Reptile Species Guide
Care sheets, morph guides, legal status, and breeder directories for the world's most popular pet reptile species.
Popular species
Ball Python
BeginnerAmerica's #1 pet snake: 1,000+ morphs
Corn Snake
BeginnerThe classic American beginner snake
Bearded Dragon
BeginnerThe US's most popular pet lizard
Leopard Gecko
BeginnerThe original captive-bred gecko: 40 years in the hobby
Crested Gecko
BeginnerRediscovered in 1994, now a keeper favourite
Panther Chameleon
AdvancedStriking colour morphs from Madagascar
Explore morphs
Captive-bred colour and pattern variants, by species. Filter, browse for-sale listings, or read full genetics guides.
Ball Python
1,000+ morphsLeopard Gecko
100+ morphsCorn Snake
300+ morphsBrowse by category
Snakes
28 speciesBall pythons, corn snakes, carpet pythons, green tree pythons, blood pythons, and more.
Lizards
22 speciesBearded dragons, blue-tongue skinks, monitors, geckos, and more.
Tortoises & Turtles
8 speciesHermann's, sulcatas, red-eared sliders, and other chelonians.
Geckos
10 speciesLeopard geckos, crested geckos, day geckos, tokay geckos, and more.
Common questions
What reptile is best for beginners?
Ball pythons, bearded dragons, and leopard geckos are consistently recommended for beginners. All three are tolerant of handling, eat reliably, and are widely bred in captivity with well-documented care requirements. See our care guides for a detailed comparison.
Do I need a licence to keep a reptile?
Licence requirements vary significantly by country and even by state or territory. In Australia, most native reptiles require a keeper's licence. In the UK, CITES-listed species require documentation. In the US, requirements vary by state. Always check with your local wildlife authority before acquiring an animal. Our legal guide covers requirements by country.
What is a morph?
A morph is a genetic variant that produces a different colour or pattern from the wild type. Morphs are selectively bred and can be recessive, dominant, or co-dominant. A single species like the ball python has over 1,000 documented morphs. Our morph guides explain the genetics behind the most popular morphs.
What is CB vs WC?
CB means captive bred: the animal was produced from parents kept in captivity. WC means wild caught: the animal was taken from the wild. CB animals are generally healthier, better adapted to captive conditions, and free from the ethical and legal issues associated with wild collection. Always buy CB where possible.
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