Reptile Care Guides

Bearded Dragon

Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), the most common pet bearded dragon.

Scientific name

Pogona vitticeps

Adult size

13–24 inches long, including the tail

Day temperature

Basking surface 108–113°F (42–45°C); cool side 77–85°F (25–29°C)

Night temperature

55–75°F (12–24°C)

Ball Python

Ball python (Python regius), also called the royal python.

Scientific name

Python regius

Lifespan

Average 20 years in captivity (reports up to 28–50 years); average 10 years in the wild

Adult size

Adults 1–1.5 m long; wild individuals reported at 1.83 m

Day temperature

Warm hide 86–90°F (30–32°C); cool hide 72–80°F (22–27°C)

Night temperature

70–78°F (21–26°C)

Humidity

Generally 60–80% by day, rising to 80–100% at night

Leopard Gecko

Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius).

Scientific name

Eublepharis macularius

Lifespan

Approximately 22 years in captivity

Day temperature

Basking surface 94–97°F (34–36°C); warm hide 90–92°F (32–33°C); cool end 70–77°F (21–25°C)

Night temperature

Can drop to 60°F (16°C)

Red-eared slider

Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), the most common pet turtle; data describe the species Trachemys scripta. Tortoises and box turtles are different animals, so these numbers are not theirs.

Scientific name

Trachemys scripta

Lifespan

Up to 30 years in the wild; captive sliders up to 41.3 years

Adult size

10–29 cm shell length

Adult weight

Females up to 3,200 g

Day temperature

Water (adults) 70–88°F (21–31°C); basking surface 104°F (40°C), basking air 85–90°F (30–32°C)

Other reptiles

Chameleons, corn snakes, crested geckos, and the rest. The picture is a corn snake. They do not share one body size, so this card has no fact table. The ruler in that old drawing is not a measurement.