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Monday 9am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm Thursday 9am - 5:30pm Friday 9am - 5:30pm Saturday 9am - 5:30pm Sunday 10am - 4:30pm

Elm court reptiles

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Elm court reptiles

Elm courts new reptile house

06/11/2025

🌿 Species Spotlight: The Ambilobe Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) 🦎

This handsome male Ambilobe Panther Chameleon is a perfect example of why these reptiles are so admired among keepers and herpetologists alike. Native to the Ambilobe region of Madagascar, males display some of the most vibrant coloration in the chameleon world — think fiery reds, deep blues, and bright greens that shift with mood, temperature, and social interactions.
🔹 Scientific name: Furcifer pardalis
🔹 Locale: Ambilobe, Madagascar
🔹 Lifespan: 5–7 years in captivity
🔹 Diet: Insects such as crickets, roaches, and silkworms — all gut-loaded and dusted with calcium
🔹 Habitat: Warm, well-ventilated enclosures with plenty of climbing branches and live plants
💡 Did you know?
Panther chameleons don’t change color to camouflage with their surroundings — they do it to communicate! A calm male might display soft greens and blues, while a territorial or excited one can flash brilliant reds and yellows within seconds.
Educating yourself on locale, diet, and proper setup is key to keeping these incredible reptiles thriving in captivity.

📍 Visit us at elm courts reptile house to learn more about responsible chameleon care or see this beautiful male in person!

03/11/2025

Our stunning male Kimberly rock monitor showing off this morning 🦎

26/10/2025

🔥 Species Spotlight: Fire-Bellied Toad (Bombina spp.) 🐸

Vibrant, bold, and full of attitude — meet the fire-bellied toad! These small amphibians might look cute, but their bright red or orange bellies send a clear message: “I’m toxic — don’t touch!”

🌿 Habitat: Native to parts of Asia and Europe, they love calm ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams.

🎨 Looks: Their green-and-black backs provide camouflage, while their fiery bellies warn off predators.

☠️ Toxicity: Fire-bellied toads secrete a mild toxin from their skin — harmless with proper handling, but enough to make predators think twice.

🧠 Fun Fact: When threatened, they perform the unken reflex — arching their back and showing off their bright underside like a living warning sign!

💧 Conservation: Though not endangered, habitat loss and pollution threaten their wetland homes.
Small in size but big in personality, the fire-bellied toad proves that sometimes, standing out is the best way to survive.

21/10/2025

🦎💙 Species Spotlight: Blue Phase Green Iguana 🌿

Say hello to ‘Blue’ the stunning Blue Phase Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) — one of nature’s most dazzling color morphs! Native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, these arboreal reptiles shimmer in shades of aqua, turquoise, and sky blue, making them truly unforgettable.

💙 Fun Facts:
• The “blue phase” isn’t a separate species — it’s a color variation of the Green Iguana!
• Their striking blue tones are most vivid in sunlight and can shift slightly with mood and temperature.
• Like all Green Iguanas, they’re strict herbivores, feasting on leaves, fruits, and flowers.
• They use their long tails for balance, communication, and defense — a powerful whip when threatened!
• In the wild, these iguanas are important seed dispersers, helping tropical forests thrive.

🌴 Though captivating, iguanas face challenges from habitat loss and the wild-caught pet trade, which threaten wild populations. Admire them responsibly and support conservation!

19/10/2025

Our female rhino iguana Penelope exploring her enclosure after we gave it a spruce up ✨🦎.

10/10/2025

🦗 NEW LIVEFOOD OFFER! 🦗

We’ve got a fresh deal for our reptile keepers! 🐍

Get 3 Pre-Pack tubs of locusts, mealworms, silent crickets, black crickets or banded crickets for just £7.50! 🪳✨

👉 This offer is exclusive to our Loyalty Card holders and replaces the usual 5% discount on these items.

Don’t have a card yet?
🟩 Loyalty Cards are completely FREE!
Just sign up at the tills today and start saving on your reptile’s favorite snacks!

📍 Elm Court Reptile House

06/10/2025

🎃🦎 Halloween Reptile Event! 👻🐍

Back again for spooky season — we’re hosting another amazing reptile event with the brilliant RDJ Reptiles! 🐍✨

Join us for a fun-filled, hands-on Reptile Handling & Education Event that’s perfect for all ages.

💚 Don’t worry — there’s nothing scary about their lovely ambassador reptiles!

They’re here to show that reptiles are gentle, fascinating, and far from frightening. Come along to learn, handle, and fall in love with these incredible creatures.

📅 Dates: 22nd – 23rd October
🕒 Time: 10am – 4pm
💰 £2 handling fee per handle
📍 Location: Garden Cafe, Elm Court Garden Centre

🕷️ Come dressed in your best Halloween outfit, take some spooky-cute photos, and enjoy a day packed with education, interaction, and reptile fun for the whole family.

✨ Because this Halloween, it’s not about the scare — it’s about sharing the love for reptiles!

