Data reference
Reptile keeping, by the numbers
An original data reference on the 66 reptiles we cover — lifespan, adult size, difficulty, setup type and UVB (Ferguson-zone UVI), compiled from our fact-checked care sheets. Every figure traces back to those sheets, so nothing here contradicts our care advice.
Updated July 2026
66species in our dataset
26%are beginner-friendly
25average lifespan (years)
49can live 20+ years
54need strong UVB (UVI 3+)
100longest typical lifespan (years)
What the data says
- The smallest reptile we cover is the Pygmy Chameleon (about 3–4 in (8–9 cm)), and the largest is the Carpet Python (up to 59–98 in (150–250 cm)).
- Longest-lived: Greek Tortoise, Leopard Tortoise, Marginated Tortoise, Hermann's Tortoise — the Greek Tortoise can reach 100 years, so these are decades-long commitments.
- UVB is not optional for most: 54 of 66 need strong UVB (UVI 3+), topping out with the Collared Lizard (UVI 4–6). Even the "low-UVB" species now benefit from some.
- 26% are beginner-friendly — but "beginner" rarely means low-effort: the difficulty is usually the setup (heat, UVB, space), not the animal.
By difficulty
By group
By setup type
The full dataset (66 species)
Click a column heading to sort. Every figure traces to the linked species guide.
| Species ▲ | Group | Difficulty | Adult size | Lifespan (yrs) | UVB (UVI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Green Iguana | Lizards | Advanced | 59–83 in (150–210 cm) | 15–20 | 3–4 |
 Chinese Water Dragon | Lizards | Advanced | 24–35 in (60–90 cm) | 10–15 | 3–4 |
 Green Tree Python | Snakes | Intermediate | 47–59 in (120–150 cm) | 15–20 | 2–3 |
 Eastern Box Turtle | Turtles | Intermediate | 4–8 in (11–20 cm) | 40–60 | 3–4 |
 Caiman Lizard | Lizards | Advanced | 47–59 in (120–150 cm) | 9–15 | 2–3 |
 Rosy Boa | Snakes | Beginner | 24–35 in (60–90 cm) | 25–30 | 2–3 |
 Brazilian Rainbow Boa | Snakes | Beginner–Intermediate | 59–79 in (150–200 cm) | 20–30 | 2–3 |
 Carpet Python | Snakes | Beginner–Intermediate | 59–98 in (150–250 cm) | 20–30 | 2–3 |
 Children's Python | Snakes | Beginner | 24–47 in (60–120 cm) | 20–30 | 2–3 |
 Rat Snake | Snakes | Beginner | 43–71 in (110–180 cm) | 15–20 | 2–3 |
 Blood Python | Snakes | Intermediate | 47–71 in (120–180 cm) | 20–25 | 1–2 |
 Bull Snake | Snakes | Beginner–Intermediate | 47–71 in (120–180 cm) | 15–20 | 2–3 |
 Rubber Boa | Snakes | Beginner | 15–33 in (38–84 cm) | 20–30 | 1–2 |
 Tokay Gecko | Geckos | Intermediate | 10–14 in (25–35 cm) | 10–20 | 1–2 |
 Giant Day Gecko | Geckos | Intermediate | 9–11 in (23–28 cm) | 15–20 | 3–4 |
 Leachianus Gecko | Geckos | Intermediate | 9–17 in (23–43 cm) | 20–30 | 2–3 |
 Chahoua Gecko | Geckos | Beginner–Intermediate | 10–12 in (25–31 cm) | 15–20 | 1–2 |
 Chinese Cave Gecko | Geckos | Intermediate | 6–8 in (15–20 cm) | 10–15 | 1–2 |
 Greek Tortoise | Tortoises | Intermediate | 5–12 in (13–30 cm) | 50–100 | 3–4 |
 Red-Footed Tortoise | Tortoises | Intermediate | 12–16 in (30–41 cm) | 50–80 | 2–3 |
 Leopard Tortoise | Tortoises | Intermediate | 10–18 in (25–45 cm) | 50–100 | 3–5 |
 Marginated Tortoise | Tortoises | Intermediate | 10–14 in (25–35 cm) | 50–100 | 3–4 |
 Indian Star Tortoise | Tortoises | Advanced | 6–12 in (15–30 cm) | 30–50 | 3–4 |
 Rankin's Dragon | Lizards | Beginner–Intermediate | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | 8–15 | 3–4.5 |
 Common Chuckwalla | Lizards | Intermediate | 15–20 in (38–51 cm) | 25–30 | 3–5 |
 Collared Lizard | Lizards | Intermediate | 8–14 in (20–36 cm) | 10–15 | 4–6 |
 Fire Skink | Lizards | Beginner–Intermediate | 12–15 in (30–38 cm) | 15–20 | 3–4 |
 Schneider's Skink | Lizards | Beginner–Intermediate | 12–18 in (30–46 cm) | 15–20 | 3–4 |
