Can beginners keep reptiles?

Leopard geckos, corn snakes, and bearded dragons are hardy and easy to care for, making them popular beginner reptiles. Once you learn temperature and humidity management, long-term care is achievable.

How much do reptiles cost?

Leopard geckos cost 5,000-30,000 yen, ball pythons 10,000-100,000+ yen, and bearded dragons 10,000-40,000 yen, varying greatly by morph (variety).

How long do reptiles live?

Leopard geckos live 15-20 years, ball pythons 20-30 years, bearded dragons 8-12 years, and some tortoises 50+ years. Be prepared for long-term commitment.

What equipment is needed for reptiles?

Basic equipment includes an enclosure, heat sources (heat mat/heat lamp), thermometer-hygrometer, UVB light (species-dependent), water dish, and substrate. Proper temperature gradient is most important.

What should I check when buying reptiles?

Check that the animal is active, has clear eyes, no stuck shed, and is eating well. Captive-bred (CB) specimens adapt better to captive environments.

Reptile & Amphibian Encyclopedia — 80 Species Directory

Encyclopedia of popular reptile and amphibian species with care guides, traits, and pricing.

Featured Reptile & Amphibian

Red Tegu Schneider's Skink Tokay Gecko Pancake Tortoise

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Hardy Small Large Arboreal Frog Long-lived Semi-aquatic Herbivore Gecko South America Omnivore Africa Many morphs Green Madagascar

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Black Throat Monitor

Varanus albigularis

Advanced

One of Africa's largest monitors. Many individuals are gentle, relatively manageable among large monitors.

Black ThroatLarge monitorAfrica

Jackson's Chameleon

Trioceros jacksonii

Intermediate

A chameleon with three horns. From East Africa, relatively easy to keep as a beginner chameleon.

Jackson'sChameleonThree horns

Pancake Tortoise

Pancake tortoise

Intermediate

An African tortoise with extremely flat shell. Unique defense of squeezing into rock crevices.

PancakeFlatRock crevice

Plated Lizard

Beginner

An African lizard covered in plate-like large scales. Hardy, tames easily, and easy to keep.

PlatedPlate scalesAfrica

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Reptile & Amphibian FAQ

Can beginners keep reptiles?: Leopard geckos, corn snakes, and bearded dragons are hardy and easy to care for, making them popular beginner reptiles. Once you learn temperature and humidity management, long-term care is achievable.
How much do reptiles cost?: Leopard geckos cost 5,000-30,000 yen, ball pythons 10,000-100,000+ yen, and bearded dragons 10,000-40,000 yen, varying greatly by morph (variety).
How long do reptiles live?: Leopard geckos live 15-20 years, ball pythons 20-30 years, bearded dragons 8-12 years, and some tortoises 50+ years. Be prepared for long-term commitment.
What equipment is needed for reptiles?: Basic equipment includes an enclosure, heat sources (heat mat/heat lamp), thermometer-hygrometer, UVB light (species-dependent), water dish, and substrate. Proper temperature gradient is most important.
What should I check when buying reptiles?: Check that the animal is active, has clear eyes, no stuck shed, and is eating well. Captive-bred (CB) specimens adapt better to captive environments.