Snakes and Reptiles South Africa

13/09/2022

13/09/2022

This care sheet will show you how I keep my Poecilotheria metallica – Sapphire Ornamental tarantulas, they are not the definitive way the species should be kept. I am sharing my experience, not telling you how it must be done. Many factors must be considered in your husbandry such as ambient temperature and humidity of the room and even where you are on the globe. Use this information as a starting point for your research and be flexible so you can give your species as optimal care as possible.

This care sheet will show you how I keep my Poecilotheria metallica - Sapphire Ornamental tarantulas, they are not the definitive way the species should be kept. I am sharing my experience, not telling you how it must be done. Many factors must be considered in your husbandry such as ambient tempera...

12/09/2022

Keeping tarantulas as pets can be a fascinating hobby. They are interesting to watch, take up relatively little space, and are fairly easy to maintain. However, tarantulas aren’t the best choice if you want a pet you can handle, as they do have venomous bites.

There are around 1,000 species of tarantulas in the Theraphosidae family. One of the more popular species kept as a pet is the Chilean rose (Grammostola rosea), a hardy spider native to Chile that’s generally easy to care for. As pets, tarantulas need housing that mimics their natural habitat, along with live prey.

See All Tarantula Species A - Z (Click Here) Keeping tarantulas as pets can be a fascinating hobby. They are interesting to watch, take up relatively little space, and are fairly easy to maintain. However, tarantulas aren't the best choice if you want a pet you can handle, as

09/09/2022

Hydrodynastes gigas is a New World species of large, rear-fanged, Dipsadidae snake endemic to South America. It is commonly and alternatively known as the false water cobra and the Brazilian smooth snake. The false water cobra is so named because when the snake is threatened it “hoods” as a true cobra (Naja species) does. Unlike a true cobra, though, it does not rear up, but remains in a horizontal position. No subspecies are currently recognized as being valid.

Hydrodynastes gigas is a New World species of large, rear-fanged, Dipsadidae snake endemic to South America. It is commonly and alternatively known as the false water cobra and the Brazilian smooth snake. The false water cobra is so named because when the snake is threatened it "hoods" as a true cob...

08/09/2022

Are you new to the reptile hobby or did you come across Reptile Terminology in your research that confused you? Do you have a reptile-loving friend who seems to be speaking in a different language?

Decoding Reptile Terminology Are you new to the reptile hobby or did you come across Reptile Terminology in your research that confused you? Do you have a reptile-loving friend who seems to be speaking in a different language? Welcome to the world’s first online dictionary of reptile vocabulary! A...

06/09/2022

The Rhinoceros Viper – Bitis nasicornis is a medium sized heavy bodied venomous viper species found in the forests of West and Central Africa.
This large viper is known for its striking coloration and prominent nasal “horns.”
No subspecies are currently recognized.Common names include: Butterfly viper, Rhinoceros viper and River Jack

The Rhinoceros Viper - Bitis nasicornis is a medium sized heavy bodied venomous viper species found in the forests of West and Central Africa. This large viper is known for its striking coloration and prominent nasal "horns." No subspecies are currently recognized.Common names include: Butterfly vip...

05/09/2022

Check out the species we work with at snakesandreptiles.co.za
We pride ourselves as keepers and breeders of the following species:

Bearded Dragons, Tegus, Monitors, Iguanas, Chameleons, Lizards, Corn Snakes, King Snakes, Milk Snakes, Rat Snakes, Ball Pythons, Blood Pythons, Short Tailed Pythons, Reticulated Pythons, Burmese Pythons, Green Tree Pythons, Carpet Pythons, Scorpions, Tarantulas, Rainbow Boa, Emerald Tree Boa, Leopard Gecko, Day Gecko, Fat Tailed Gecko, Gargoyle Gecko, Crested Gecko, Tokay Gecko, Leachianus Gecko, Leaf tailed Gecko, Chahaua Gecko, Hognose Snake, Crocodilians, Tree Frogs, Dart Frogs, Axolotls, Tree Vipers, White Lipped Tree Viper, Vogels Tree Viper, Gumprecht Tree Viper, Purple Mangrove Snake, African Vipers
Western Gaboon Viper, Eastern Gaboon Viper, Puffadder, Variable Bush Vipers, Rattlesnakes, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Western Diamondback, Rattlesnake, Neotropical Rattlesnake, Pigmy Rattlesnake, Elapids, King Cobra, Monocled Cobra, Red Spitter, Black Spitter, Eyelash Viper

