Reptile

Reptile Enclosure Setup: Create a Thriving Habitat for Your Pet

Learn how to setup your reptiles terrarium to ensure your reptile lives a wholesome & happy life. Shop at your local Petco for all reptile terrarium needs.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Reptile Feeding: Live Insect Selection & Care for Optimal Health

Learn about live insects for reptile feeding, recommended diet & habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.

Updated on April 9th, 2026

Is a Reptile Right for You? Essential Questions Before You Buy

Explore our tips about what to keep in mind when choosing the right pet reptile for your family. Consider what they need to stay happy and healthy.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

How to Prevent Reptile Illness: Safe Handling & Habitat Cleaning

Read these guidelines about handling reptiles to provide a safe and fun environment for your pet, friends and family.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Reptile Power Outage: Protect Your Pet, Keep Them Warm & Safe

A few ideas to use to get your pet safely through a power outage, regardless of the time of year.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

I want a Collared lizard! How do I find a reputable breeder nearby?

Check out online sources such as LLL Reptile ( www.lllreptile.com ) and DFW Reptarium ( www.dfwreptarium.com ). You can also look up any upcoming reptile shows. A quick search showed ReptiCon ( www.repticon.com ) coming to Grapevine during the summer months.

My baby crested gecko is paralyzed. Can it survive without a vet?

Paraplegia in a reptile is a very bad prognostic indicator. I would call up the company who shipped this animal to you right away and let them know what is hapening. Unfortunately, many of these companies have disclaimers regarding injuries or illness during shipping, so they may not be so willing to help you. In terms of medical care for your reptiles, I just did a quick look into your surrounding area. There are a couple of doctors in East Lansing and Grand Rapids who appear to treat reptiles. Because there aren't many around, many times they are happy to just talk to your on the telephone if you give them a call and describe what is going on. Hope this helps.

Injured lizard care: food, lighting, and habitat setup tips?

It does appear to be of the takydromus species. These grass lizards are common and fairly easy to keep. Being adept climbers, more vertical space should be offered in an enclosure. Branches and vines can be placed for climbing. Bring reptiles, they need an external heat source and UVB lighting. Daytime temps can range from 24 C to 30 C (75-85 F). Provide a basking spot of around 35 C to 38 C (95-100 F) using a heat lamp. Aim for 70-80% humidity. Provide a shallow bowl for water. Mist the cage daily. Feed appropriately sized prey, no bigger than the space between the eyes, that have been gutload for 24 hours prior to offering. This will maximize nutritional value. Crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, waxworms or wingless fruit flies can all be offered. Dust prey with a calcium supplement and a multivitamin supplement several times weekly. Ideally, the wound should be addressed by a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. You can clean it with dilute Betadine or chlorhexidine

Can a 7.5x12 inch faunarium house any reptile or insect long-term?

It is too small to be used for much beyond transport, quarantine or temporary housing (i.e. during cleaning of main enclosure). The plastic construction does not allow for light or heat sources which most reptiles or exotic pets require.

My baby reptile has exposed skin & discharge on feet. Is it scale rot?

I think this may be a repetition of a previous question. This could be due to a bacterial or fungal infection causing scale rot. Swab the infected area with a diluted povidone-iodine solution twice daily. Scrape away the infected area gently with a blunt tool or a cotton pad. If this time of first line treatment does not help and you do not see any improvement in 48hours a check up at your local veterinarian would be required as antibiotic ointment and more aggressive treatment may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.