Backwater ReptilesReviews of backwaterreptiles.com

I ordered two red eyed tree frogs and a white's tree frog along with two axolotl and axolotl food pellets. All the animal's came in perfect condition which I was very happy about but, they were missing the food pellets.

I ordered a 3-ft Green iguana and it took a little while to get here because it was a holiday weekend. When it arrived it was a little freaked out because of the journey and when I opened the bag that it was in it shot out lightning fast went up the wall across the shelves and hid underneath my workbench... Knowing reptiles as I do I cranked up the AC in my shop and the next morning it was not moving so fast so I was able to catch it and put it in a cage no problems. After I put it in an outdoor cage and gave it food and water it was a happy camper! My cats came up checking it out. It inflated its body stuck out its do lap and rattled the cage violently, the cats jumped back about 2 ft and they have not messed with him since! All in all I am pleased with the purchase.

All my pets came in great condition! Very happy.

I recently purchased a male RETF. I was that person that did not read the reviews first before ordering. After payment I received two emails as proof of purchase I did pay the extra for the over night shipping. After reading the reviews I was in shock! I was so afraid I was going to receive either a dead or sick little boy. The next evening I received the email with the ups tracking number and arrival time. He was actually delivered early so that was a plus. As I opened the box I saw a white cup with a lid and that was it i opened it to find my little guy inside with a small piece of sponge for water I assume. As I put him in my hand I could feel how cold he was. The poor thing was so cold that he curled up in a ball in my warm hand. So I frantically did everything I could to slowly warm him up as not to put him into shock. But once this little guy warmed up he was a lively beautiful and very vocal. Although he is not happy about quarantine because I have 5 others and my setup is large enough for me to house him in a container inside the set up. It helped him get the heat and humidity that he needed. So in all I can say that it wasn’t a terrible experience but I do with they would have put the warm packed in there as it is winter here in MD.

Ordering an adult CB animal, Backwater had available stock that almost no one else happens to have at the moment. The snake arrived healthy and in good condition, and their staff were very responsive with regards to shipping questions and attentive to temperatures with regards to shipping dates.

This was my first time using Backwater Reptiles as well as my first time ordering reptiles "online". I had searched and their seemingly organized website drew me in like a candy store. I was a little disappointed the snakes I was trying to order were not available as the website claimed they were. However when I contacted the Backwater team Britney was very helpful in responding with a list of what snakes were available, and then even worked with me to make sure we got our snakes before the weekend even with the extra cold weather we were experiencing. Yes I had to pick them up directly from the FedEx center. Both of my California Kingsnakes arrived live packed well in plastic containers with air holes and a small heating pad. I was very pleased with the snakes they sent ( I purchased them sight unseen, without pictures. ) Both appear to be in good health and acclimated quickly to their new habitats. Based on this positive experience we would consider doing business with the team again should they get the other Kingsnakes we desire in stock.

I decided to order through Backwater as they are inexpensive and had a reptile I have always wanted, a Sunbeam snake. After ordering, I decided to read the reviews...and I was terrified. Many reviews state their reptiles/spiders coming malnourished, sick, or dead/eventually dying shortly after. So, of course, I was anxious. The only complication I had was the shipping/billing address being “flagged by their fraud team”, so I had to send proof of residence. Whatever, customer service (I believe meg) was super nice and helpful informing me about my reptile. She arrived today, as I write this review, and she is BEAUTIFUL. The packaging, in my opinion, is as good as it can get for the price of my reptile ($50). It consisted of no heat pad, no “live animal” label, and my snake was in a mesh bag with a piece of newspaper. Newspaper and styrofoam insulation was also present, but still, not a reliable source of heat through travel. I should also mention their “live arrival” guarantee. I’m pretty sure their team members have read the reviews, so I got an email the day of arrival saying that: Live Arrival is voided if temperatures drop below 40 degrees over night. Therefore, if you live somewhere that temperatures drop, then the reptile could arrive deceased and you would not get refunded. I live in CT. So this would have been nice to know before, just in case my snake did arrive dead. I inspected her for little mites/parasites, as these animals are wild caught, but she seems healthy with shiny scales, and is very much alive and well. She burrowed herself in her new habitat, and even drank from the bowl, so I figure she is adapting well. Though too soon to tell, it seems that I lucked out with backwater. I truly believe that that circumstances are based on the animal, since they are all so different. Being my first time ordering from them, I am satisfied with the arrival and condition of my Sunbeam snake. So, I hope you read the reviews before ordering. If you’re like me, however, and read them after, you may just be lucky as well!

I've ordered from Backwater four times (amphibians and arthropods). The shipments all arrived on-time with healthy animals. The packaging was fine and they were labeled 'Live Animals'. I did contact them when my first order was cancelled due to running out of the specimen, but they offered to apply the payment to another critter or hold it until they restocked. I ordered a similar animal. I would have given them five stars, except they took an order for an animal that wasn't in stock.