Scales and Tails

18/05/2026

A bit of a different post, but behind the scenes—while working full time and caring for 15+ animals—I’ve been quietly working towards my Herpetology diploma.

Yesterday I officially finished it, and today I got my results back… a Distinction 🥳🥹

For me, it’s never been “just a snake” or “just a gecko.” It’s so much more than that—it’s my passion, my purpose, and everything I work so hard for. I’m incredibly proud of this moment.

11/05/2026

Meet Sheriff Rhubarb… Barb to friends 🐸🤠

Horned frog—better known as the “Pacman frog”—gets its nickname from that enormous mouth, straight out of the classic Pac-Man. And trust me… Barb knows how to use it.

These chunky little hunters are ambush predators, meaning they don’t chase dinner—they become the surprise. They sit perfectly still, wait for the perfect moment… then snap! Lunch is served.

With an appetite bigger than their body language suggests, they’ll try to eat almost anything that fits in that mouth… including other frogs 🫣

And those jaws? No joke. Adult horned frogs have a powerful bite, plus tiny teeth along their upper jaw—enough to make a human say “okay, fair enough.”

Their weirdest party trick? To swallow a meal, they actually push their eyeballs down into their skull to help force food down their throat. Nature really went off script with this one.

And of course, those signature little “horns” above the eyes? That’s how this tiny outlaw earned the name Sheriff Rhubarb 🤠🐸

10/05/2026

Meet Soba, the Eastern Chain Kingsnake!

Named for the striking chain-like patterns draped across their glossy dark brown or jet-black scales, Soba is as stylish as they are fearless. But this snake didn’t earn the title “king” just for looks—kingsnakes are famous for hunting and eating other snakes… even venomous ones. Thanks to a remarkable natural resistance to venom, they can take on local heavyweights like Copperhead, Cottonmouth, and Rattlesnake.

When danger strikes, Soba puts on an impressive bluff—vibrating their tail to mimic a rattlesnake, despite being completely non-venomous. And when it comes to dinner? Almost nothing is off the menu: lizards, birds, turtle eggs, rodents… and, of course, the occasional snake.

09/05/2026

Meet Omelette the Hognose 🐍✨

With that adorable upturned snout that looks like a tiny pig nose, hognose snakes are perfectly built for digging through loose soil and sand in search of one of their favorite snacks—toads.

But don’t let the cute face fool you… hognoses are absolute drama queens of the snake world. When they feel threatened, they put on an Oscar-worthy performance—flattening their necks like a cobra, puffing themselves up, and hissing loudly to look extra intimidating.

And if that doesn’t work? Time for Act Two… playing dead. They’ll dramatically roll onto their backs, let their tongues hang out, and even release a foul smell for added realism. Commitment to the role: 10/10.

Hognose snakes are technically rear-fang venomous, but there’s no need to worry—their venom is designed for subduing toads, not humans, making them harmless to us. In fact, they’re so reluctant to bite that they’d usually rather bluff, boop you with a closed-mouth strike, or give you a tiny headbutt instead.

Basically… part snake, part shovel, part theater kid. 🐍🎭

19/04/2026

Absolutely live for a viv reset day 😍🐸🤌🏻

18/02/2026

🫶🏻❤️

COMMUNITY SHOWCASE – WEDNESDAY SPOTLIGHT 🐍🔥

Another week, another quality keeper in the M.A.D Exotics Community Showcase 👊

This week we’re featuring Crystal on Instagram and she can also be found at _scalesandtailsreptile on TikTok 🖤
Go check them out, drop a follow on both platforms, and show some support — exactly what this community is about.

Remember, every Wednesday we spotlight one of you — whether it’s a feeding clip, enclosure build, breeding project, or just an animal you’re proud of.

Want to be featured next?
Send us your clips or photos via DM 📩

Massive thank you to the community for backing M.A.D Exotics.

Huge thanks to our sponsors .reptile.keeper and .snakesnadders, plus our affiliate .lighting for supporting what we do 👊🖤

22/07/2025

Lilith the mourning gecko made me a grandma this morning 😍🥺🥳 already super excited to hatch this little baby who (I won’t lie) will be staying with us ❤️

04/07/2025

We visited Grinning Gecko in Blackpool yesterday as we were in the area and we are in awe! Everything from the species they keep and the care they receive to the products and knowledge available were second to none. If you’re heading that way, pay them a visit it’s 110% worth it. Picked up some bits we needed (including a mantis we definitely needed). Thank you again guys, we will be back 🦎🐍🐸🐢

22/05/2025

Like seeing our creepy pets? 😉 drop us a follow on Tiktok, new video featuring me dying out and Rhubarbs new house (minus the 2 minute p*e he did)

16/05/2025