Guinea pigs (and rabbits) are very different from many other companion animals in that their teeth continuously grow throughout their lives. They have two slender incisors on both the upper and lower jaws at the front of their mouth. Behind these, usually out of sight, are their ‘cheek’ teeth (premolars…
Yes, you should have your guinea pigs desexed! Read on to find out why. Did you know that: Female guinea pigs can breed at the age of 4 weeks (although 8 weeks is more common)? Guinea pigs usually have from 2 to 4 pups per litter and can have up…
Once you have decided what kind of reptile you want to keep, have a home set up for them, and have received your licence, you can start your quest to locate a suitable animal. Remember, reptile keeping in Australia is a privilege, not a right. The keeping of reptiles as…
So, you’ve decided that a reptile is the right animal for you. But which reptile? There are some species that are not suitable as pets (especially for beginners) and others that will not be ready to breed for years. Do these characteristics fit in with your plans? The key to…
Reptiles have evolved in many climates and localities, resulting in large variations in dietary requirements. Their dietary needs also vary greatly depending on species, size, and their state of maturity. As a general rule, reptiles can be herbivores (eats mainly or only plants), omnivores (eats plants and animals), or carnivores…
Where you put your reptile’s enclosure depends on a few different things, including: Temperature Sunlight Disturbances How much space your reptile needs In this article, we’ll go through these factors so that you can choose the best location for your reptile. We will focus on indoor enclosures, but many of…
Behaviour in the wild Reptiles as a group vary widely in their natural history. They are found in an array of habitats and ecological niches, including the following: The temperature extremes of the desert (hot by day, cold by night) The heat and humidity of the tropical rainforest Freshwater creeks…
Large semi-arboreal (spending some of their time in trees) pythons of the genus Morelia are common in the suburbs of Australian cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, and Darwin. Throughout most of this range, the most common python is the ‘carpet python’, Morelia spilota. There are 6-8 subspecies within…
Australia is home to over 20 species of freshwater turtle. They all share the characteristic of retracting their head and neck beneath their shell by folding it to one side (‘side-necked’ turtles), rather than drawing their head backwards as do most of the world’s species of turtles and tortoises. They…
The most common reptile species kept as pets are typically medium-sized, non-threatened, captive-bred, and easily obtained. The central (or inland) bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) fits this description perfectly, making it by far the most popular pet reptile in the world. General information Common name: central (inland) bearded dragon Scientific name:…