NKS Reptiles

02/13/2025

👀

02/09/2025

Sulcata are awesome but not a good choice for most.

While they are readily available, many people underestimate African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata), frequently referred to as “sulcatas.” These tortoises are native to Africa, south of the Sahara desert, in the transitional grassland savanna area known as the Sahel. They are the largest extant species of tortoise from a mainland area anywhere in the world; the only larger tortoises alive today are from insular (island) habitats.

How large are we talking? This is important, because they breed easily under human care, and as babies they are little, and mighty cute. Adults can easily reach over 200 lbs. Over the first several years of their lives, they grow rapidly. That tiny baby tortoise doesn’t stay that way for long at all. Additionally, this species can easily live for more than 70 years. These reptiles are no short term commitment.

While there are many reptile species that do quite well in an apartment, sulcatas are not one of them. An unfortunate surprise for many, sulcatas are in fact adept burrowers. They may view drywall as their unmissable opportunity to role play as the iconic Kool-Aid Man. They may view that porcelain toilet in your bathroom as a temporarily annoying speed bump. They have been known to burrow under a fence far faster than you might imagine. They are also stunningly intelligent.

Sulcatas are herbivores, and their best diet should include lots of high fiber, low protein greens and grasses. That said, some of the trouble these tortoises can get into includes eating “anything.” Spaces for housing these tortoises need to be very carefully checked over to prevent them being able to escape, harm themselves, or your home. Sulcatas also require UVB lighting to properly support their health.

If you think you have what it takes to provide a good, safe home for one of these intelligent and needy tortoises, please be sure to talk with people who work with this species often, learn what they really need, and keep an eye out for tortoises near you which may have grown past being cute babies and need a new home. Definitely do a lot of research on this species before bringing home that wee baby sulcata!
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The photograph used in this post is © Hillary Chandanais, and used with permission.

02/04/2025

USARK Florida auction after Tampa ReptiCon

Auction to benefit USARK FL
Saturday Feb 22, 2025 4pm
at Repticon Tampa

Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 US-301
Tampa, FL 33610

The auction will be in the entertainment hall upstairs above the show.

Please donate auction items. Thank you so much!

02/02/2025

Today is National Serpent Day!
You’re supposed to show your appreciation for their role in our ecosystem by: reading about, watching a movie or documentary, creating a post or sharing experiences with snakes. Tell us what’s your favorite snake or experience with a snake!

01/29/2025

You don’t have to like them…and we don’t have to like you…

01/22/2025

It's definitely alot colder in Florida than normal.
Here are some tips

We would like to remind keepers to keep an eye on temperatures. Too hot can be damaging as well s9 please monitor your temps.

Many outdoor animals may need to be brought inside or secured in warm areas.

Please ensure when use carriers, totes, or cages that they are latched and secured.

Keep heaters away from things that could cause fires.

Check your heaters make sure there are no exposed wires. If you are supplying supplemental heat that you don't normally ( temporary do to cold) use please ensure they are secured and plugged into a thermostat.

We do suggest checking outdoor buildings and such every few hours or use a digital wifi thermostat that sends notifications when temps hit certain levels, as breakers get old and outages do occur.

For future possible cold weather we do suggest keep reptile hot packs on hand in case of emergencies as well as things like totes, carriers and even break down cages if possible.

Be safe everyone :)

01/12/2025

Pearl Volunteering for the USARK FL booth at Orlando ReptiCon.
🐍

01/09/2025

Just a giant lizard taking advantage of the fountain.
🦎⛲️

01/07/2025

Toretto enjoying some spa time.
🦎🧖🏼‍♀️

12/31/2024

Wishing everyone a safe and prosperous new year!
🥂🎆🎉
#2025

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!! We hope everyone is having an enjoyable holiday season!
🎁🎄🦎

12/24/2024

“Congratulations…” 😂

12/21/2024

Shout out to everyone involved in rescuing this big boy! He was found wondering around while temperatures plummeted dangerously low! Thanks to the quick response from Wild Things Exotics, FWC and Green Swamp Exotics, this sweet guy gets another chance to live a happy life with a loving family! 💗


Wild Things Exotic AnimalsMyFWC Florida Fish and WildlifeGreen Swamp Exotics, LLC.

12/05/2024

Yep…😆

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!
🦃🍁🦃🍁🦃