Cincinnati Reptile Rescue

🐢🐍 CINCINNATI REPTILE RESCUE — INTAKES OPEN 🦎🐸

Cincinnati Reptile Rescue is currently accepting reptile, amphibian, and other exotic animal intakes through October 20, 2026.

If you have an animal you can no longer care for or need help finding a safe placement for, please reach out to us. We provide judgment-free assistance and work to ensure every animal receives appropriate care, quarantine, rehabilitation, and placement.

Potential outcomes may include:
• Rehabilitation and continued care
• Adoption into an appropriate home
• Placement as an educational ambassador when suitable
• Long-term care when adoption is not appropriate

📩 Interested in surrendering an animal?
Send us a message with the species and a brief description of the animal. If we can accept the intake, we’ll provide the next steps and send our Intake & Surrender Form.

Cincinnati Reptile Rescue
Rehabilitation • Rehoming • Education • Ethical Reptile Rescue
Serving Cincinnati & surrounding areas

🌍🐢 Tortoises of the World 🐢🌍

Tortoises are some of the longest-living animals on Earth, with over 50 species found across Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and many islands around the globe. From the massive Aldabra Giant Tortoise to the tiny Speckled Padloper of South Africa, each species has adapted to thrive in its own unique environment.

Unlike turtles, tortoises are built for life on land. Their sturdy, dome-shaped shells protect them from predators, while their thick, elephant-like legs are designed for walking rather than swimming. Most are herbivores, feeding on grasses, weeds, flowers, leaves, fruits, and cactus depending on where they live.

Some incredible tortoise facts:
🐢 The Aldabra Giant Tortoise can weigh over 500 pounds.
🌵 Desert tortoises can survive long periods without drinking by storing water in their bodies.
🎂 Many tortoise species can live 80–150 years or more with proper care.
🌍 Sadly, many wild tortoise populations are threatened by habitat loss, wildfires, road mortality, and the illegal pet trade.

If you're considering a tortoise as a pet, remember that many species grow much larger than expected and require decades of commitment. Research their needs carefully before bringing one home.

Which tortoise species is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! 👇🐢

How fast do leopard geckos actually grow? 🦎

It's one of the most common questions we get from new reptile keepers! To help you track your scaly friend's development, we've put together this visual growth guide.

Leopard geckos grow significantly in their first year, reaching sexual maturity quickly before their growth rate slows down. Here is a breakdown of what to expect from hatchling all the way to adulthood:

📏 Size & Weight: Track the average length and weight for each life stage.
📈 Rapid Growth: Notice that the most rapid growth occurs within the first 12 months.
🐛 Husbandry: Proper diet (insects with calcium!), hydration, and humidity are absolutely crucial for healthy development.
🦎 Gender Differences: Males generally develop larger heads and reach slightly larger sizes than females

🚨 FOUND SULCATA TORTOISE – ST. BERNARD, OHIO 🚨

A Sulcata (African Spurred) Tortoise has been found in St. Bernard, Ohio, and we are trying to locate its rightful owner.

If you believe this is your tortoise, please send us:
• Clear photos of the tortoise.
• A description of any unique markings or identifying features.
• The approximate size and any other details that can help verify ownership.

To protect the animal, we will not be releasing the exact location publicly. Proof of ownership will be required before the tortoise is returned.

Please share this post to help reunite this tortoise with its family.

📩 Contact Cincinnati Reptile Rescue directly if you have any information or believe this is your pet.

Most bearded dragon owners don't realize just how much their pet communicates through eye movements alone, and once you learn to read these subtle signals, your bond with your dragon becomes so much stronger. A slow, deliberate blink is often called the "I love you blink" among reptile keepers, since it signals genuine trust and comfort toward the person handling them. On the other hand, wide open and alert eyes usually mean your dragon feels safe while actively observing its surroundings, which is a great sign of confidence. However, not every eye signal is positive — bulging eyes or a fixed, uneasy stare can indicate stress, fear, or discomfort in their environment, often linked to incorrect basking temperatures or handling issues. Puffy or swollen eyes should never be ignored either, as they can point toward irritation, dehydration, or even early signs of illness that need attention. Interestingly, dragons that look away or avoid eye contact are usually signaling that they want space, much like humans do when feeling overwhelmed. Learning these small cues allows owners to respond appropriately, ensuring their dragon feels secure and understood. In the end, understanding their eyes isn't just fascinating — it's a simple, powerful way to build deeper trust and a healthier relationship with your reptile companion.

