FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Evolution Reptiles
Have a question about reptile care, setups, or our Kidlington shop? Explore our frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please contact our expert team
Visiting the Shop & Animal Sales
Do you courier or ship live reptiles?
No, Evolution Reptiles does not courier or ship live reptiles or amphibians. We believe in the highest standards of animal welfare, which means we have never sold reptiles or amphibians online.
Visiting our physical shop in Kidlington allows you to see your chosen animal thriving in a beautifully decorated vivarium. Plus, you get to speak directly with our passionate, knowledgeable team to ensure you have everything you need for a happy, healthy pet.
Do I need to book an appointment to visit your reptile store?
No, you do not need an appointment to visit our shop during regular opening hours. You can walk right in to browse our livestock, purchase livefood, or pick up dry goods. However, if you are planning to purchase an animal, we recommend arriving at least one hour before closing so our team has plenty of time to review your setup and guide you through the adoption process.
What do I need to bring with me to buy a reptile?
To buy a reptile from us, you must bring proof of a suitable, fully running habitat setup. We prioritize animal welfare above all else. Before we can release an animal into your care, our team will need to see photos or videos of your vivarium. Including accurate temperature and UVB lighting readings, to ensure it meets the specific needs of the species.
Parking & Transport
Is there parking available at Evolution Reptiles?
Yes, there is free parking available directly outside the shop at the Fairfax Centre. You do not need to worry about parking meters or time limits. Because our parking spaces are just steps from our front door, it is incredibly easy and convenient to load heavy vivariums, large bags of substrate, or bulk orders of livefood straight into your car.
Can I travel to the shop by bus from Oxford?
Yes, we are easily accessible by bus, with a direct stop located just a short walk from our storefront. The Stagecoach 2 and 2A routes run regularly between Oxford City Centre and Kidlington. Simply get off at the Fairfax Road stop, and you will find us located just around the corner inside the Fairfax Centre shopping complex.
What is the nearest train station to Evolution Reptiles?
The nearest train station to us is Oxford Parkway, which is less than a 5-minute drive or a short bus ride away. Oxford Parkway operates direct Chiltern Railways services from London Marylebone and Oxford. From the station, you can jump straight on a connecting bus heading into Kidlington or take a quick taxi ride directly to our shop.
Can I walk to the shop from Oxford Parkway station?
If you prefer to stretch your legs, the walk from Oxford Parkway station to our shop takes around 25 to 30 minutes along a straightforward, flat footpath directly into Kidlington.
Is your shop wheelchair and pushchair accessible?
Yes, our storefront features step-free, ground-floor access with wide doors that easily accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs. The shop layout is spacious and fully air-conditioned, allowing all of our visitors to move around comfortably while browsing our animals and supplies.
Livefood & Subscriptions
What is a livefood subscription and how does it work?
A livefood subscription is an automated, recurring order of fresh feeder insects delivered directly to your door at regular intervals. It is the easiest way to ensure your reptile never runs out of fresh food.
You can customize your subscription to ship on a weekly, fortnightly, 3-weekly, or monthly basis. To get started, simply visit our livefood subscription page, select the type and size of insects your pet needs, and choose your preferred frequency from the dropdown menu on the product page.
Is it safe to set up a recurring payment on your website?
Yes, our online checkout is completely secure and we never store your credit or debit card data. All automated subscription payments are securely processed through Stripe (certified to PCI Service Provider Level 1, the most stringent security level in the industry) or PayPal.
How do I change, pause, or cancel my livefood subscription?
You can cancel your subscription at any time by logging into your customer account on our website. Once logged in, simply navigate to the “My Subscriptions” tab to end your recurring order. If you would like to make an amendment to your subscription—such as changing your insect quantities, swapping sizes, or altering your delivery frequency—just email us at info@evolutionreptiles.co.uk and our team will update it for you.
Heating & Lighting
Do you sell complete heating and lighting setups for specific reptiles?
Yes, we provide fully customized, species-specific heating and lighting kits tailored to the exact pet you own. Reptiles rely entirely on their environment to regulate body temperature and synthesize essential vitamins. Our team can help you select the precise combination of basking bulbs, ceramic heat emitters, thermostats, and high-output T5 UVB lighting required to keep your animal safe and healthy.
