Care Guides

Expert reptile and exotic animal care guides from Shadow's Reptiles.

Understanding Impaction in Reptiles

Impaction is one of the most common and potentially life-threatening conditions in captive reptiles. Learn the causes (loose substrate, oversized prey, improper temps, dehydration), warning signs (constipation, bloating, lethargy), treatment options, and prevention tips from Shadow's Reptiles.

Guía de cuidados del planeador de azúcar

Guía completa para el cuidado del planeador de azúcar (Petaurus breviceps): recinto, dieta, hidratación, manejo y consejos de vinculación. Aprende a mantener a tu planeador de azúcar feliz y saludable con los consejos de Shadow's Reptiles.

Fennec Fox Care Guide

Vulpes zerda Fennec foxes ( Vulpes zerda ) are captivating and charismatic animals best known for their oversized ears, which help them stay cool and detect the faintest sounds in the desert. Native to the hot sands of the Sahara Desert and North Africa, these tiny foxes are built for survival in extreme environments. Weighing just 2–4 pounds and measuring up to 16 inches long (not including their fluffy tails), fennec foxes are the smallest of all fox species. With the right care, they can...

4 min read

Guía de cuidados de la pitón bola

Python regius Las pitones bola (Python regius), también conocidas como pitones reales, son una de las serpientes más populares en el...

4 min read

Guía de cuidados de la iguana rinoceronte

Este artículo le mostrará cómo cuidar a las iguanas rinoceronte, un reptil extraordinario conocido por sus hocicos distintivos (de ahí el...

5 min read

Guía de cuidados de la iguana de roca cubana

Este artículo le mostrará cómo cuidar a las iguanas de roca cubanas, un reptil llamativo y resistente nativo de los hábitats rocosos de...

4 min read

Guía de cuidados del dragón barbudo

Pogona vitticeps Los dragones barbudos ( Pogona vitticeps ) son mascotas fascinantes y populares conocidas por sus distintivas "barbas",...

5 min read

¿Qué comen las tortugas?

Aprende todo lo que necesitas saber para darle a tu tortuga la mejor dieta posible.

4 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Caring for African Bullfrogs

Complete African bullfrog care guide covering enclosure setup, temperature, humidity, diet, handling, and health. Learn how to properly care for these impressive giant frogs from Shadow's Reptiles.

3 min read

Shadow's Reptiles: Bringing Fun, Education, and Passion to Your Event

What makes Shadow's Reptiles different? With 169+ animals, 30+ species, and 360+ shows across South Florida, we bring unforgettable exotic animal encounters to birthday parties, schools, corporate events, and community festivals. Learn about our hands-on, educational shows and book your next event.

4 min read

What Reptile Is Best for You?

Choosing your first reptile is one of the most exciting decisions you'll make as a future pet owner. With over 30 species at Shadow's Reptiles, I've seen how the right match leads to years of joy. This guide covers beginner-friendly species like bearded dragons, leopard geckos, crested geckos, ball pythons, and corn snakes, plus intermediate and advanced options like sulcata tortoises, fennec foxes, and sugar gliders.

6 min read

Cuban Rock Iguana Care Guide

This article will show you how to care for Cuban rock iguanas, a striking and resilient reptile native to the rocky habitats of Cuba. These iguanas are known for their robust size and territorial nature, and they require special attention to thrive in captivity. Cuban rock iguanas are hardy animals that often reach up to 5 feet in length and can live up to 30 years in captivity, which really shows how adaptable and strong they are.

4 min read

5 Miami Birthday Ideas/Themes for Reptile Lovers

Planning a birthday party in Miami for a kid who loves animals? Nothing compares to bringing live exotic animals to your celebration. From classic reptile shows to the Ultimate Safari Experience with monkeys and 14 animals, here are five incredible birthday party ideas for reptile lovers in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

4 min read

Squirrel Monkey Care Guide

Squirrel monkeys are one of the most charismatic and intelligent primates you can keep in captivity, but they require an enormous commitment of time, space, and resources. This complete care guide covers enclosure setup (minimum 6x6x8ft), diet (omnivore with commercial primate biscuits, fruits, vegetables, and insects), socialization, enrichment, health concerns, and legal requirements.

3 min read

Gargoyle Gecko Care Guide

Everything you need to know about gargoyle gecko care, from enclosure setup and temperature requirements to diet, handling, and common health issues. A complete guide from Shadow's Reptiles.

4 min read

Leopard Gecko Care Guide

Eublepharis macularius Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are fascinating reptiles known for their striking appearance, docile...

3 min read

Ball Pythons Care Guide

Python regius Ball pythons (Python regius), also known as royal pythons, are one of the most popular snakes in the pet trade, and for...

4 min read

What Do Tortoises Eat

Learn everything you need to know in order to give your tortoise the best diet possible!

3 min read

How a Pet can Benefit you!

At Shadow's Reptiles, we believe that the companionship of a pet offers unparalleled benefits for both children and adults. Caring for a...

5 min read

Isopod Care Guide

What are they? Known as Roly-poly, pill bug, wood lice, sowbugs and many more the only thing isopods have more of than names is species!...

3 min read

Red Eared Slider Turtle Care Guide

Introduction Red-Eared Slider Turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) are among the most popular pet turtles, known for their distinctive red...

3 min read

Crested Gecko Care Guide

Correlophus ciliatus Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) are captivating creatures known for their unique appearance, gentle...

3 min read

Indonesian Giant Sailfin Dragon Care Guide

Hydrosaurus microlophus The Indonesian Giant Sailfin Dragon (Hydrosaurus microlophus) is a striking and unique reptile, known for its...

3 min read

Bearded Dragon Care Guide

Pogona vitticeps Bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps ) are fascinating and popular pets known for their distinctive "beards"...

4 min read

Rhino Iguana Care Guide

This article will show you how to care for Rhino Iguanas, a remarkable reptile known for their distinctive snouts (hence the name) and their dog like personalities! I have provided videos from my YouTube channel that will be linked throughout this care guide for those that prefer to learn from videos. I also have rhino iguana for sale available on the bottom of this page. These care guides that I write are used daily and followed as law here at Shadow's reptiles. I am constantly working on...

5 min read

Sugar Glider Care Guide

These care guides that I write are used daily and followed as law here at Shadow's reptiles . I am constantly working on improving them...

4 min read

Guía de Cuidado de Tortugas Patas Rojas

Chelonoidis carbonarius Las tortugas de patas rojas también conocidas como morrocoy (Chelonoidis carbonarius) son mascotas populares...

8 min read

Redfoot Tortoise Care Guide

Chelonoidis carbonarius Redfoot tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius) are popular pets due to their friendly and sociable nature, reaching...

11 min read

Guía de cuidado de la tortuga sulcata

Este artículo le mostrará cómo cuidar a las tortugas sulcata, una de las especies de tortugas más populares del mundo. He proporcionado...

6 min read

Sulcata Tortoise Care Guide

Complete sulcata tortoise care guide covering enclosure setup, heating, UVB, humidity, hydration, diet, handling, and available tortoises from Shadow Reptiles.

7 min read