The pink toe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) is a new world tarantula that is an excellent species for both beginners and advanced keepers. They are readily available both online and at most pet stores. This tarantula is an arboreal species that will spend much of its time on display at the top of the enclosure. Pink toe tarantulas have black bodies, and bright pink toes, hence the name. They have fairly docile temperaments and are rarely known to bite, though they are known for flicking hairs. These hairs cause a mild irritation when flicked at you. They have very mild venom, but should always be kept with caution, because you won’t know if you have an allergy to it until you’ve already been bitten. Pink toe tarantulas grow to have a leg span around 5 - 6 inches, making them a medium sized tarantula. In captivity, they typically live to be between 7 - 12 years old, with females out-living males. 

If you’re looking for a unique pet that is low maintenance the asian forest scorpion may be the pet for you! Asian forest scorpions are excellent beginner scorpions due to their hardiness. These scorpions are naturally found in India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. They are slow growers that typically grow to be between 5 - 6 inches long, and live to be 7 - 8 years old. They are readily available in many pet stores, as well as online, so it won’t be hard to find one. It should be noted that they are venomous, but their venom has a low potency and is usually harmless unless you have an allergy to it. Still interested? Let’s dive into caring for asian forest scorpions!

Hognose snakes are famous for having quite the personality. They are dramatic snakes that are known for flattening out their ribs to puff up like a cobra. These snakes also play dead, which can be entertaining to watch. Hognoses have up-turned snouts that act as a shovel as they dig holes and make tunnels. These snakes typically grow to be about 3 feet long, and can live to be about 10 - 15 years old on average in captivity. Hognoses are a mildly venomous species. Their venom can be compared to that of a bee sting, and are relatively harmless to humans unless you are allergic. If you’re looking for an entertaining snake that stays on the smaller side the hognose may be the snake for you. 

So you want a pet snake, but you don’t want one that gets too big. Well you’re in luck! There are tons of smaller snake species to choose from! Many of these species make excellent beginner snakes, and are also fun for the advanced keeper. A smaller snake can be an excellent choice, as they are usually lower maintenance, require a smaller enclosure, and are cheaper to feed and maintain. The snakes in this list aren’t necessarily the world's smallest snakes, but they are the smallest snakes that also thrive in captivity, and therefore would make good pets. Here’s the top 6 smallest pet snakes:

There are several factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding on a substrate for your leopard gecko. You want to choose a substrate that is non toxic, easy to maintain, and has a low risk for impaction. I have broken down each substrate that leopard geckos can and cannot use to help you decide which is best for you and your gecko.

Nelson’s milk snakes are popular pets due to their easy care, docile behavior, and gorgeous morphs (colors and patterns). They often have an outgoing personality, and enjoy patrolling the perimeter of their enclosure. These milk snakes typically grow to be 42 inches long, and can live to be anywhere between 12 - 20 years in captivity! In nature, they can be found in Mexico, oftentimes hiding in woodlands and rocky areas. Despite their pattern and bright colors, Nelson's milk snakes are not venomous. They use these colors in the wild to mimic coral snakes, and avoid predators.

In nature, crested geckos can be found hanging out in the trees in New Caledonia. These geckos make excellent pets due to their low maintenance and manageable size. Crested geckos can grow to be 8 inches from their snout to the tip of their tails. When handled from a young age, they become calm pets that will happily hang out in your hands. Crested geckos come in a variety of morphs (colors and patterns) and can truly be stunning creatures. Before purchasing one of these lizards, you should take into consideration that they can live to be 15 - 20 years old. 

Garter snakes are small, high energy snakes that make great pets for both beginners and experienced hobbyists. In captivity, garter snakes can live to be up to 10 years old, so you should take their long lifespan into consideration before taking the leap into ownership. Garter snakes typically grow to be between 23 and 30 inches long, however some individuals can reach up to 5 feet. Unlike many snake species, garter snakes are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day, and tend to sleep at night. This is just one of the many reasons why garter snakes are an excellent choice for kids. Their overall care requirements are also extremely low maintenance when compared with other reptiles. 

Whether you own leopard geckos, or are planning to own them in the future, it is essential to understand their common illnesses. Reptiles are excellent at hiding when they’re sick — after all, a sick reptile in the wild becomes an easy target. Having a full understanding of what causes these common health issues in leopard geckos and what signs to look for can be the difference between life and death. This article is intended to guide you through common leopard gecko health problems, what signs to look for, and what causes them. If you have an emergency, you should call a reptile veterinarian. 

So you’ve decided you want a lizard, but you’re having trouble deciding between a bearded dragon or leopard gecko. It's understandable to be conflicted — it's a big decision, especially if it's your first lizard. The good news is, both bearded dragons and leopard geckos make excellent pets for both beginners and experienced reptile keepers. They each have their own pros and cons that we will go over together to help you decide which lizard is the right lizard for you!