Fancy Publications, later BowTie Inc., introduced the magazine in October 1993.[1] After a year of publishing bimonthly, Reptiles went monthly in December 1994 due to surging traction of the magazine.
In February 2013, BowTie's magazine titles, including Reptiles, was purchased by I-5 Publishing, LLC.[2] Other magazines previously published by BowTie that are now being issued by I-5 include Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy and Horse Illustrated.
In December 2013, the website of Reptiles was launched.[3] On August 14, 2014 Reptiles Magazine website joined to celebrate the World Lizard Day.
In 2017, Reptiles magazine was sold again. The current owner is Living World Media.[4]
Tips and information on keeping and breeding distinct herps typically make up the bulk of an issue's feature articles, but other topics covered by the magazine include field herping, reptile and amphibian health, conservation, and current trends in the hobby. The magazine occasionally holds contests sponsored by reptile product manufacturers.
Reptiles articles are drafted for a broad range of reptile enthusiasts, from the novice hobbyist to the veteran herpetoculturist. Respected reptile experts and breeders in the industry have written for the magazine.[5]
Usually a reptile or amphibian species is featured on the cover, though Slash (February 1995) and Mark O'Shea (February 2003) were both cover subjects due to interviews they provided. A two-part interview with Steve Irwin appeared in the October and November 1999 issues.
^Past authors include Bob Applegate, Brian Barczyk, Dave and Tracy Barker, R.D. (Dick) Bartlett, Bob Clark, Tom Crutchfield, Linda Davison, Philippe de Vosjoli, Dante Fenolio, Jerry and Richard Fife, Ken Foose, Russ Gurley, Bert Langerwerf, Jeff Lemm, Bill and Kathy Love (Bill Love's column, "Herpetocultural Queries," has been in the magazine since the first issue), Kimberly Kay Lucas, Dr. Douglas Mader (this reptile veterinarian has been writing the magazine's vet column since the first issue), Bob Mailloux, Kevin McCurley, Sean McKeown, Gerold Merker, John Murphy, Patrick Nabors, Terry Phillip, Louis Porras, Peter Pritchard, Philip A. Purser, Allen Repashy, Don Soderberg, Robert Sprackland, Jeremy Stone, Ron Tremper, Ernie Wagner, Rico Walder, Trooper Walsh and Romulus Whitaker
