Welcome to the Turtle Pond!  Reptile lovers can join the bunch and discover different reptiles and amphibians.  Shop at our stores provided here to help you raise a healthy, happy pet.

Reptile:

Reptiles had evolutionary advances from amphibians.  Reptiles developed a step further by evolving with a dry, scaly, and waterproof skin.  This allowed them to move onto drier areas and gave them the ability to breed on  land.

Did You Know??

Reptile Care Tip

UV lighting is very important for reptiles in order for them to develop properly.  Without adequate lighting, which provides vitamin D, bones cannot develop leading to metabolic bone disease.  Also, you will need to learn the specified lighting for your radiant reptile.

                                      Chamaeleonidae bradypodion

             Chameleons can be found in different sizes and body structures, from approximately 1 in to 24 in. Some have nasal protrusions, horn-like projections, or large crests on top of their head.  Males are typically much more ornamented than the female chameleons.  Some chameleons change color to their mood.  Sacks of pigment located on their skin allow this to occur.  Changing color is an expression of the physical and physiological condition of the lizard. The color also plays an important part in communication.  The main traits that most chameleon species share is their foot structure, their eyes, their lack of ears, and their tongue.  Chameleons have feet that are split into two main "fingers", with a soft pad in between. These "fingers" are equipped with sharp claws to gain traction on surfaces such as bark when climbing. They have two claws on the outside of their front foot and three on the inside, but on the back feet this is reversed. Chameleons have very long tongues, which they are capable of rapidly and quickly extending out of the mouth. The tongue has a sticky tip on the end, which serves to catch prey. The tongue's tip is a bulbous ball of muscle, and as it hits its prey, it rapidly forms a small suction cup. Once the tongue sticks to a prey item, it is drawn quickly back into the mouth, where the chameleon's strong jaws crush it and it is consumed.  Chameleons generally eat locusts, mantids, crickets, and other insects.  Some larger chameleons have been found to eat small birds and other lizards.  Their eyes are the most distinctive among the reptiles.  The upper and lower eyelids are joined, with only a pinhole large enough for the pupil to see through.  Chameleons can rotate and focus separately to observe two different objects simultaneously. It in effect gives them a full 360-degree arc of vision around their body. When prey is located, both eyes can be focused in the same direction, giving sharp vision and depth.   Numerous species of chameleon are available in the exotic pet trade. Jacksonii ssp and calyptratus are by far the most common, and are frequently captive-bred. Most species of chameleons are either banned from exportation from their native countries or have strict quotas placed on the numbers exported. However, lack of enforcement in what are mostly poor countries reduces the effectiveness of this listing. Captivity bred animals of the most popular species (Panther, Veiled, and Jackson's) are readily found.

Click on the picture for cool habitats for your lizards.

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