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An Owner’s Guide to Keeping the Fantasy Horned Frog
Exotic

An Owner’s Guide to Keeping the Fantasy Horned Frog

Fantasy horned frog care and facts. The fantasy horned frog is a captive-bred hybrid, usually a cross between Ceratophrys cranwelli and C. cornuta. Adults reach about 10–15 cm and can live 8–12 years with proper care. They are heavy, terrestrial ambush predators that spend much time buried in damp substrate and strike quickly at prey. Use a glass terrarium, deep moisture-retaining substrate (8–12 cm), minimal decor and a humid 60–80% environment. Keep temperatures around 24–28°C by day and 20–22°C at night. Feed large insects and earthworms, size no bigger than the frog’s mouth; juveniles eat every 2–3 days, adults every 4–7 days. Avoid frequent handling, watch for obesity, impaction and infections, and keep hygiene and feeding habits correct. Breeding is best left to experienced keepers and hybrids must never be released into the wild. Buy captive-bred animals from reputable breeders and label hybrids clearly.

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  • The Complete Guide to Keeping Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas
    Exotic

    The Complete Guide to Keeping Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas

    Mexican Red Knee Tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii) is a calm, colourful New World tarantula popular with beginners. Basic tarantula care: a shallow, well ventilated terrestrial enclosure with floor space 2–3 times the leg span (adult minimum about 30 x 30 x 30 cm), 8–12 cm of coco fibre or chemical-free soil, a hide and a shallow water dish. Keep temperature around 22–26°C and humidity about 60–70% with good ventilation. Feed suitable prey (crickets, locusts, dubia roaches) on a schedule: spiderlings every 3–5 days, juveniles once or twice weekly, adults every 7–10 days, and remove uneaten food. Handling is not recommended; they can flick urticating hairs and can be injured by falls. Females live 20–30 years and males 5–7 years. They are solitary and must be kept alone. Mexican Red Knees are covered by CITES, so buy captive-bred animals from reputable sellers and keep any required paperwork.

  • How to Set Up a Terrarium for Arboreal Species
    Exotic

    How to Set Up a Terrarium for Arboreal Species

    Arboreal terrarium setup for arboreal reptiles and amphibians like frogs, geckos and anoles. Use a tall, vertical glass or PVC enclosure with good front and top ventilation and plenty of branches, vines and textured backgrounds for climbing and hiding. Create a drainage layer and use moisture-retentive substrates such as coconut fibre, orchid bark and leaf litter, add live plants for cover and humidity, and mist daily or use an automatic mister. Provide warm upper zones and cooler lower zones, shallow water dishes, low-level UVB and safe heat sources, and consider a bioactive setup with springtails and isopods for natural waste breakdown. Check temperature and humidity daily, clean and trim plants regularly, avoid short tanks, overcrowding and unsafe treated wood, and only add animals once the terrarium is fully stable.

  • Brown Basilisk: The Water-Running Dragon of Central America
    Exotic

    Brown Basilisk: The Water-Running Dragon of Central America

    Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus), the "Jesus lizard", is a fast, water-loving reptile best suited to experienced keepers. Native to Mexico and Central America, it needs a large, tall tropical vivarium with a deep pool, lots of climbing branches and strong UVB light. Housing for one adult should be about 180 x 90 x 180 cm. Temperatures: basking 32–35°C, daytime 26–29°C, cool 24–25°C and night 22–24°C. Keep humidity at 60–80% with daily misting and good ventilation. Diet is omnivorous: insects and protein items with leafy greens, squash and occasional fruit; use calcium and multivitamin supplements to avoid metabolic bone disease. Handle very little because they stress easily and may drop their tail. Lifespan in captivity is 8–12 years and breeding needs space and experience. This guide covers key care points for Brown Basilisk housing, heating, lighting, water, diet, handling and health.

  • Setting Up an Environment for Semi-Aquatic Juvenile Amphibians: A Complete Guide
    Exotic

    Setting Up an Environment for Semi-Aquatic Juvenile Amphibians: A Complete Guide

    This guide shows how to set up a safe home for semi-aquatic juvenile amphibians like newts, salamanders and some frogs. Use a low, wide tank: about 30 litre for a few juveniles and 60 litre or larger for groups. Aim for a roughly 50:50 land and water split, with water 4–8 cm deep and easy ramps or cork bark for access. Keep water clean with a gentle sponge or low-flow filter and change 25–50% twice weekly. Use dechlorinated water and remove uneaten food. Keep daytime temperatures about 20–24°C for temperate species, up to 26°C for tropicals, and humidity at 70–90% with regular misting. Feed small live prey daily or every other day, dust with calcium twice weekly and give multivitamin every 1–2 weeks. Spot clean land daily and replace substrate every few weeks. Avoid stagnant water, strong currents, poor land access and oversized prey. This setup helps juveniles grow healthy and show natural behaviour.

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