Great Pet Keepers Info.

If you are into reptiles, you can not go wrong with the many, many issues of Reptiles magazine. They are very factual about their information. Sometimes they even give personal opinions and experieices. There are sectons about the care of animals, sections about the population and legal status, and also sections about animal search expeditions.
In the Dec. 2001 issue, they have a great article on the conservation of the Aruba Island Rattlesnake. I personally spend time studying and learning about this species as well. They are very factual on their information. They do not get information from books, or other written documents, they interview people that have gone to the island of Aruba and worked with these animals firsthand.
They also have wonderful keeping and breeding information on different species each month. Like in the Feb. 2002 issue, they give great informatnion on keeping and breeding Feas vipers and Pictus geckos, again, they have done all of this themselves, and know what works and what doesnt.
I would recommend these magazines to everyone into reptiles and/or amphibians. They have great beginner information, like good choices for the first pets, and how to take care of them. They are also good for the advanced keepers. They give information on keeping and breeding rare and difficult animals, They also have interesting search expeditions that interest people of all experience levels.

If you're into Reptiles, this is the mag for you!

What a great magazine! In a world that's often less than thrilled with cold-blooded pets, it's often hard to find a source of information on reptiles and amphibians. Well, look no further than Reptiles Magazine! It's filled with great articles on common herptiles from the pet trade, as well as features on rarer specimens that normal pet owners would have to travel across the world to see. The color photography in this magazine is absolutely tops, and stories on care and feeding of animals are always informed, accurate and well written. I, my wife, and all my reptile and amphibian pets love it! You will too.

It's hard to review a magazine, but...

On the whole, Reptiles magazine is *not* really worth it for more advanced herpers. There's a preponderance of articles that relate primarily to care of animals; this is not bad, but myself, I prefer to read about an animals natural ecology and habitat (and microhabitat) and behaviours, and figure out the care from that information; it works just as well if not better, and allows one to actually learn about animals rather than following cookie cutter information.

Furthermore, there is a focus on easier species. This isn't really a bad thing per se; I'm happy that the novice keeper is bombarded with info on easier species, maybe it'll help keep them from getting in over thier heads with harder species. It's just that I don't really want to read another article over caring for Lampropeltis or Elaphe every month.

That said, sometimes Reptiles has a great article; some time ago they did a multiple issue article over african varanids (focusing savs and whitethroats, but dealing with most species) that was really wonderfull. They've done great articles on jumping vipers, and conservation issues. Also, they have some really fairly interesting stories about people's interaction with herps. It's worth picking up maybe every few months, but I don't subscribe.