Buying a new reptile can be an intimidating experience. Not only do you want to choose a species that is well-suited to your household, but you also want to make sure you choose a vendor that will sell you a healthy animal with some form of health guarantee or refund policy if the animal doesn’t make it to you healthy. To help make things easier for you, we’ve found some of the best online shops that sell reptiles. We understand the desire to know that you are spending your money with a company that cares about the wellbeing of the animals it sells and that will provide resources and support to help you keep your new pet healthy and happy.
$3.99 on supply orders over $75, $39.95 plus $5.95 packing fee on animal orders
Price Range:
$ – $$$$
Species Carried:
Ball python, green tree python, reticulated python, rosy boa, green anaconda, cornsnake, ratsnake, chameleon, kingsnake, milksnake, bullsnake, bearded dragon, tegu, uromastyx, skink, gecko, Sulcata tortoise, Eastern box turtle
The best overall online reptile store is the LLL Reptile and Supply Company, which carries dozens of species of reptiles, as well as amphibians and invertebrates. They carry the supplies you need to meet the needs of your reptiles and they maintain up-to-date care sheets on their website. As of 2021, this company has been in business for 25 years, operating out of Southern California the whole time. They purchase animals from other small businesses, and they offer a live arrival guarantee with an additional 3-day guarantee after arrival. Their live arrival guarantee applies even if the package is delayed by the carrier.
They also offer a price matching program where they will not only match but beat a competitor’s price by 5%. There are some limitations on their arrival guarantee when it comes to imported animals and amphibians, so make sure to read their policy before purchasing anything.
Pros
Carries dozens of reptile species
Carries amphibians and inverts
Has all supplies needed for reptile care
Keeps up-to-date care sheets
Has been in business for 25 years
Supports small businesses
Live arrival guarantee plus additional guarantee for 3 days after receipt
Price matching
Cons
Limitations on the health and live arrival guarantee
Bearded dragon, ball python, gecko, corn snake, red ear slider, chameleon, water dragon, skink, Russian tortoise, Kenyan sand boa, king snake, uromastyx
The best online reptile store for the money is Petco, which carries a wide variety of reptile species. They offer free shipping on orders over $35 and there are physical stores in many areas since they are a large chain. They carry all the supplies you need to set up a home for your reptile and they have great care information on their site. They offer a 30-day health guarantee on companion animals, including reptiles.
Depending on the circumstances, they can offer full and partial refunds on sick or deceased reptiles. Unfortunately, Petco do not sell their reptiles directly from the website for shipping. They must be purchased in-store, although you can check stock and get information on the reptile you’re interested in on the website.
Pros
Carries multiple reptile species
Carries amphibians, inverts, birds, small mammals, and aquatics
Has all supplies needed for reptile care
More than 1,500 stores in the US, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
Hognose snake, ball python, cornsnake, milksnake, green tree python, kingsnake, scorpion mud turtle, Asian snake neck turtle, peninsula cooter, red ear slider, bearded dragon, uromastyx, gecko, skink, tegu, anole, Hermann’s tortoise, yellow foot tortoise, Russian tortoise, aldabra tortoise
If you’re looking for a premium reptile, Snakes at Sunset may have just what you’re looking for. They carry dozens of species and keep many rare and unique color morphs in stock. They also sell amphibians if you decide to go in that direction. They offer a 7-day health guarantee on captive-bred animals and a 3-day health guarantee on wild-caught animals.
Most of the reptiles they sell are bred in-house and this company has been in business for 15 years. They carry supplies and food to keep your reptile healthy, and they offer informational resources and assistance to clients as long as you have your reptile. These premium reptiles do come at a premium price, though, with some selling for upwards of $10,000.
Pros
Carries dozens of reptile species
Specializes in rare and unique color morphs
Carries amphibians
Health guarantees on captive-bred and wild-caught animals
Most animals are bred in house
Has been in business for 15 years
Has all supplies needed for reptile care
Provide resources to clients for the life of their pets
Reptile Rapture is a family-owned business that carries multiple species of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. They also run a reptile rescue organization that places surrendered reptiles into pet homes. This company carries reptiles at fair prices, as well as supplies. They have personally tested and used most of the products they carry, so they can speak to the quality and efficacy.
They have a set shipping policy on live animals of overnight shipping only and they offer live arrival guarantee with store credit in case of DOA. This company doesn’t carry rare animals except when they are surrendered to their reptile rescue.
Pros
Carries multiple reptile species
Carries amphibians and inverts
Runs a reptile rescue
Budget-friendly pricing
Has all supplies needed for reptile care
They have tested and used most of the products they carry
Live arrival guarantee with store credit refunds available
Free on dry goods over $100, $39.99 overnight on live animals
Price Range:
$ – $$$
Species Carried:
Gecko, pygmy mulga monitor, shield tailed agama, anole, green keel-bellied lizard, skink, desert night lizard, yellow ackie monitor
As the name implies, Josh’s Frogs specializes in amphibians, but they also carry a small selection of reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. They have an overnight shipping policy on live animals with a live arrival guarantee, and they ship same-day when possible. They carry everything you could possibly need to care for your reptile, including a wealth of information and experience.
This business was founded in 2004 and only focuses on captive-bred animals, ensuring that wild animals stay where they belong. Their website is full service and contains tons of information and products, but it can be busy and overwhelming to navigate sometimes.