The Ultimate Guide to Gut Loading Feeder Bugs

"You are what you eat" applies perfectly to your exotic pets! **Gut loading** is the process of feeding high-quality, nutrient-dense foods to your feeder insects right before giving them to your reptile or amphibian. This turns a basic bug into a powerhouse multivitamin for your pet.

Here is how to do it in 4 simple steps:

# # # Step 1: Select Your Feeders

Choose healthy, active insects from a trusted source. Common choices include:

* **Crickets** (excellent at absorbing nutrients quickly)
* **Dubia Roaches** (hearty and have a great meat-to-shell ratio)
* **Mealworms / Superworms** (easy to keep and readily eat grains and veggies)

# # # Step 2: Prepare Nutritious Food

Skip the empty calories and choose foods rich in **Calcium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C**.

* **Great Greens & Veggies:** Sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, kale, and collard greens.
* **Fruits (in moderation):** Oranges and apples.
* **Dry Supplements:** High-quality commercial gut-load powders or calcium-rich grains like oats and alfalfa.

> ⚠️ **Avoid:** Spinach, broccoli, and cabbage, as they contain high levels of oxalates, which can bind calcium and prevent your pet from absorbing it.

# # # Step 3: Create a Feeding Enclosure

Move the selected insects into a temporary holding container or a dedicated feeding enclosure.

* **Spread the feast:** Place the freshly prepared food inside.
* **Provide safe hydration:** Instead of a water bowl (which insects can easily drown in), use **water gel, a damp paper towel, or slices of moisture-rich veggies** like carrots.
* **The Golden Window:** Allow the insects to feast for **24 to 48 hours**. This ensures their digestive tracts are completely full of nutrients right when you feed them to your pet.

# # # Step 4: Feed to Your Pet!

Your feeder insects are now officially "loaded" and ready. Use feeding tongs to offer them to your reptile, amphibian, or invertebrate.

Repeat this process with every new batch of feeders to ensure a **happy pet and a healthy diet!**

🦎 Is Your Female Bearded Dragon Carrying Eggs?

Female bearded dragons can develop eggs even if they haven't been with a male. Knowing the signs can help you prepare and spot problems early.

🥗 Increased Appetite
Some females eat more early on as their energy needs rise.

🍽️ Reduced Appetite
As laying time approaches, appetite may decrease or become inconsistent.

⚖️ Weight Gain & Round Belly
A fuller abdomen and gradual weight gain can be normal signs of developing eggs.

🏃 Restlessness
More pacing, glass surfing, or frequent movement may mean she's looking for a place to lay.

⛏️ Digging Behavior
Digging is one of the biggest clues. She may search corners or repeatedly dig in the substrate.

🙈 Irritability or Hiding
Behavior can change before laying. Some dragons become more defensive, while others prefer to hide.

📦 Important Tip
Provide a proper lay box with moist, diggable substrate if your dragon may be gravid. A safe place to dig can make the laying process much easier and less stressful.

🚨 Seek Veterinary Care Immediately If You Notice:
⚠️ Straining without laying
😴 Lethargy or weakness
🚫 Refusing food for an extended period
😟 Swelling or obvious distress
🩺 Signs that she may be egg bound

Egg binding is a medical emergency and can become life-threatening if not treated promptly.

💛 Remember:
Beardies are masters at hiding illness. Watch for changes in appetite, behavior, activity, and body shape—and when in doubt, contact a reptile veterinarian.

A proper diet, correct temperatures, adequate calcium, and a suitable lay box can help support a healthy egg-laying process. 🦎🥚
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For too long, reptiles have been misunderstood.
They are intelligent.
They are unique.
They are incredible animals that require proper care and respect.
At Cincinnati Reptile Rescue, our goal is to rescue, rehabilitate, educate, and advocate for reptiles in need.
Every animal deserves proper care.
Every owner deserves education and support.
Every reptile deserves a chance.
This is our mission. This is why we do what we do. 💚

It takes a community to rescue reptiles. 💚
Every tank, heat lamp, UVB bulb, bag of substrate, and supply donation helps us continue providing proper care for reptiles that need a safe place.
Sometimes the smallest contributions make the biggest impact.
Whether it’s equipment, supplies, food, or simply sharing our page — your support helps us continue our mission.
Thank you to everyone standing behind Cincinnati Reptile Rescue. 🐢🐍