THE CRESTED GECKO IN CAPTIVITY One of the most exciting, and certainly, most unique gecko becoming available to the reptile hobbyist is the Crested Gecko, Rhacodactylus ciliatus. A new comprehensivebook, The Crested Gecko in Captivity, by Robbie Hamper, is the first book availableto give detailed information on all aspects of keeping and breeding a healthy CrestedGecko. This book covers hatchling and adult care, housing, feeding, and breeding,plus many representative photographs of the various beautiful morphs. After being rediscovered in the mysterious forest of New Caledonia in 1994,Crested Geckos have been successfully captive bred producing hearty, robust, andextremely docile animals. With their wide-eyed, prehistoric look, huge triangle shaped heads, and froglike antics, they are quickly becoming the gecko of choice for reptile hobbyists. The author, Robbie Hamper, draws on a background of science education withover 30 years of herpetocultural experience specializing the last 15 years in Leopard Geckos and Crested Geckos.

Illustrated with over 150 color photographs, Crested Geckos is an authoritative, visual guide to this very popular lizard species. For their amazing colors and patterns, low maintenance requirements, longevity, and attractive appearance, crested geckos have captured the fancy of hobbyists. Crested Geckos provides guidelines for keepers who wish to select a crested gecko to add to their vivarium and to maintain their pet in excellent health and condition. Author Philippe de Vosjoli provides an introduction to crested gecko, including information about purchasing a healthy pet, handling, heating and housing, water and feeding, life cycle and sexing, and breeding. A separate chapter on diseases and disorders provides solid info on the health needs of these rewarding reptiles, including recognizing signs of disease, tail loss and pelvic deformities. The author has also written two chapters devoted to the color of crested geckos, their most alluring feature for many herpetoculturists. The chapters include discussions of color changes (as the gecko matures) and morphs, heavily illustrated with photographs of unusually colored crested geckos. For crested gecko keepers looking to expand their home populations, a chapter on the Rhacodactylus species describes five species with similar requirements despite their significantly different appearances, from the medium-sized knobby-headed gargoyle gecko to the giant Rhacodactylus leachianus.

Imagine The Sopranos, with snakes! The Lizard King is a fascinating account of a father and son family business suspected of smuggling reptiles, and the federal agent who tried to take them down. When Bryan Christy began to investigate the world of reptile smuggling, he had no idea what he would be in for. In the course of his research, he was bitten between the eyes by a blood python, chased by a mother alligator, and sprayed by a bird-eating tarantula. But perhaps more dangerous was coming face to face with Michael J. Van Nostrand, owner of Strictly Reptiles, a thriving family business in Hollywood, Florida. Van Nostrand imports as many as 300,000 iguanas each year (over half the total of America's most popular imported reptile), as well as hundreds of thousands of snakes, lizards, frogs, spiders, and scorpions. Van Nostrand was suspected of being a reptile smuggler by Special Agent Chip Bepler of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who devoted years of his life in an obsessive quest to expose The Lizard King's cold-blooded crimes. How this cat-and-mouse game ended is engrossing and surprising.

From gerbils, lizards, and snails to spiders, fish, and frogs, this is the coolest guide for kids to learn how to take care of the coolest pets! With 39 pet profiles that describe origins, behaviors, cage installation plans, food, maintenance, and more, this book contains all the general and fun information for a variety of easy-to-care-for animals that kids will love. Also included are the author’s observations based on his very own pet collection throughout, as well as anatomical diagrams, high-quality photography, helpful illustrations, and easy-to-read informational blurbs.