Anthony Menendez
Reptile Expert & Animal Sanctuary
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Co-authored Articles (23)
How to
Care for a Tortoise
Did you know that tortoises have been on the planet for over 55 million years? They’re also some of the longest living animals on Earth—some tortoises have been known to live to be over 150 years old! Tortoises can m...
How to
Take Care of a Baby Tortoise
Tortoises are relatively easy pets to raise, although you will need some special equipment. Baby tortoises do not need to be treated much different than adults, except that you should take extra care to protect them from...
How to
Pet a Turtle
Turtles are arguably the cutest of all of the reptiles. Because of this, they are often desirable pets. However, turtles don’t really enjoy being handled and petted the same way other domestic animals do. This makes pe...
How to
Pet a Bearded Dragon
Learn how to properly handle a bearded dragonPetting your bearded dragon is one of the easiest ways to show it how much you care, and it helps to establish a bond between the two of you. To avoid startling your pet, use ...
How to
Teach a Bearded Dragon to Drink from a Water Bowl
Bearded dragons are lovely pets, but they can be very difficult when it comes to drinking. That's because they don't generally recognize standing water as something that will quench their thirst. However, they can learn ...
What Lizard Am I Quiz
From their epic skin sheds to their amazing colors, there’s no denying that lizards are some of the coolest creatures out there. But which lovable reptile are ''you'' most like? There’s only one way to find out. Hit...
How Long Can Turtles Go Without Food? Your Questions Answered
Find out how long your pet turtle can survive without a mealSo, you’re planning a vacation, but there’s one problem—your pet turtle. Can your little friend last a few days without food, or will they starve if you�...
How to
Hold a Bearded Dragon
Despite being used to portray strange and frightening creatures that puff up and attack in the movie “Holes,” bearded dragons are generally docile and tolerate handling better than other lizards species. Pet “beard...
How to
Feed a Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are one of the tamest reptiles, and their interesting personalities only add to their popularity for reptile-keepers. When it comes to feeding, however, bearded dragons can become hyperactive, and this ca...
How to
Tame a Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are not instinctively tame. Their natural instinct is to protect themselves by acting aggressively, running away, puffing themselves up, or trying to bite when you attempt to handle them. This is a natura...
How to
Build a Vivarium
A vivarium is an enclosed, live ecosystem, containing flora and fauna that are typically tropical in nature. Done right, it can provide a burst of living beauty to your living room! Before building your vivarium, decide ...
How to
Clean a Turtle Tank
If you own an aquatic turtle, you'll need to do a full cleaning of the tank a little more than once a month. Keeping the water clean for drinking and swimming is essential for the turtle's health. Sprucing up the tank in...
How to
Identify Turtles
Turtles are fascinating reptiles that can be found around the world. However, telling various species apart can be tricky. If you know what to look for, you can spot the differences between freshwater, land, and sea turt...
How to
Care for Live Crickets for Reptiles
Crickets are a great food to feed to your reptiles. Proper care and diet will ensure that your reptile has the most nutritious crickets possible. Crickets need a constant source of food and water in their cage. With a l...
How to
Breed Turtles
Turtles and other reptiles do not always thrive in captivity, especially when it comes to breeding. But if you love turtles and are up for the challenge, you can try breeding them on your own. Check out these steps to h...
How to
Tell the Difference Between a Tortoise, Terrapin and Turtle
Turtles, tortoises and terrapins are closely related reptiles of the order Testudines. These terms are often confused because of regional differences in English, and because the individual species look similar. Scientifi...
A Step-by-Step Guide to Making an Indoor Turtle Pond
How to build a safe, fun home for your pet turtleTurtles are becoming increasingly popular, but housing them can be difficult. Fish tanks do not provide them with the dry space they need and outdoor ponds expose them to ...
How to
Set up a Green Anole Tank
Green anoles are a small species of lizard, typically about from snout to tail. They are pretty easy to care for, and a great first species of lizard to keep as a pet if you’ve never owned a reptile before. Anoles are...
How to
Bathe a Russian Tortoise
Russian tortoises, also known as Horsfield’s tortoises, live in arid climates, and generally thrive in warm environments with low humidity. However, in a low-humidity habitat, they are at risk for becoming dehydrated, ...
How to
Look After Terrapins
Diamond back terrapins are commonly available and are sold in many pet stores. They are one of the most popular turtle breeds kept as pets. Proper terrapin care involves maintaining a clean, friendly environment, regular...
