Reptiles Victoria

03/06/2026

❄️ Winter Reminder for Reptile Keepers 🦎

Hi Bendigo,
Now that winter has officially arrived and temperatures have dropped, it's a good time to review your reptile husbandry and enclosure setup.
This is especially important for top end species and reptiles that are less tolerant of cooler conditions.

Winter is a common time for reptiles to develop respiratory infections, which can be difficult and costly to treat if not addressed early.

A few things to check:

✅ Invest in a temperature gun:

This allows you to accurately measure temperatures throughout the enclosure, including the basking area, warm end, and cool end. A stable thermal gradient is essential for your reptile's health.

✅ Check your heating equipment and adjust thermostats accordingly:

Ensure heat globes and other heating devices are functioning correctly and producing adequate temperatures for the cooler months. As ambient temperatures drop, some enclosures may require thermostat settings to be increased to maintain appropriate basking and enclosure temperatures.

✅ Consider room temperature:

The ambient temperature of the room can have a significant impact on enclosure temperatures, particularly overnight. You may need to move the enclosure to a warmer part of the house or provide additional overnight heating.

✅ Monitor your reptile closely:

Signs of respiratory illness can include facial swelling, discharge from the mouth or nostrils, reduced tongue flicking, wheezing, clicking, or a crackling sound when breathing.

⚠️ If you notice any of these signs, seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. Early intervention can make a significant difference to the outcome.

A few simple checks now can help prevent problems later and keep your reptiles healthy throughout winter.

Stay warm and keep those reptiles warm too! 🐍🦎❄️

02/06/2026

30/05/2026

Packed with some special deliveries for one of our carers out West with a very generous donation from petbarn Camberwell.

First stop: releasing some very lucky turtles to their new home in the Eastern Suburbs. Thank you so much to Beech and his boys in adopting these special little guys into your home, to one of the 2 nicest ponds I’ve ever seen.

27/05/2026

19/05/2026

This old man has been a great pit stop for our research teams during the day, and a heart-restart in the night time.

"oi Dazza, it's a bloody giant drop bear!"

If you're on your way between Adelaide to Melbourne, you know the Giant Koala. It's the greatest tourist attraction and you won't miss it as it's literally on the highway.

But did you know at night this thing as glowing red eyes. It's stoned koala during the day and giant drop bear at night.

Imagine driving half-asleep, servo coffee in the cup holder, then a massive concrete koala appears in the dark looking like it wants your soul and a packet of eucalyptus.

07/05/2026

I have literally stopped my car to catch fan belt snakes and banana peel lizards. Also, chrome trim, radiator hoses, ropes, bungee cords, weather stripping, exhaust pipe brackets, sticks, cow pies, pieces of tires, cracks in the pavement, and lots of other unusual species that aren’t supposed to be indigenous to this area. 🙂

09/04/2026

🐢 RAINY WITH A CHANCE OF TURTLES 🐢

With the recent wet weather, turtles are on the move! This is the time of year when they leave waterways to travel across land in search of nesting sites or new habitats, and unfortunately, that often means crossing roads.

Please slow down and stay alert, especially near wetlands, creeks, and rural roads. If it’s safe to do so, avoid hitting turtles and give them the space to continue on their journey.

If you come across an injured turtle, please contact Wildlife Victoria immediately on (03) 8400 7300 for advice and assistance.

Every turtle matters, a moment of awareness can save a life. 💚

03/04/2026

If you have recently lost a Central Bearded Dragon in the Ballam Park area of Frankston area please contact me as I have had one handed in.