05/10/2025

🐢💡Understanding UVB: The Key to Healthy Tortoises and Reptiles💡🐢

This lovely Hermann’s tortoise has just come to us as a hand in from a lovely couple who found him abandoned. This is a heartbreaking example of what happens when reptiles don’t receive proper UVB lighting or the right vitamins and minerals in their diet.

Without UVB, tortoises can’t produce vitamin D₃, meaning they can’t absorb calcium properly. Over time, this leads to metabolic bone disease (MBD) soft, deformed shells, weak bones, pain, and often a lifetime of suffering. 💔

UVB isn’t optional — it’s essential for every tortoise and reptile species that basks in sunlight in the wild.

🌞 What they need:
✅ A quality UVB bulb (replaced every 6–12 months)
✅ Daily access to natural sunlight whenever possible
✅ Calcium supplementation with vitamin D₃ (species-appropriate)
✅ A varied, natural diet rich in leafy greens

If you keep tortoises or reptiles — please take this seriously. They depend on us to recreate the environment nature designed for them. 💚

⚠️ This post isn’t to shame — it’s to educate and prevent. Share this so others don’t make the same mistake.

💚 The good news: This tortoise is now in safe hands and will be going to a local tortoise sanctuary, where it will receive the proper care, UVB lighting, nutrition, and love it deserves.

04/10/2025

🌊✨ Species Spotlight: The Amazing Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)! ✨🌊

Meet the axolotl, also known as the Mexican walking fish — though it’s not actually a fish at all, but a type of neotenic salamander! 🦎💧 Native to the ancient canals of Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City, these smiley amphibians are true icons of resilience and regeneration.

💡 Fun Facts:
🌱 Axolotls never fully metamorphose — they stay aquatic with feathery gills their whole lives!

🪄 They can regrow entire limbs, parts of their heart, spinal cord, and even brain tissue.

🌸 Their name comes from the Nahuatl word āxōlōtl, meaning “water monster” — though we think they’re more like water angels.

💧 Once common in the wild, axolotls are now critically endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species.

🫶 Why they matter:
Axolotls aren’t just adorable — they’re helping scientists understand tissue regeneration and healing. Protecting them means protecting both biodiversity and future medical breakthroughs.

📸 Swipe to see their stunning gills up close and learn more about how you can support conservation efforts for the Axolotls!

01/10/2025

🦎 Species Spotlight: Toad-Headed Agama

✨ Desert masters of disguise
📍 Range: Central Asia & the Middle East – from Kazakhstan to Iran
🏜️ Habitat: Dry deserts, sandy plains, and rocky steppes
📏 Size: Small! Around 4–6 inches (10–15 cm)
🌞 Adaptation: These lizards bury into sand to escape the desert heat

🔍 Fun Facts:
- Named for their broad, flattened heads that look a bit like a toad.
- Some species can “dance” on hot sand, lifting their feet in turns to avoid overheating.
- They rely on camouflage, blending into the desert so well they’re nearly invisible.
When threatened, some raise their tails and open their brightly colored mouths as a warning.
- Their fringed toes help them run quickly across loose sand without sinking.

💡 Why They’re Amazing:
Toad-headed agamas are tiny survivalists, thriving in one of the harshest environments on Earth. They’re a reminder that desert life is full of surprising adaptations!

06/09/2025

🚀 Introducing the NEW Arcadia Snake Food EVO-RX 🐍✨

Feeding snakes has traditionally meant rodents… but not every keeper feels comfortable with that. The Arcadia EVO-RX is a groundbreaking alternative, created for keepers who want a safe, balanced, and rodent-free diet without compromising their animal’s health.

Formulated by reptile nutrition experts, EVO-RX is packed with carefully selected proteins, vitamins, and minerals to support:
🌿 Healthy growth and body condition
💎 Strong scales and vibrant coloration
🐍 Natural feeding behavior

For many snakes, EVO-RX offers all the benefits of a complete diet — without the need for whole-prey feeding. That means less stress for you, while still giving your animal the nutrition it needs to thrive.

✅ Complete, high-quality nutrition
✅ 100% rodent-free 🐭❌
✅ Convenient and easy to store
✅ Backed by Arcadia’s trusted research and development

Whether you’re a first-time keeper or a lifelong herper, EVO-RX makes reptile care easier, cleaner, and more compassionate — without cutting corners on quality.

👉 Available now. Level up your reptile care with Arcadia EVO-RX.

29/08/2025

We’re all set up at Elm Court and ready for 2 amazing days of reptile handling experiences and education! 🐍🦎🐢

Come along, meet our incredible animals up close, and learn some fascinating facts about the world of reptiles. Perfect for families, animal lovers, and anyone curious to get hands-on with these amazing creatures.

Elm court reptiles Elm Court Garden Centre

Address

Elm Court Garden Centre
Gillingham
ME73JQ

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm
Saturday	9am - 5:30pm
Sunday	10am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441634813778

Website

https://elmcourtgardencentre.co.uk/home/exotic-pets/

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