Overview

Here’s a curated list of books I highly recommend to anyone passionate about animals, zoology, and the wonders of nature. These are books I personally own, frequently reference, or have thoroughly enjoyed reading from cover to cover.

Arcadia Guide Book - Reptile Nutrition

This comprehensive book is a must-have for reptile enthusiasts, offering the latest insights into nutrition for reptiles and exotic pets. It covers essential topics such as reptile hydration, nutrition, wild diets, supplementation, and effective gut-loading techniques for live food. Stay informed and give your reptiles the care they deserve with this invaluable resource.

Arcadia Guide Book - Bio-Activity

Another outstanding publication from Arcadia, the company renowned for producing some of the best reptile equipment in the world. This book delves into modern, advanced approaches to creating bioactive environments. It covers topics like selecting suitable live plant species, implementing solar recreation for optimal plant growth, and much more. I've started reading it and have been gradually incorporating its techniques to provide the highest level of care and husbandry possible. 

Arcadia Guide Book - Elements Series:Fire

Discover the Importance of Lighting for Your Pets

Arcadia delivers yet another insightful read, exploring the crucial role of lighting in your pets’ well-being. Learn how light is converted to vitamin D3 in reptiles, along with cutting-edge information on modern lighting systems. A must-read for every pet enthusiast!

Field Guide to Scorpions of South Africa

This recently published (2023) reference book on South African scorpions is an excellent resource, offering up-to-date and expert information. When I kept South African scorpions, specifically *Cheloctonus intermedius*, I struggled to find reliable care information online. Even many forums offered little to no details about this lesser-known species. That’s when I turned to books and discovered this gem. It provides comprehensive insights into their environments, behaviors, and care—everything you could need for understanding these fascinating creatures.

Bearded Dragon - Pet Expert: Understanding and Caring for Your Pet: Pet Book

This comprehensive guide offers reliable, up-to-date information on how to care for your bearded dragon. Widely available at Pets at Home, it’s an essential resource for anyone seeking to master the fundamentals of proper bearded dragon care.

Leopard Gecko - Pet Expert: Understanding and Caring for Your Pet

This is a modern husbandry book that is often distributed at pets at home and is avalable to people who get there first Leopard gecko and want to advance there husbandry. I use it for occasional reference and have read through it compleatly in the past i have found it to overall be a good read.

Frogs, Toads and treefrogs (A compleate pet owners Manual)

This classic book provides valuable insights into caring for tree frogs, as well as other frog and toad species. While I’ve only read part of it so far, it offers clear guidance on setting up proper terrariums, preventing diseases, and ensuring a healthy diet. It even includes tips on breeding certain species. Overall, it’s an informative and enjoyable read—I definitely need to go back and finish the rest!

An interpet guide to Reptiles and Amphibians

I came across this old book at a pet store, originally published in 1986. While some of the information is undeniably outdated compared to modern husbandry practices, it does feature some clever techniques and approaches that seem to have been forgotten over time. It's a fascinating glimpse into the past!

The Horned Frog Family and African Bullfrogs

This has been an excellent resource for caring for my South American horned frog. While some of the information is slightly outdated due to its age, it still offers a wealth of valuable insights and helpful tips. A truly worthwhile guide!

Popular Amphibians

I picked up this book on a whim because I was curious about the species it covers. While I don’t currently keep any of the species mentioned, it turned out to be an excellent read. The book thoroughly explores each species listed on the cover, covering topics like housing, feeding, behavior, and more. Although it was originally published in 2000, the information still seems highly relevant to modern practices. That said, I’m no expert on amphibians, but I found it both insightful and engaging.

Understanding Reptile Parasites

Originally published in 1993, this book is a rare and valuable resource for hobbyists, as it delves into the medical challenges faced by some of the animals within the field. While it does contain graphic sections featuring medical dissections—making it unsuitable for some readers—it remains highly relevant despite its age. The book provides invaluable guidance on identifying and addressing potential health issues, which can be especially helpful when consulting with an exotic veterinarian.

The Guide to Owning a green Anole

I recently came across another older book at a pet store, published in 1994. It covers a wide range of topics about Green anoles, focusing primarily on their care, housing, handling, and breeding. While much of the information feels outdated by today's standards, it still provides a solid foundation for understanding the basics of Green anole care.

Lizards Rare and Common

This rare and vintage book explores some of the most unique species within the hobby. While it may not be as detailed as other books on this list, it provides a solid overview of their care. Packed with plenty of reference photos, it’s an enjoyable and informative read for enthusiasts.