 Sandfish Skink | Lizards | Intermediate | 6–8 in (15–20 cm) | 6–10 | 1–2 |
 Frilled Dragon | Lizards | Intermediate | 24–35 in (60–90 cm) | 10–15 | 3–5 |
 Pygmy Chameleon | Lizards | Intermediate | 3–4 in (8–9 cm) | 3–5 | 1–2 |
 Bearded Dragon | Lizards | Beginner | 16–24 in (40–60 cm) | 8–15 | 4–4.5 |
 Leopard Gecko | Geckos | Beginner | 7–10 in (18–25 cm) | 10–20 | 0.5–1.5 |
 Ball Python | Snakes | Beginner | 35–59 in (90–150 cm) | 20–30 | 2–3 |
 Crested Gecko | Geckos | Beginner | 7–8 in (18–20 cm) | 15–20 | 1–2 |
 Corn Snake | Snakes | Beginner | 35–59 in (90–150 cm) | 15–20 | 2–3 |
 Gargoyle Gecko | Geckos | Beginner | 7–9 in (18–23 cm) | 15–20 | 1–2 |
 Western Hognose | Snakes | Beginner | 15–36 in (38–91 cm) | 15–20 | 2–3 |
 Blue Tongue Skink | Lizards | Beginner | 18–24 in (46–61 cm) | 15–30 | 3–4 |
 California Kingsnake | Snakes | Beginner | 30–48 in (76–122 cm) | 20–25 | 2–3 |
 Milk Snake | Snakes | Beginner | 24–59 in (60–150 cm) | 20–25 | 2–3 |
 African Fat-Tailed Gecko | Geckos | Beginner | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) | 15–20 | 1–2 |
 Russian Tortoise | Tortoises | Beginner–Intermediate | 5–10 in (13–25 cm) | 40–60 | 3–4 |
 Veiled Chameleon | Lizards | Intermediate | 10–24 in (25–61 cm) | 6–8 | 3 |
 Ackie Monitor | Lizards | Intermediate | 17–30 in (44–76 cm) | 15–20 | 3–4 |
 Uromastyx | Lizards | Beginner–Intermediate | 9–30 in (23–76 cm) | 25–60 | 4.5–6 |
 Argentine Tegu | Lizards | Intermediate | 35–59 in (90–150 cm) | 15–20 | 3–4 |
 Savannah Monitor | Lizards | Advanced | 35–47 in (90–120 cm) | 10–15 | 3–4 |
 Sulcata Tortoise | Tortoises | Advanced | 24–30 in (61–76 cm) | 50–70 | 4–6 |
 Hermann's Tortoise | Tortoises | Beginner–Intermediate | 6–11 in (15–28 cm) | 50–90 | 3–4 |
 Panther Chameleon | Lizards | Intermediate | 16–20 in (40–51 cm) | 3–6 | 3 |
 Jackson's Chameleon | Lizards | Intermediate | 9–13 in (23–33 cm) | 5–9 | 3–4 |
 Mourning Gecko | Geckos | Beginner | 4–4 in (9–10 cm) | 5–10 | 1–3 |
 Kenyan Sand Boa | Snakes | Beginner | 12–24 in (30–60 cm) | 15–30 | 2–3 |
 Boa Constrictor | Snakes | Intermediate | 60–96 in (152–244 cm) | 20–30 | 2–3 |
 Red-Eyed Crocodile Skink | Lizards | Intermediate | 6–8 in (16–20 cm) | 8–10 | 1–2 |
 Painted Turtle | Turtles | Intermediate | 5–10 in (12–25 cm) | 25–40 | 3–4 |
 Common Musk Turtle | Turtles | Beginner–Intermediate | 3–5 in (8–13 cm) | 30–50 | 3–4 |
 Yellow-Bellied Slider | Turtles | Intermediate | 5–13 in (13–33 cm) | 30–40 | 3–4 |
 African Sideneck Turtle | Turtles | Beginner–Intermediate | 10–11 in (25–28 cm) | 25–50 | 3–4 |
 Northern Map Turtle | Turtles | Intermediate | 4–11 in (10–27 cm) | 15–20 | 3–4 |
 Reeves' Turtle | Turtles | Beginner–Intermediate | 5–6 in (13–15 cm) | 15–25 | 3–4 |
 Eastern Mud Turtle | Turtles | Beginner–Intermediate | 3–5 in (8–12 cm) | 20–50 | 3–4 |
 Red-Eared Slider | Turtles | Intermediate | 8–12 in (20–31 cm) | 20–40 | 3–4 |
 Green Anole | Lizards | Beginner–Intermediate | 6–8 in (15–20 cm) | 5–10 | 3–4 |
 Garter Snake | Snakes | Beginner–Intermediate | 18–51 in (45–130 cm) | 10–15 | 2–3 |
Methodology & sources
This dataset covers the 66 reptile species with a fact-checked care sheet on Baskden (our sourced gate). Lifespan, adult size and the UVB (Ferguson-zone UVI) targets are the figures stated in those care sheets — verified against ReptiFiles, the Arcadia/Baines UV-Tool, ARAV and the Merck Veterinary Manual. Ranges describe typical adults, not extreme records.
Cite this study
This is original data, free to cite and share with a link back. Suggested citation:
Baskden (2026). Reptile Keeping by the Numbers. baskden.com. Retrieved from https://baskden.com/reptiles-by-the-numbers/
⬇ Download the dataset (CSV) — 66 species, ready to chart or re-use.