Common Average Lifespan

Name/Alternative Experience Level Activity Type of Diet

common name (years)

Gerbil/Mongolian Gerbil Beginner 3-4 Nocturnal Omnivore (mostly

herbivorous)

Omnivore (mostly
Chinese Dwarf Hamster Beginner 2 Nocturnal herbivorous)

Omnivore (mostly
Syrian Hamster Beginner 2 Nocturnal herbivorous)

Campbell's dwarf Omnivore (mostly

hamster Beginner 2 Nocturnal herbivorous)

Omnivore (mostly
Roborovski's Hamster Beginner 2 Nocturnal herbivorous)
Russian dwarf hamster Beginner 2 Nocturnal Omnivore (mostly
herbivorous)

Mouse Beginner 2 Nocturnal Omnivore

Rat Beginner 2-3 Diurnal/Nocturnal Omnivore

Guinea Pig Beginner 5-8 Diurnal Herbivore

Chinchilla Intermediate 10-15 Crepuscular Herbivore

 Diet Specifics Compatibility Special considerations Minimum Habitat Dimensions
(length*width*height) in inches

80% pelleted food (gerbil-

specific), 15% fresh
vegetables (red, green leaf Social when raised A gerbil's tail is fragile and
together in same sex should never be grabbed or 12*20*12
lettuce, squash, sweet pairs. held on to.
potato), 5% fresh fruits
(berries, oranges, melon)

80% pelleted food (hamster-

specific), 15% fresh Social when raised Escape artists! Make sure
vegetables (red, green leaf
lettuce, squash, sweet together in same sex that the habitat is designed 12*12*12
potato), 5% fresh fruits pairs. for mice and secure
(berries, oranges, melon)

80% pelleted food (hamster-

specific), 15% fresh
vegetables (red, green leaf
lettuce, squash, sweet
potato), 5% fresh fruits
(berries, oranges, melon)
Cheek pouches, which may
extend down the length of
House alone the body, are used to 20*10*12
temporarily store food

80% pelleted food (hamster-

specific), 15% fresh
vegetables (red, green leaf Social when raised Escape artists! Make sure
lettuce, squash, sweet together in same sex that the habitat is designed 12*12*12
pairs. for mice and secure
potato), 5% fresh fruits
(berries, oranges, melon)

80% pelleted food (hamster-

specific), 15% fresh Social when raised Roborovski hamsters are
vegetables (red, green leaf very active, so a species-
lettuce, squash, sweet together in same sex appropriate wheel is a 12*12*12
pairs.
potato), 5% fresh fruits necessity.
(berries, oranges, melon)
80% pelleted food (hamster-
specific), 15% fresh Social when raised Escape artists! Make sure
vegetables (red, green leaf together in same sex that the habitat is designed 12*12*12
lettuce, squash, sweet pairs. for mice and secure
potato), 5% fresh fruits
(berries, oranges, melon)

75% pelleted food (mouse- Can be housed in groups

specific), 20% fresh
vegetables (red, green leaf or pairs when raised Escape artists! Make sure
lettuce, squash, sweet together. Males can be that the habitat is designed 12*12*12
aggressive with other for mice and secure
potato), 5% fresh fruits males
(berries, oranges, melon)

75% pelleted food (rat-

specific), 20% fresh Rats are social animals Rats can become strongly
vegetables (red, green leaf and need company; it is bonded to their owners and
lettuce, squash, sweet better to keep them in a require more attention than 16*28*30
potato), 5% fresh fruits group. most smaller rodents
(berries, oranges, melon)

80% hay (timothy, oat,

meadow), 10% timothy-hay
based pellets, 5% fresh Daily Vitamin C
Social, do best in same supplementation
vegetables (red, green leaf is required 24*36*24
lettuce, bell peppers), 5% sex pairs. for health
fresh fruits (berries, apple,
oranges, banana)

80% hay (timothy, oat,

meadow), 10% timothy-hay Overheat easily, and should
based pellets, 5% fresh
vegetables (red, green leaf Social, do best in same be kept in a cool 24*24*42.5
lettuce, bell peppers), 5% sex pairs. environment. Requires
frequent dust baths.
fresh fruits (berries, apple,
oranges, banana)
 Common
Scientific Name Name/Alternative Experience Level Average Lifespan
(years)
common name

Chelonoidis carbonaria Red-Footed Tortoise Advanced 50+

Testudo spp.
This includes the Russian tortoise (Testudo
horsfieldii), Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca), Testudo spp. Intermediate 50+
and Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni)

