Ben Team Bio & Articles

Every ball python has its own unique look – just like our fingerprints, they’re one-of-a-kind! But some ball pythons go beyond those subtle differences, with

Ball pythons are a bit notorious for refusing food. This isn’t as common in the modern world, given that most ball pythons on the market

It’s a good thing scale rot produces obvious symptoms, as it is a very serious illness. Without rapid care, most snakes that suffer from severe

A significant part of the appeal of ball pythons is the incredible colors and patterns some individuals exhibit. You may have to spend a pretty

I’d had this particular ball python for nearly six months, and he’d yet to eat voluntarily. These days, given that most ball pythons on the

Captive-bred ball pythons were occasionally available at that time, but the vast majority of specimens on sale were of the wild-caught, imported variety. These snakes

There isn’t really a “wrong” way to name your pet. We were kidding around before about calling your snake by name, but in actuality, your

Nobody cleans up natural habitats. Animals poop, shed their skins, and eventually die, leaving their lifeless corpses behind. But these biological materials don’t stick around

A lot of owners are nervous that their pet snake may eventually bite them. But don’t worry, it is usually not a big deal –

Corn snakes were either named for their tendency to hang out in cornfields (where rodents are abundant), or for the maize-like pattern on their ventral

Providing the proper habitat for your new pet corn snake is one of the most important things you’ll do as a keeper. Your snake’s habitat

Although I’ve always been slightly more partial to Indo-Australian pythons, I’ve maintained a handful of corn snakes over the years, primarily as ambassadors to the

In our introductory article to crested geckos, I mentioned the first time I encountered one of these lizards at a reptile expo in the late

Crested geckos are popular pets for a number of reasons. It’s easy to see why: They’re easy to feed, they have endearing personalities, and they

One of the reasons crested gecko husbandry is relatively simple is their diet: Crested geckos are one of the easiest reptile species to feed. They

I spent a lot of time selling reptiles to beginning keepers in the late 90s. I usually encouraged fledgling keepers to select species that were

Because ball pythons have a reputation for being difficult to feed, many new keepers are anxious to begin feeding trials. But don’t worry, I have

When choosing a pet reptile you have to understand their health issues and typical behaviors. Some species can be challenging for beginners, so look for

I still remember my first ball python (Python regius). I had already kept a few snakes, but they were all quite nippy. So, I was

Plants draw carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen, while animals breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. This means that it is theoretically

Wouldn’t it be great if your vivarium was as beautiful as functional? While it is always important to address the functional aspects of a vivarium first,

Substrate selection is a topic of considerable discussion and debate. As the art and science of vivarium design have matured, reptile and amphibian keepers have

Most reptiles and amphibians are cold-blooded animals. They depend on external sources of heat to drive their metabolisms and keep their bodies within the proper

There are A LOT of things to think about when setting up a vivarium. You have to decide what animals you’d like to keep, determine

Most plants and captive reptiles and amphibians require drinking water, but some also require water for soaking or swimming. Once you’ve decided on the best

The first thing you’ll need when constructing a vivarium is some type of enclosure. There are a number of different vivarium tank options available, and

Mention the word terrarium to a bunch of reptile keepers and they’ll likely envision a rainforest-style enclosure. But rainforests aren’t the only type of habitat

Providing your pet with an appropriate habitat requires that you not only understand his or her needs but that you also understand the needs of

Have you ever found yourself wondering if your favorite pet is living in the best possible conditions? Reptiles and amphibians are often challenging animals to