, because they are so young, it is vital that they receive vital care.

Aquariums convert into cool hamster cages by adding colorful hiding houses and fluffy bedding for digging and tunneling fun. Add a few hamster necessities, including a water bottle, food and chew...

Crabs are amazing little animals that make entertaining pets. Just like any other pet, they need proper care and attention paid to the details of their natural workings. At times, crabs need to...

Helpful tips on caring for hamsters.

Pet salamanders are some of the easiest pets to take care of, and are great starter pets for children. One of the first things you have to think about when buying a pet salamander is where you’re...

Iguana mites are often a problem for iguana owners. These external parasites (which look like tiny moving dots) can damage the health and happiness of captive iguanas, and will do significant harm...

Reptiles are immensely popular in the exotic pet trade, and many owners take great liberties in decorating their enclosures to represent the beauty of their natural habitats. Nothing can emulate...

The brown water snake undergoes the same life cycle stages as all other water snakes, along with most garter snakes. Brown water snakes are primarily found in bodies of water in Texas, Iowa and...

According to the EPA, there are 16 species of water penny beetles in North America. The life cycle of a water penny beetles consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. All species of the...

Here are some basic things you can do to care for African Dwarf frogs. This should at least be the minimum. There's always more, but here's the basics.

Waterfalls can be a beautiful addition to any home vivarium, which is a tank that mixes both land and water elements and is ideal for newts, salamanders, frogs, and anoles. Vivariums are very...

The Water Moccasin or Cotton Mouth snake is one of the most venomous pit vipers found mainly in the south eastern part of the United States. This article will explain how to identify this awesome...

Turtle ponds are self-sustaining, natural ecosystems. They are easy to care for and possess extensive landscaping possibilities. Raising pond turtles and introducing vibrant plants and flourishing...

House geckos originate from Southeast Asia and are very easy pets to maintain. By feeding your gecko a healthy, well-balanced diet, you can be assured you will enjoy your pet for many years to come.

Painted turtles are a lively terrapin species native to southern Canada, the United States and northern Mexico. Living in ponds and other slow-moving, muddy water sources, painted turtles have...

Turtles make wonderful pets. They are easygoing, small in size and fun to watch or interact with. They provide their owners with companionship and joy and, in turn, they should be treated with...

Painted turtles are a popular choice for pet owners looking to acquire a gentle turtle. While many reptiles are not generally at ease with frequent handling, most painted turtles can become...

The praying mantis is a very wide-ranging insect. It is large, about the size of a large grasshopper, and gets its name from the way it holds its front legs. Mantises come in a variety of colors,...

Turtles in nature depend upon their surroundings for survival. In captivity, a turtle depends upon his owner to provide a proper environment to ensure his needs are met and that he can live a...

Turtles are one of the easiest, most low-maintenance reptiles to keep as a pet. The goal of all turtle habitats is to design it just as the turtle would live in the wild, only controlled and safe....

When raising baby turtles, it's important not only to provide a healthy and safe environment but also an enjoyable and interactive one. Whether raising land or water turtles, you can have a good...

The common musk turtle exists in large numbers throughout many states in the U.S., in part because it does well in many types of aquatic environments. This small turtle has an oval-shaped shell...

Taking on a pet snapping turtle requires some work. Snapping turtles are aquatic, meaning they mainly live in water, and grow on average to be more than a foot long. They grow quickly, so you'll...

Snapping turtles earned their name for their predilection for snapping at those trying to handle them. Snapping turtles have a hard shell, which is serrated near the reptile's tail. They have...

Pet turtles may seem like an easy pet to keep, but they require a significant amount of care and attention. If properly cared for, pet turtles can live for 20 years or more.

Aquatic turtles are popular pets for reptile lovers and make an interesting addition to a household. They're small enough for easier care than their larger counterparts (like snapping turtles),...

Whether you are watching a friend's pet mice or have ventured into pet ownership yourself, the care of these small creatures is simple and enjoyable. Those factors also make the rodent pet a...

Butterfly houses aren't only an attractive addition to your garden, they can also be a teaching tool for children who are learning about a butterfly's life cycle. With a butterfly house, you can...

A tadpole (or polliwig, as it is sometimes called) is the common name for a baby frog in its early larval stage. Tadpoles are wholly aquatic and breathe through internal or external gills. Legless...

Painted turtles are beautiful and popular animals. People often adopt them, however, before realizing how much work is involved in providing a painted turtle with a healthy and adequate habitat....

If you want a low-maintenance pet, a hamster is usually a good choice. If you are new to hamster ownership or simply want to learn a little more about a balanced hamster diet, the information in...

A pet turtle can be a fun addition to your family. Keeping it in a good habitat can help the turtle be happy and healthy---and give you even more of a chance to enjoy it. Whether you have a water...

Turtles make interesting and pleasing pets. One of the most well-known aquatic reptiles, they've been making their way into homes for decades. When setting up a turtle habitat, however, many...

The Mississippi Mud Turtle is a sawback turtle recognizable for its yellow-striped greenish-brown skin. Found from western Mississippi to central Illinois, these turtles are strong swimmers most...

Turtles can make wonderful pets, but cleaning out their tank can be anything but wonderful. These interesting creatures are known to be quite messy, which means cleaning the tank can be an arduous...