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Clint Bartley

Herpetology Expert

Clint Bartley is a Herpetology Expert based in Chandler, Indiana. He has over 30 years of experience working with reptiles, and opened Metazotics in 2022, a large reptile breeding facility and specialty store where Clint oversees a breeding colony of nearly 500 reptiles. Metazotics specializes in reptiles such as colubrids, ball pythons, geckos, tortoises, and more, and serves a national audience with their state-of-the-art online merchandise platform. Metazotics carries a comprehensive line of supplies and habitats, all bioactive enclosure needs, and works with local organizations to further the knowledge and understanding of reptiles.

Professional Achievements

  • Clint is known as an industry leader in asian rat snake and black rat snake mutations.
  • Clint has successfully reproduced more than 60 species of reptiles in captivity, and was the second person in the United States to produce Archelaphe bella chapaensis (bell rat snakes), and the first person in the U.S. to produce them twice.
  • Clint was brought on as a co-host for the popular podcast "Colubrid and Colubroid Radio" that focuses on colubrid snakes, their care, their breeding, and all knowledge needed to succeed in keeping them.

Certifications & Organizations

  • Vice President of the Tri-State Herpetological Society
  • Co-Host of "Colubrid and Colubroid Radio"
  • Former Owner of Bartley Reptiles
  • Owner of Metazotics

Favorite Piece of Advice

Keep and breed what you enjoy, not what others tell you is cool! Never think you are done learning or know it all, as there will always be new information to absorb.

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Q&A Comments (17)

How to identify copperhead snakes?
Identifying a copperhead snake involves observing variations in coloration, which can differ depending on their geographic location. They may range from a light tan to a vibrant orange hue. Characteristically, copperheads display a distinct Hershey Kiss-like pattern along their sides, resembling two overlapping Hershey Kisses along the spine, with the pattern extending down the sides. While some water snakes exhibit a similar triangular pattern, theirs typically consists of orange or red triangles against a gray background, contrasting with the copperhead's pattern. A key distinguishing feature of copperheads is their thicker, more triangular-shaped heads, which remain consistent in shape even when they are motionless and not facing directly toward an observer. In contrast, water snakes may exhibit this triangular shape only when feeling threatened. Additionally, copperheads tend to be relatively small in size. The most reliable method for identifying a copperhead involves discerning between the Hershey Kiss-like pattern characteristic of copperheads and the triangular pattern seen in some water snakes.
How do I know if a snake is venomous?
Identifying venomous snakes varies depending on location, as different countries have different species. In the United States, where only a few venomous snakes are found, recognition is relatively straightforward. Several subspecies of rattlesnakes exist, recognizable by their rattles. However, it's important to note that not all snakes producing a rattling noise are rattlesnakes; rat snakes and king snakes may mimic this behavior. Learning the native venomous species—rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes—facilitates distinguishing them from non-venomous snakes. Venomous snakes typically have thicker, more triangular-shaped heads, although water snakes and rat snakes can similarly flatten their heads when threatened. While no foolproof method exists, familiarizing oneself with the local venomous snakes significantly aids in identification, with typically only four species to recognize at most.
Are there other varieties of garter snakes?
In certain species and regions, garter snakes can appear almost entirely uniform, resembling mud with their olive or greenish-brown coloration. These distinctive stripes are also characteristic of ribbon snakes, which share a close relationship with garter snakes.
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Co-authored Articles (27)

How to

Tell If a Turtle Is Male or Female

If you keep pet turtles, it's nice to know if you've got boys or girls. However, unlike many mammals, turtles have no external genitalia. This makes determining their sex much more difficult, but it's not impossible. Th...

How to

Survive an Encounter with a Crocodile or Alligator

Crocodilians--alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and their kin kill hundreds of people each year. While most of these attacks occur in Africa and Asia, these powerful reptiles are also found in parts of South America, Aust...