Chrysemys picta Painted Turtle Intermediate 20-30

Trachemys scripta elegans Red-eared slider Intermediate 20-30

Dryophytes cinereus Green Tree Frog Beginner 5-10

Ceratophrys cranwelli Green Pacman Frog Beginner 8-12

Litoria caerulea White's Dumpy Tree Frog Beginner 8-12

(or White's Tree Frog)

Hymenochirus curtipes African Dwarf Frog Beginner 5-7

Bombina orientalis Fire Belly Toads Beginner 7-15

Heterometrus longimanus Asian Forest Scorpion Intermediate 5-8

Pandinus imperator Emperor Scorpion Beginner 5-8

Avicularia avicularia Pink Toe Tarantula Intermediate 4-20

Mexican Red Knee

Brachypelma hamorii Tarantula Beginner 4-20

Tliltocatl albopilosus Curly Hair Tarantula Beginner 4-20

Coenobita clypeatus Hermit Crab Beginner 10+ years

Anolis carolinensis Green anole Beginner 5

Anolis sagrei Bahaman Anole Beginner 5

Pogona vitticeps Bearded Dragon Beginner 10-12

Trioceros jacksonii Jackson's Chameleon Advanced 5-7

Chamaeleo calyptratus Veiled Chameleon Advanced 5-7

Furcifer pardalis Panther Chameleon Advanced 5-7

 Anolis barbatus Cuban False Chameleon Intermediate 7-10

Physignathus cocincinus Chinese water dragon Intermediate 8-12

Eublepharis macularius Leopard Gecko Beginner 14-16

Correlophus ciliatus Crested Gecko Beginner 10-15

Tiliqua gigas Blue-Tongued Skink Beginner 18-20

Boa constrictor Boa Constrictor Intermediate 20-25

Eryx colubrinus ssp. Kenyan Sand Boa Beginner 15-20

Pantherophis guttatus Corn Snake Beginner 18-23

Lampropeltis getula ssp. King Snake Beginner 20-25

Lampropeltis triangulum ssp. Milk Snake Beginner 20-25

Python regius Ball Python Intermediate 20-30

Lichanura trivirgata Rosy Boa Intermediate 15-20

Activity Type of Diet Primary Diet Specifics

plant matter (spring mix, dark, leafy greens and grasses/hay), pellets,
Diurnal Herbivore fruits (berries, melon, kiwi, etc), occasional (~monthly insects or thawed
frozen rodent)

plant matter (spring mix, dark, leafy greens and grasses/hay), pellets,
Diurnal Herbivore fruits (berries, melon, kiwi, etc)

Diurnal Omnivore Fortified aquatic turtle pelleted-based diet (1x daily), plant matter (dark,
leafy greens), occasional feeder fish (~every other week to monthly)

Diurnal Omnivore Fortified aquatic turtle pelleted-based diet (1x daily), plant matter (dark,
leafy greens), occasional feeder fish (~every other week to monthly)

Nocturnal Insectivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms)

Insectivore/Carnivo insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms,

Nocturnal waxworms)
re occasional appropriately-sized rodent

Nocturnal Insectivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms)

Diurnal Insectivore- pellet (sinking preferred), brine shrimp, tubifex worms, bloodworms
carnivore

Diurnal Insectivore insects (crickets dubia roaches, red wigglers or mealworms/superworms)

 insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms,
Nocturnal Insectivore waxworms)

Nocturnal Insectivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms,

waxworms)

insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms,

Nocturnal Insectivore
waxworms)

insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms,

Nocturnal Insectivore waxworms)

Nocturnal Insectivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms,

waxworms)

Crepuscular- Omnivore Pelleted Food, plant matter (dark, leafy greens), variety of fresh
Nocturnal vegetables/fruits

Diurnal Insectivore appropriately-sized crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms

Diurnal Insectivore appropriately-sized crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms

Juvenile: 50% insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms,

Diurnal Omnivore meal/superworms, 50% plant matter (dark, leafy greens, squash, carrots,
etc)
Adult: 90% plant matter, 10% other

Diurnal Insectivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms)

Diurnal Omnivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms)

plant matter (dark, leafy greens, hibiscus leaves & flowers, etc)

Diurnal Insectivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms)

 Diurnal Insectivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms)

Diurnal Omnivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms), plant

matter (dark, leafy greens, squash, carrots)

Crepuscular-
Insectivore insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, meal/superworms)
Nocturnal

Juvenile: 1x-EOD insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms,

Crepuscular- Insectivore/Frugivo meal/superworms), nutritionally-balanced powdered diet at all times
Nocturnal re Adults: weekly insects (crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms,
meal/superworms), nutritionally-balanced powdered diet at all times

