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 a health guarantee or refund policy if the animal doesn’t make it to you healthy.
To make it 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 well-being of the animals it sells and provides resources and support to 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, corn snake, rat snake, 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 2024, this company has been in business for 28 years, operating out of Southern California.
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 carrier delays the package.
They also have a price matching program, where they will not only match but beat a competitor’s price by 5%. However, their arrival guarantee is limited 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
Have 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 several reptile species. They offer free shipping on orders over $35, and since they are a large chain, they have stores in many areas. They carry all the supplies you need to set up a home for your reptile, and they have excellent care information on their site. They offer a 30-day health guarantee on companion animals, including reptiles.
They provide full and partial refunds on sick or deceased reptiles, depending on the circumstances. Unfortunately, Petco does not sell reptiles directly from the website. They must be purchased in-store, but you can check the 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
Carries all supplies needed for reptile care
More than 1,500 stores in the US, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
Hognose snake, ball python, corn snake, 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 have a 7-day health guarantee on captive-bred animals and a 3-day health guarantee on wild-caught animals.
Snakes at Sunset has been in business for 15 years, and most of the reptiles they carry are bred in-house. They carry supplies and food to keep your reptile healthy, and they have informational resources for clients. However, these premium reptiles come at a premium price, 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
Sells all supplies needed for reptile care
Provides resources to clients for the life of their pets
Reptile Rapture is a family-owned business that carries multiple reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates species. They also run a reptile rescue organization that places surrendered reptiles into pet homes. Reptile Rapture carries reptiles and supplies at fair prices. They have personally tested and used most of the products they carry, so they can confirm the quality and efficacy.
They have a set shipping policy on live animals: overnight shipping only. They offer a live arrival guarantee with store credit in case of DOA. Reptile Rapture 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 also carries 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 need to care for your reptile, including a wealth of information and experience.
Josh’s Frogs 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 plenty 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
Carries 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 have a set shipping fee for overnight shipping on live animals. They carry rare and unique animals and color morphs, so some of their reptiles sell for a premium price. Big Apple Herp has 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, provide service to customers across the world, including zoos and museums. They have mastered 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, corn snake, 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 have a 3-day health guarantee on captive-bred animals, which is shorter than what most companies offer. They sell all the supplies you need to care for your reptile. The website also contains a care blog, which provides excellent information on caring for 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, and some of their animals sell for a premium price. They breed reptiles and purchase them from other small businesses.
They have 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. XYZ Reptiles has 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
Carries 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, corn snake, 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 over $20,000, depending on the 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 wild-caught species of animals.
They also sell books on reptile care and the supplies needed to care for your reptile. They offer flat-rate overnight shipping on all live animal orders and a live arrival guarantee. Underground Reptiles 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: How to Choose the Best Online Reptile Stores
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 have the same species and color morphs, so knowing what 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 is choosing a company that ethically sources their animals and guarantees their health. Determining if the 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 harm conservation efforts. Educating yourself before supporting a seller will help ensure you do your part to support conservation.
Our Best Online Reptiles Stores Selection Process
The best online reptile stores we reviewed in this article were chosen by PangoVet’s writers and editors, in collaboration with our experienced veterinary team, based on personal experience with the product, knowledge and expertise about the pet’s care needs, brand reputation, and reviews across multiple retail outlets from other customers that have purchased and used the product. The combination of these factors allows us to gather a wide range of information to help you choose only the best online reptile stores and ensure you have the most accurate information about these products to promote proper care, health, and well-being of your beloved pets.
Why Trust PangoVet?
PangoVet’s licensed and experienced veterinarians have a knowledge base that extends to all kinds of pets—furry, scaly, and feathered—and want only the best for pets of all shapes and sizes. We also have experienced writers and editors who are pet owners with a variety of different pets, and we love our pets as much as you do. We recognize pets as part of our family. We make sure to only choose products from reputable brands highly rated by customers as well as products that we have personal experience with, to ensure that every online reptile store featured in this review is high-quality and safe for your pets.
Conclusion
All of the businesses in these reviews are solid picks for purchasing reptiles. Some may have better selection or customer support than others. 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 available in every corner of the country. If you have a higher budget or are looking for a premium reptile, 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.
