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

All Beginner Intermediate Advanced

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

Showing 8 of 80 species

African Bullfrog

Pyxicephalus adspersus

Intermediate

A massive, heavyset frog nicknamed the sumo of frogs. With a robust olive-green body and a very wide mouth, it is hardy and long-lived. It is a different species from the regulated American bullfrog and is legal to keep.

LargeFrogHardy

Blue-Tongued Skink

Beginner

Large skink named for its distinctive blue tongue. Docile, easy to handle, and omnivorous with varied diet. Hardy and long-lived.

Beginner-friendlySkinkOmnivore

Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt

Cynops pyrrhogaster

Beginner

A newt endemic to Japan, admired for the striking contrast between its dark-brown back and vivid red belly. Hardy, long-lived, and kept mainly in water, it is a great beginner amphibian. Wash hands after handling, as its skin is toxic.

NativeAmphibianRed belly

Kingsnake

Beginner

Named King for preying on other snakes. California Kingsnake is the most common. Hardy and easy to keep.

Beginner-friendlySnakeHardy

Plated Lizard

Beginner

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

PlatedPlate scalesAfrica

Russian Tortoise

Russian tortoise

Beginner

Also called Horsfields tortoise. Small, hardy tortoise tolerant of dry conditions. Ideal starter tortoise species.

Beginner-friendlyTortoiseSmall

Schneider's Skink

Eumeces schneideri

Beginner

A medium skink from Middle East to North Africa. Beautiful orange spots, hardy and easy to keep.

Schneider'sSkinkMiddle East

White's Tree Frog

Litoria caerulea

Beginner

Chubby body and smile-like expression make this tree frog popular worldwide. Very hardy and easy to keep, tolerates handling. Beautiful vivid green coloration.

Beginner-friendlyFrogHardy

Browse Reptile & Amphibian Listings

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.