About Reptination

Last updated June 3, 2026

Why this site exists

Most reptile welfare problems trace back to information failures. Peer-reviewed research on pet reptile welfare consistently finds the same pattern: care sheets are too shallow, traditions outlive their evidence, and the specific mistakes that kill captive reptiles get less coverage than the topics that drive page views. The result is a hobby where well-intentioned keepers do the wrong things confidently.

Reptination's job is to close that gap. Every species page leads with the information density that committed keepers actually need, and explicitly flags the husbandry mistakes most associated with welfare problems for that species.

Editorial standards

Sources cited on every species page. The Merck Veterinary Manual's reptile section, the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), peer-reviewed herpetology journals, and species-specific authoritative references appear at the bottom of every guide.
"Last reviewed" date on every guide. Reptile husbandry research evolves. Lighting science changes. New diseases emerge. Guides get reviewed at least annually and dated accordingly.
Evidence over tradition. Where current research disagrees with widely-published advice, we explain the disagreement and pick a side based on the evidence.
No medical diagnosis. A sick reptile needs a veterinarian, not a website. We point readers to ARAV's vet finder and stay out of the diagnostic lane.
No conflicts of interest dressed as content. When we eventually add affiliate links (Phase 2 of this project), they appear only where the product genuinely earns recommendation and they're clearly disclosed. Editorial independence does not get rented out.

About the author

Max: reptile keeper based in Arizona.

Max writes and edits the Reptination care guides. He's the current keeper of a Red Niger Uromastyx (Uromastyx geyri), and has previously kept leopard geckos and bearded dragons. He's loved reptiles since he can remember.

His hands-on experience shapes what gets covered first and how it gets framed. The mistakes hub exists because real keepers (Max included) have made and recovered from many of these mistakes. The Uromastyx-specific notes draw directly on daily care of his own animal, basking temperatures, dietary balance, hydration habits, and the high-end UVB requirement that catches a lot of new Uromastyx keepers off-guard.

Max edits with the help of veterinary sources (Merck Vet Manual, ARAV care guides, peer-reviewed husbandry research) and a small editorial team. Every guide is cited and dated.

Contact

For corrections, source disagreements, or guide requests: hello@reptination.com

What this site is NOT

A breeder directory or classifieds platform (try MorphMarket or Kingsnake.com for those)
A veterinary service (find a real exotic-animal vet via ARAV)
A pet store or affiliate-only review site (we are an editorial publication; product recommendations are downstream of editorial)
A wildlife organization (try the IUCN Red List for conservation status)