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Identify a Venomous Snake

Snakes have captured our imagination—and fear—for as long as we've shared the planet together. They are the stuff of legend. While less than one third of all snake species are venomous (unless you live in Australia, ...

How to

Catch a Common House Lizard and Keep It As a Pet

Would you like to keep a house lizard as a pet? Lizards can make great pets because they are “low-maintenance.” They are quiet, not very messy, and do not need a lot of attention or space. However, make sure that you...

How to

Catch a Lizard

Everything you need to know to outsmart & capture a lizard Lizards are seen all over the world, but often only as a glimpse before it disappears back into a hiding spot! Fortunately, you can use these methods to outsmart...

How to

Tell the Difference Between a Milk Snake and a Coral Snake

Coral snakes and milk snakes look alike. However, it's important to know the difference, as coral snakes are venomous. The easiest way to distinguish between a coral snake and a milk snake is the color of its stripes. Y...

How to

Care for a Hibernating Turtle

Hibernation for cold-blooded animals is called "brumation." Many species of temperate-climate turtles and tortoises brumate, or hibernate, in the winter. Captive tortoises and turtles don't need to hibernate to survive, ...

How to

Make a Turtle Trap

Turtles are reptiles that populate certain land areas and or ponds and aquatic environments (likely depending on species). Their diets may vary depending on type and environment. You should release them after you catch ...

How to

Build Love With Your Bearded Dragon

When you own a bearded dragon, it is natural to want to love your pet. Your dragon also can have affection for you if you take care of him. Learn how to hold him appropriately, bathe, and house him. By providing a good a...

How to

Take Care of Lizard Eggs

You may have discovered a surprise in the form of newly laid eggs in your lizard's home, or maybe you decided to breed your lizards. Now that you have lizard eggs, you need to know how to take care of them to make sure t...

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Identify Snakes

With tips on differentiating venomous and non-venomous snakes Snakes are common reptiles across many parts of the world and there are many different species that you can learn all about! When identifying snakes, avoid ge...

How to

Treat Reptiles for Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A is an important nutrient for reptiles. It plays a major role in vision and keeps the immune system working properly. Vitamin A deficiency is common in reptiles and occurs when a reptile does not receive enough ...

How Many Crickets to Give a Bearded Dragon: Babies, Juveniles, & Adults

Keep your beardie happy and healthy with this nutritious diet It’s time to feed your newly hatched bearded dragon, but how do you know if you’ve given them enough crickets? These insects are an important part of you...

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Breed Waxworms

Reptile owners and fishermen both know the value of waxworms. After all, it's written right there on the price tag! Skip the weekly trip to the pet store by breeding them yourself. It's not difficult, and you get to watc...

How to Tell if a Corn Snake is Male or Female

Determine the sex of a corn snake At first glance corn snakes are not easy to sex because both males and females are of a similar color and length. They do not have external genitalia, making the difference between the s...

How to

Find a Snake

Snakes are very interesting creatures that seem to inspire either fear or curiosity in people. Snakes can be found nearly all over the planet, with over 3,000 known species. As long as you don't look in colder climates...

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Build a Reptile Cage

A reptile cage must do more than keep your reptile inside. It must provide it a safe, comfortable home and allow your reptile to enjoy his natural behaviors. The needs of reptiles vary according to species, and you must ...

How to

Differentiate Between Venomous and Non‐Venomous Snakes

Encountering a snake in the wild can be alarming, especially if you’re not sure what species it is. A bite from a venomous snake can be deadly. The best way to know whether you’re dealing with a venomous or non-venom...

How to

Feed an Anole Green Lizard

Green anoles are common lizards found in the southern United States, but just because they are common doesn’t mean they are boring! Green anoles are fascinating animals and having one as a pet can be very rewarding. It...

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Care for a Sick Bearded Dragon

Caring for a sick bearded dragon properly begins by assessing any signs of illness. Identifying the animal's symptoms allows you to assess the severity of them, begin treatment, and figure out whether they are getting wo...
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