Pros
Carries amphibians, fish, and invertebrates
Overnight shipping policy on live animals
Live arrival guarantee
Orders ship same day when possible
Has all supplies needed for reptile care
Offers information and experience to help you care for your reptile
Monitor, tegu, Asian vine snake, rat snake, African green bush snake, sunbeam snake, egg eater snake, garter snake, hognose snake, water dragon, skink, gecko, uromastyx, anole, iguana, Sulcata tortoise, hingeback tortoise, red ear slider, Eastern painted turtle, bearded dragon, ball python
Big Apple Herp carries dozens of species of reptiles, as well as amphibians and invertebrates. They offer a set shipping fee for overnight shipping on live animals. They carry some rare and unique animals and color morphs, so some of their reptiles sell for a premium price. This company offers a texting option for fast customer service. They will even work with customers to beat competitors’ prices on their supplies and animals.
They were founded in 1993 and to this day they provide service to customers across the world, including zoos and museums. They have worked to master the knowledge of how to care for the reptiles they sell so they can function as a resource to customers.
Pros
Carries dozens of reptile species
Carries amphibians and inverts
Offer rare and unique animals and color morphs
Texting option and price matching
Provide service to personal and business accounts
Knowledgeable of how to care for the reptiles they sell
Hognose, cornsnake, kingsnake, rat snake, milksnake, chameleon, ball python, Kenyan sand boa, Guyana red tail boa, Saharan sand boa, uromastyx, skink, iguana, tegu, monitor, gecko, softshell turtle, red foot tortoise, red ear slider, peninsula cooter, Chinese box turtle
Imperial Reptiles sells dozens of species of reptiles, as well as amphibians. Their prices range from low to premium, depending on the species and color morph. They offer flat rate shipping within the US with same-day shipping when possible and a live arrival guarantee.
They also offer a 3-day health guarantee on captive-bred animals. This health guarantee is shorter than what most companies are currently offering on captive-bred animals. They sell all the supplies you need to care for your reptile. The website also contains a care blog, providing great information on the care of the animals they sell.
Pros
Carries dozens of reptile species
Carries amphibians
Flat rate shipping with same-day shipping
Live arrival guarantee and 3-day health guarantee
Has all supplies needed for reptile care
Care blog on the website
Cons
Premium prices
Health guarantee is less comprehensive than most companies
Ball python, Russian tortoise, Indian star tortoise, caiman lizard, skink, red ear slider, gecko, kingsnake, Kenyan sand boa, sulcata tortoise, hognose, boa constrictor, frilled lizard, chameleon, savannah monitor, bearded dragon
XYZ Reptiles carries dozens of reptile species and specializes only in reptiles. They carry all supplies needed to care for your reptile, and they offer flat rate overnight shipping with same-day shipping when possible. They carry some specialty and unique animals and color morphs, so some of their animals sell for a premium price. They breed reptiles and purchase them from other small businesses.
They offer a live arrival guarantee and a health guarantee. Their website has a “daily reptile news” section that provides care and industry information. They cannot ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico, and currently only ship within the US. Currently, they offer a payment plan through PayPal to help people afford more expensive animals. They do not allow returns or refunds on frozen food or sale items.
Pros
Carries dozens of reptile species
Has all supplies needed for reptile care
Carries unique and rare animals and color morphs
Breed animals in house and purchase from other small businesses
Live arrival and health guarantees
Daily reptile news section on the website
Payment plans are available
Cons
Premium prices
Cannot ship outside the continental US
No returns or refunds on frozen food or sale items
Iguana, Kenyan sand boa, gecko, rat snake, cornsnake, Greek tortoise, tegu, pit viper, bearded dragon, skink, ball python, chameleon, softshell turtle, uromastyx, musk turtle, emerald tree boa, bush viper
Underground Reptiles carries dozens of reptile species, including rare venomous snakes and reptile color morphs. Some of their animals sell for upwards of $20,000 depending on species and color morph. They also sell amphibians, invertebrates, and exotic mammals. If you’re interested in their mammals, it’s a good idea to see which animals are captive-bred and which are wild-caught. There are some ethical concerns with some wild-caught species of animals.
They also sell books on reptile care and all supplies needed to care for your reptile. They offer flat rate overnight shipping on all live animal orders and a live arrival guarantee. This company has been in business for over 30 years, so they are knowledgeable about the care of their animals.
Pros
Carries dozens of reptile species
Carries unique and rare animals and color morphs
Carries amphibians, inverts, and exotic mammals
Sells books on reptile care
Has all supplies needed for reptile care
Live arrival guarantee
Over 30 years of animal care
Cons
Premium prices
Ethical concerns with wild catch of certain animal species
Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the Right Online Reptile Seller
Choosing the best seller to meet your needs comes down to two major factors: selection and ethical sourcing.
Image Credit: reptiles4all, Shutterstock
Selection
The first is that they carry the animal you are interested in purchasing. Not all sellers carry the same species and color morphs, so knowing what it is you’re interested in ahead of time will help you select a seller. Most businesses are happy to provide information and education to guide potential customers in choosing the best pet for their home and lifestyle.
Ethical Sourcing
The other key factor in choosing the right online reptile seller for you is choosing a seller that ethically sources their animals and guarantees their health. Determining if animals have been ethically sourced involves understanding the differences between legal and ethical animal collection, as well as the potential environmental impacts of wild-caught animals. Many animals can be collected without negatively impacting the ecosystem, but in some cases, the pet trade can be harmful to conservation efforts. Educating yourself prior to supporting a seller will help ensure you’re doing your part to support conservation.
Conclusion
All of the businesses in these reviews are solid picks for purchasing reptiles. Some may have better selection or customer support than others, though. The best overall pick is LLL Reptile and Supply Company, which has a large selection of reptiles for great prices. For tight budgets or basic reptile needs, Petco is a great option that is available in every corner of the country. If you’ve got a higher budget or are looking for a premium reptile, then Snakes at Sunset is the top pick.
Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types.