01/09/2022

Like other reptiles, a Chahoua Gecko’s skin needs renewal now and then

When your Chahoua Gecko sheds its skin, they do it all at once at varying intervals depending on its stage of life.

But why do Chahoua Geckos shed their skin so often?

Shedding is a normal part of a Chahoua Gecko’s growth process, and baby geckos shed more frequently than any other life stage because of their rapid growth. However, the shedding frequency in a Chahoua Gecko will begin to taper off as the reptile gets older and its growth slows down.

Complete guide to Chahoua Gecko Shedding Like other reptiles, a Chahoua Gecko’s skin needs renewal now and then When your Chahoua Gecko sheds its skin, they do it all at once at varying intervals depending on its stage of life. But why do Chahoua Geckos shed their skin so often? Shedding is a norm...

01/09/2022

Complete guide to Crested Gecko Shedding
Like other reptiles, a crested gecko’s skin needs renewal now and then

When your Crested Gecko sheds its skin, they do it all at once at varying intervals depending on its stage of life.

But why do crested geckos shed their skin so often?

Shedding is a normal part of a crested gecko’s growth process, and baby geckos shed more frequently than any other life stage because of their rapid growth. However, the shedding frequency in a crested gecko will begin to taper off as the reptile gets older and its growth slows down.
https://snakesandreptiles.co.za/complete-guide-to-crested-gecko-shedding/
It is important to monitor your Crested Gecko’s behavior throughout shedding to ensure the process goes smoothly for your reptile.

There are several issues a Crested Gecko may encounter during shedding, and it may require veterinary care.

Keep reading to learn more about the signs of shedding in a crested gecko and how often the reptile sheds during certain life stages.

Complete guide to Crested Gecko Shedding Like other reptiles, a crested gecko’s skin needs renewal now and then When your Crested Gecko sheds its skin, they do it all at once at varying intervals depending on its stage of life. But why do crested geckos shed their skin so often? Shedding is a norm...

01/09/2022

I can think of no other species of snake as variable in coloration and pattern as the eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii). While the most common ground colors are variations of green, golden, yellow or red, brown and gray ground colors also exist. Patterning can include black, yellow, peach and red. Specimens of solid colors, some with a thin dorsal stripe, are known. What they look like as babies is probably not what they will look like as adults. Often it takes two to three years for the final adult coloration to develop.

Eyelash Viper Quick Overview Scientific Name Bothriechis schlegelii Adult Size 22 to 32 inches (56 to 81 centimeters) Required humidity 60% - 70% Recommended Temperature 75-82°F, or 25-28°C Minimum Enclosure Size 16” x 24” x 16” ( 48cm x 60cm x 48cm) Expertise Level Adanced/Expert Availabili...

31/08/2022

The Bosc Monitor (Savannah Monitor) (Varanus exanthematicus) is a large bodied monitor from Eastern and Northern Africa. An adult Bosc Monitor can exceed five feet in length, although three to four foot is more average. They can weigh up to 2kg and are prone to obesity in captivity, with an almost unrivalled appetite.

Bosc Monitor (Savannah Monitor) Quick Overview Scientific Name Varanus exanthematicus Adult Size 3.5-5.0 ft (105-155 cm) Required humidity 50% - 60% Recommended Temperature Basking at 90 – 100F (32 – 38C), Warm-end 85 – 90F (29 – 32C) Cool end - 75F (24C) Minimum Enclosure Size 96” x 48”...