Geckotah

31/03/2024

Look at the incredible colors on this blazing blue collared lizard at Innovative Ectotherms! 💙✨ TRR is made possible by Reptile Basics

29/03/2024

26/03/2024

19/03/2024

I’m going to have a plethora of enclosure plants or regular houseplants available come late April/ May for sure. Maybe a few more cold blooded friends again. Stay tuned! Thanks for everyone for the continued support during this break we’ve had!

19/03/2024

13/03/2024

Why We Kill Our Chameleons Through Our Care?

Believe it or not, most of us keeping chameleons, despite of declared interest, fascination and love, rather systematically kill them than care for their long and high quality life...
It is hard to admit but it is like this.

Otherwise it is very hard to explain why such a common Chamaeleon like Chamaeleo calyptratus reaches normally the lifespan of 5 to 7 years while it can easily live up to 16 in captivity; why F. pardalis mostly dies at 4-5 years while it can easily live 10.
The reason lays in the specific chameleon biology: chameleons are stenoecous, it means they inhabit a very narrow niche, to which they are strictly bound as a result of millions of years of co-evolution and adaptation to it. Every single - even the tiniest environmental factor - is therefore crucial for their well-being and survival.
In captivity, we ignore their requirements and underestimate them, we play Gods and think we can outsmart the Mother Nature.
The result is however a tragedy.
There are few most important killer-factors in chameleon husbandry, such as:

1. Overfeeding resulting in obesity
2. Overheating resulting in speeding the metabolism
3. Wrong hydration (regime, method and quantity)
4. Wrong nutrition including supplementation
5. Wrong Lighting incl. UV
6. Wrong caging
7. Fake plants and accessories
8. Wrong handling and manipulation
9. Exposure to predators
10. Wrong healthcare and hygiene

If we act wrongly and irresponsibly and always shake the head and say "it is good enough", then we get the result, the "lifetime reverse count down":

16 years maximum longevity in C. calyptratus
Obesity: minus 4 years
Overheating: minus 3 years
Wrong hydration: minus 2 years
Wrong nutrition: minus 2 years
Result: 5 Years life expectancy maximum

This is not acceptable!

What to do?

There is one way only:
Study chameleons in the wild,
Pay attention to the smallest details
Analyze and try to understand their meaning
Share
and then
simulate them meaningfully in the captivity.
The name of the game is Naturalistic Chamaeleonoculture!

There is nothing "good enough", other than "the best possible".

02/02/2024

This boy. More information available

29/01/2024

When temps are optimal I have many enclosure plants available! Let me know if you’re in need. All live plants.

16/01/2024

On behalf of the Barczyk family and our entire team at The Reptarium, it is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Brian Barczyk.

More than the guiding light of our organization, Brian's fervent passion for reptiles and wildlife, along with his steadfast dedication to education, has touched innumerable hearts and minds globally.

Our deepest sympathies are with Brian's family, his friends, and all those whose lives he has touched. We've lost an exceptional individual – a visionary, mentor, and friend. For those of us who had the privilege of working alongside him, Brian's absence leaves an immeasurable void.
As we navigate this difficult time, we find comfort in the memories and the lasting light of Brian's work. He will be deeply missed but indeed, never forgotten.

The Barczyk family invites you to join us for a Public Memorial Walk-through to honor Brian’s memory. The event will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Heritage Church, located at 44625 Schoenherr Rd. Sterling Heights, MI 48313 from 1-3pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to show your support by visiting https://thereptarium.com/pages/brianbarczyk . Your engagement and involvement are greatly valued during this time.

Also, at LegaSea's opening, visitors will find Brian's handprints. Guests place their hands in his, continuing his legacy in a simple, yet powerful gesture. Please continue to follow this page for updates.

Brian, we will see you in the next one. Everyone else, see you at LegaSea.

- The Reptarium Team.

Contact Information for Inquiries and Tributes:

For media inquiries, please contact our Marketing Director at [email protected]

and

For more information on how you can become a LegaSea sponsor, please email our Director of Community Relations at [email protected] for other questions, please email [email protected]

06/01/2024

Both of these fine fellas have been major inspirations for me. Be kind, be passionate, make a difference.♥️🦎🐢🐍🐊

10/11/2023

Wow! It’s been a minute… a lot going on personally. I do, however, have some availability. Please message me here or if you have my number, text. Thanks!

31/10/2023

Spending time with the parson chameleons is always quite the tranquil experience ✌️

13/09/2023

I found 2 crestie eggs, babies on the way! Red confetti X extreme cream Harley

17/07/2023

07/06/2023

07/06/2023

Beautiful female. Still changing. Laid her first duds.

22/05/2023

Hourglass tree frog 🐸

18/05/2023

Little lady available ♥️🌷

17/05/2023