50% vegetables (dark, leafy greens, squash, carrots, sweet potato), 40%
Diurnal Omnivore protein (canned prepared BTS food, variety of canned cat food), 10% fruit
(melon, berries, etc)
Occasional thawed-frozen appropriately-sized rodents

Diurnal Carnivore Appropriately-sized rodent weekly

Nocturnal Carnivore Appropriately-sized rodent weekly

Nocturnal Carnivore Appropriately-sized rodent weekly

Nocturnal Carnivore Appropriately-sized rodent weekly

Nocturnal Carnivore Appropriately-sized rodent weekly

Nocturnal Carnivore Appropriately-sized rodent weekly

Crepuscular- Carnivore Appropriately-sized rodent weekly

Nocturnal
 Generally Recommended Supplement Regiment Housing
considerations

Can live in small

groups (1 male only)
calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month)
in size-appropriate
habitats

Can live in small

groups (1 male only)
calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month) in size-appropriate
habitats

None House alone

None House alone

Can live in small

calcium w/vitamin D3 (2x/week), multivitamin (2x/month) groups (1 male only)
in size-appropriate
habitats

Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) House alone

Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2x/week), multivitamin (2x/month)

Can live in small

calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week) groups (1 male only)
multivitamin (1x/week) in size-appropriate
habitats

Can live in small

None groups (1 male only)
in size-appropriate
habitats

Can live in small

Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) groups (1 male only)
Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month) in size-appropriate
habitats
 None House alone

None House alone

None House alone

None House alone

Social and should live

None Housegroups
in small alone in
size-appropriate
habitats.
3-5 empty larger
carotene & calcium/cuttlebone shells / hermit crab
should be available.
Substrate should be
at least three times
Can live
deeper in the
than small
crab
calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week) groups (1 male
is big (important only)
for
multivitamin (1x/week) inmolting
size-appropriate
process)
habitats

Can live in small

calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week) groups (1 male only)
multivitamin (1x/week) in size-appropriate
habitats

Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (4-5x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) Better if housed alone

Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month)

Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (4-5x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) Better if housed alone

Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month)

Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (4-5x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) Better if housed alone

Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month)

Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (4-5x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) Better if housed alone

Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month)
 Can live in small
Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (3-4x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) groups (1 male only)
Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month) in size-appropriate
habitats

Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) House alone

Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month)

Can live in small

Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) groups (1 male only)
Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month) in size-appropriate
habitats

Can live in small

**DUST INSECTS** groups (1 male only)
Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) in size-appropriate
Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month)
habitats

Juvenile: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (1x/week) House alone

Adult: calcium w/vitamin D3 (2-3x/week), multivitamin (2x/month)

None House alone

None House alone

None House alone

None House alone

None House alone

None House alone

None House alone

 Day Temperature gradient degrees F (degrees C)
Recommended Minimum Night Temperature
Habitat Dimensions ***TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS FOR REPTILES REQUIRE gradient degrees F
(length*width*height) in inches A COOL SIDE (LOWER TEMPS LISTED) AND A WARM (degrees C)
SIDE (HIGHER TEMPS LISTED) TO THRIVE***

Juvenile: 36*20*20
70-95 (21-35) 70-76 (21-24)
Adult: 48*48*16

36*20*20 72-95 (22-35) 70-80 (21-27)

10 gallons per 1 inch of shell Dry: 75-95 (24-35) 65-75 (18-24)

length Water: 72-77 (22-25)

10 gallons per 1 inch of shell Dry: 75-95 (24-35) 65-75 (18-24)

length Water: 72-77 (22-25)

18*18*24 70-85 (21-29) 70-75 (21-24)

20*10*12 65-85 (18-30) 65-75 (18-24)

18*18*24 70-85 (21-29) 70-75 (21-24)

16*8*10 Water: 70-82 (21-28) Water: 70-82 (21-28)

20*10*12 72-78 (22-26) 72-78 (22-26)

 20*10*12 70-80 (21-27) 65-75 (18-24)

20*10*12 70-80 (21-27) 65-75 (18-24)

20*10*12 70-80 (21-27) 65-75 (18-24)

20*10*12 70-80 (21-27) 65-75 (18-24)

20*10*12 70-80 (21-27) 65-75 (18-24)

10 gallons for every 2 crabs 75-85 (24-30) 70-75 (21-24)

10*12*20 75-90 (24-32) 65-75 (18-24)

10*12*20 75-90 (24-32) 65-75 (18-24)

Juvenile: 30*12*12 75-100 (24-38) 68-74 (20-23)

Adult: 36*18*18

16*16*30 70-85 (21-30) 55-67 (13-19)

