Reptile FAQ
Answers that compare the zoo's residents, built straight from their cited care sheets. For one animal, open its care sheet: each has its own FAQ.
Choosing a reptile
Which reptiles are rated beginner?
On ReptiFiles' care-level ratings: Leopard gecko, Crested gecko, Corn snake, Gargoyle gecko, Mourning gecko, Ocellated skink. A beginner rating means forgiving care once the setup is right, not no setup. Try the species finder.
Which reptiles are for experienced keepers only?
Rated advanced: Argentine tegu, Jackson's chameleon.
Which reptiles need the least space?
Adult minimums with the smallest floor area (up to 36 × 18 in): Leopard gecko (36 × 18 × 18 in), Crested gecko (18 × 18 × 24 in), Gargoyle gecko (18 × 18 × 24 in), Western hognose snake (36 × 18 × 16 in), Mourning gecko (12 × 12 × 18 in), Ocellated skink (36 × 18 × 12 in), Jackson's chameleon (24 × 24 × 48 in), Veiled chameleon (24 × 24 × 48 in), Kenyan sand boa (24 × 12 × 12 in).
Which reptiles need the most space?
Floor area of 6 × 3 ft or more for one adult: Argentine tegu (8.0 × 4.0 ft floor), Dumeril's boa (6.0 × 3.0 ft floor), Russian tortoise (7.0 × 3.5 ft floor).
How long do pet reptiles live?
With good care: Leopard gecko: 15–20+ years; Crested gecko: 15–20 years; Bearded dragon: 10–15 years (20–25 possible); Ball python: 15–30 years; Corn snake: 15–20+ years; Blue-tongued skink: 15–20 years (35+ possible); Gargoyle gecko: 15–20 years; Western hognose snake: 10–20 years; Argentine tegu: 15–20 years; Ackie monitor: 15+ years; Mourning gecko: 10–15 years; Sudan plated lizard: 10–15 years; Dumeril's boa: 15–20+ years; Ocellated skink: 10–20 years; Jackson's chameleon: 5–10 years; Veiled chameleon: 6–8 years (females shorter); Russian tortoise: Up to 50 years or more; Kenyan sand boa: Up to 30 years. Many reptiles outlive a dog or cat, so plan for the long run.
Which reptiles are awake at night?
Leopard gecko (dawn and dusk), Crested gecko (dawn and dusk), Ball python (dawn and dusk), Corn snake (dawn and dusk), Gargoyle gecko (dusk and night), Mourning gecko (mostly at night), Dumeril's boa (dusk and night), Kenyan sand boa (dusk and night). The rest are active by day.
Food
Which reptiles eat insects?
Leopard gecko, Crested gecko, Bearded dragon, Blue-tongued skink, Gargoyle gecko, Argentine tegu, Ackie monitor, Mourning gecko, Sudan plated lizard, Ocellated skink, Jackson's chameleon, Veiled chameleon. Insect eaters need live feeders dusted with supplements; each care sheet says which and how often.
Which reptiles eat rodents or other whole prey?
Ball python, Corn snake, Western hognose snake, Argentine tegu, Dumeril's boa, Kenyan sand boa. Most are fed frozen-thawed prey, which needs no supplements.
Which reptiles eat vegetables or greens?
Bearded dragon, Blue-tongued skink, Argentine tegu, Sudan plated lizard, Ocellated skink, Russian tortoise. The Russian tortoise is the only one here that is almost entirely plant-eating.
Is there a reptile that doesn't need live insects every day?
The fruit-diet geckos eat a complete powdered crested gecko diet mixed with water, with insects only once or twice a week: Crested gecko, Gargoyle gecko, Mourning gecko.
Heat and light
Which reptiles need the hottest basking spot?
Basking spots of 100°F or more: Bearded dragon (105–115°F), Blue-tongued skink (105–115°F), Argentine tegu (125–135°F), Ackie monitor (158–172°F), Sudan plated lizard (100–110°F). These need strong heat lamps on a thermostat and a thermometer at the basking spot.
Do all reptiles need UVB?
Every care sheet here recommends UVB, including for night-active geckos and snakes, and for the bearded dragon it is required; the bulb strength differs by species. See the UVB line on each care sheet, or compare species side by side.
Should the heat lamp be on a thermostat?
Yes. An unregulated heat lamp can overheat an enclosure; the setup checker flags a missing thermostat.
Built from each species' cited care sheet (sources listed on each page). General husbandry information, not veterinary advice.