Reptiles (magazine)


Based in Irvine, California, Reptiles magazine is a North American magazine dedicated to the reptile and amphibian pet hobby, specializing in the keeping and breeding of these animals.

History

Fancy Publications, later BowTie Inc., launched the magazine in October 1993. After a year of publishing bimonthly, Reptiles went monthly in December 1994 due to increasing popularity of the magazine.
In February 2013, BowTie's magazine titles, including Reptiles, were purchased by I-5 Publishing, LLC. Other magazines previously published by BowTie that are now being published by I-5 include Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy and Horse Illustrated.
In December 2013 the website of Reptiles was launched.. On August 14, 2014 Reptiles Magazine website joined to celebrate the World Lizard Day.
In 2017, Reptiles magazine was sold again, the current owner is Living World Media.

Profile

Tips and information on keeping and breeding different herps usually make up the bulk of an issue’s feature articles, but other article topics frequently include field herping, reptile and amphibian health, conservation, and current trends in the hobby. Many contests are held for readers, as well, sponsored by a variety of reptile product manufacturers who provide prizes.
Although popular pet animals, such as bearded dragons, corn snakes, red-eared sliders, leopard geckos, crested geckos, Pac Man frogs, ball pythons, red-footed tortoises and many other common species often appear in the magazine, Reptiles also publishes articles about less commonly kept animals, such as Asian box turtles, Aldabra giant tortoises, various types of chameleons, black headed pythons, and occasionally venomous snakes and crocodilians.
Reptiles articles are written for a broad range of reptile enthusiasts, from the novice hobbyist to the veteran herpetoculturist. Respected reptile experts and breeders in the industry have written for the magazine.
Usually a reptile or amphibian species is featured on the cover, though Slash and Mark O'Shea were both cover subjects due to interviews they provided. A two-part interview with Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, appeared in the October and November 1999 issues.