16*16*36 70-95 (21-35) 65-70 (18-24)

16*16*36 75-95 (23-35) 70-75 (21-24)

Juvenile: 10*12*20
Adult: 16*16*30 75-90 (23-32) 65-75 (18-24)

Juvenile: 30*12*12 75-95 (24-35) 65-75 (18-24)

Adult: 48*18*21

Juvenile: 20*10*12
75-90 (24-32) 65-75 (18-24)
Adult: 30*12*12

Juvenile: 10*12*20
Adult: 18*18*24 75-85 (24-30) 65-75 (18-24)

Juvenile: 30*12*12 75-95 (24-35) 67-75 (19-24)

Adult: 36*18*18

Juvenile: 30*12*12 75-90 (24-32) 70-80 (21-27)

Adult: 48*24*36

Juvenile: 30*12*12 80-95 (27-35) 75-80 (23-27)

Adult: 36*18*18

Juvenile: 30*12*12 70-85 (21-30) 65-75 (18-24)

Adult: 36*18*18

Juvenile: 30*12*12 70-85 (21-30) 68-74 (20-23)

Adult: 36*18*18

Juvenile: 30*12*12 70-85 (21-30) 68-74 (20-23)

Adult: 36*18*18

Juvenile: 30*12*12 80-90 (27-32) 70-80 (21-27)

Adult: 36*18*18

Juvenile: 30*12*12 70-90 (21-32) 65-75 (18-24)

Adult: 36*18*18
 Type of UVB (if applicable)
Humidity range % Underfloor Heat Radiant Heat UVB? High output (10.0 UVB) = desert
Source Source
Low output (5.0 UVB) = tropical

50-80 Yes Yes Yes Tropical

Greek & Hermann's: 40-

60% Yes Yes Yes Desert
Russian: 30-50%

n/a Optional Yes Yes Desert

n/a Optional Yes Yes Desert

60-80 None Yes Optional Tropical

70-80 Optional Optional Yes Tropical

60-80 None Yes Yes Tropical

n/a None None None None

80 Optional Yes Yes Tropical

 Optional,
70-80 thermostat/rheostat Optional None None
must be used

Optional,
70-80 thermostat/rheostat Optional None None
must be used

Optional,
70-90 thermostat/rheostat Optional None None
must be used

Optional,
30-70 thermostat/rheostat Optional None None
must be used

Optional,
70-90 thermostat/rheostat Optional None None
must be used

70-80 Optional Optional Optional Tropical

60-80 None Yes Yes Tropical

60-80 None Yes Yes Tropical

20-30 Optional Yes Yes Desert

50-80 None Yes Yes Tropical

50-80 None Yes Yes Tropical

60-80 None Yes Yes Tropical

60-80 None Yes Yes Tropical

50-80 Optional Yes Yes Tropical

10-30 Yes Yes Yes Tropical

50-80 None Yes Yes Tropical

50-70 Optional Yes Yes Tropical

50-60 Yes Optional Optional Tropical

10-30 Yes Optional Optional Tropical

30-50 Yes Optional Optional Tropical

30-50 Yes Optional Optional Tropical

30-50 Yes Optional Optional Tropical

30-50 Yes Optional Optional Tropical

10-30 Yes Optional Optional Tropical

 Habitat - Biome Habitat - Arboreal vs.
Terrestrial

Forest - Tropical Terrestrial

Desert - Semiarid Terrestrial

Freshwater Semi-aquatic

Freshwater Semi-aquatic

Forest - Tropical Arboreal

Forest - Terrestrial
Tropical/Temperate

Forest - Tropical Arboreal

Freshwater Aquatic

Freshwater Semi-aquatic
 Forest - Tropical Terrestrial

Forest - Terrestrial
Temperate/tropical

Forest - Tropical Arboreal

Desert - Semiarid Terrestrial

Forest - Terrestrial
Temperate/tropical

Tropical Terrestrial

Forest - Tropical Arboreal

Forest - Tropical Arboreal

Desert - Hot & Dry Terrestrial

Forest - Tropical Arboreal

Forest - Arboreal
Tropical/Semiarid

Forest - Tropical Arboreal

 Forest - Tropical Arboreal

Forest - Tropical Aboreal-Terrestrial

Desert - Semiarid Terrestrial

Forest - Tropical Arboreal

Forest - Temperate Terrestrial

Forest - Tropical Arboreal-Terrestrial

Desert - Semiarid Terrestrial

Forest - Temperate Terrestrial

Forest - Temperate Terrestrial

Forest - Temperate Terrestrial

Forest - Temperate Terrestrial

Desert - Semiarid Terrestrial