Reptiles and amphibians, collectively known as Herptiles, have become very popular pets in the United Kingdom.

These fascinating creatures make interesting pets and if kept correctly can provide their owners with years of pleasure.

The Colchester and East Harling branches of Swallow Aquatics have a wide variety of snakes, lizards, frogs, tortoises, turtles, insects and spiders. The majority of species kept at wallow Aquatics are captive bred or farmed. We particularly specialise in Mediterranean tortoises and regularly purchase customers surplus stock, preferring locally bred animals.

Our Colchester and East Harling branches also boast a large selection of reptile accessories including vivariums, heating equipment, lighting equipment, live and frozen foods and vitamin supplements as well as a good selection of quality books.

If exotic pets are cared for correctly they can offer huge rewards. However before purchasing an animal all aspects of its care, feeding, behaviour and eventual size must be studied.

Swallow Aquatics offer advice seven days a week 9am – 6pm and we have provided a selection of care sheets for anyone interested in a particular species - please click on the links below to download the relevant PDF:-

African Spured Tortoise
Amphibians
Bearded Dragon
Feeding and Shell Growth
Gulf Coast Box Turtles
Horsefield Tortoise
King and Milk Snakes
Leopard Gecko
Leopard Tortoise
Mediterranean Tortoises
Pythons and Boas
Rainforest Tortoises
Setting up a Tortoise Pen
Tarantulas
Temperate, Savannah and Desert Snakes
Terrestrial Invertibrates
Tree Dwelling Tarantulas
Uromastyx Lizards
Water Dragon
Yemen Chameleon