How do I know if my vivarium temperatures and UVB levels are correct?
The only accurate way to monitor your habitat environment is by using digital thermometers, a hygrometer, and a dedicated UVB solar meter. Analogue dial gauges can be highly unreliable. We recommend setting up your enclosure at least 48 hours before bringing a new reptile home so you can check that the thermal gradient (the hot spot and the cool end) is stable and safe.
Delivery & Returns
How long does delivery take for online orders?
Standard dry goods and livefood orders are typically processed and dispatched within 1 to 2 working days. We use reliable courier networks to ensure your live food arrives fresh and your hardware arrives safely. You will receive an automated tracking link via email as soon as your parcel leaves our Kidlington warehouse.
What is your return policy for items bought online or in-store?
We offer a standard 14-day return window for unused, unopened dry goods in their original packaging. Please note that due to strict biosecurity and freshness standards, we cannot accept returns on livefeeder insects, frozen foods, open supplements, or custom-built wooden vivariums unless they are found to be faulty. If you need to arrange a return, please contact our team at info@evolutionreptiles.co.uk with your order number.
Welfare & Licensing
What license does Evolution Reptiles hold?
Evolution Reptiles proudly operates under a top-tier 5-Star Animal Activities Licence issued by Cherwell District Council (Our number is PET0012). This maximum rating reflects our absolute dedication to pristine husbandry, expansive enclosures, clean facilities, and impeccable record-keeping. Our livestock is bred responsibly in-store or sourced from trusted, ethical breeders.
Feeding
Do you stock frozen snake food alongside your live insects?
Yes, we maintain a fully stocked freezer with ethically sourced frozen mice, rats, chicks, and multimammate mice in various sizes, and we are always here to help guide you on the safest ways to feed them. To protect your reptile’s health and prevent harmful bacteria growth, we recommend defrosting frozen food thoroughly in a fridge overnight. Thawing it slowly this way is the safest method for your pet, and to keep things perfectly fresh, food should never be refrozen once it has thawed out. If you are ever unsure about the best prey size or feeding schedule for your pet, please just ask our friendly team!
How often should I feed my reptile livefood?
Feeding schedules depend entirely on the specific species, age, and nutritional needs of your reptile. As a general rule, rapidly growing baby lizards require daily feedings of appropriately sized, gut-loaded insects dusted with calcium powder. Older, mature reptiles generally transition to fewer live food feedings balanced out by a steady diet of fresh leafy greens or specialized pellets. See our care guides for species specific information.
Reptile Health & Services
Can you recommend a specialist reptile vet near Oxfordshire?
Yes, we maintain a curated list of trusted, exotic-certified reptile vets in the region. Reptiles require specialist veterinary care that standard cat-and-dog clinics cannot always provide. For a full list of recommended practices, locations, and contact details, please visit our dedicated [Reptile Vets Directory Page].
Do you offer reptile holiday boarding services?
Yes, we offer professional, in-store reptile boarding to look after your pets while you are away. Our experienced team will provide species-specific heating, lighting, fresh livefood, and daily monitoring in a safe environment. Because spaces are limited—especially during school holidays—we highly recommend booking your slot well in advance via our [Reptile Boarding Booking Page].
Can you help clip my lizard’s claws or nails?
Yes, we provide an in-store reptile grooming and claw clipping service. Overgrown claws can make it difficult for lizards like bearded dragons to grip or walk comfortably. Bring your reptile into our Kidlington storefront, and our trained staff will safely trim their nails for a small service fee.
🔞 Age Restrictions
How old do I need to be to buy an animal or livefood from your shop?
You must be at least 18 years old to purchase any live animal, vertebrate food, or specialized heating equipment from our store. In strict compliance with UK animal welfare legislation, we cannot sell livestock to minors. If you appear under the age of 21, our team will politely ask you to show a valid photo ID (such as a driving licence or passport) at the counter.
Can children browse the shop without an adult?
No, all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times while inside the store. Our shop contains highly specialized, fragile glass displays and sensitive exotic animals that can easily become stressed by sudden movements or loud noises. We love welcoming young hobbyists, provided they are supervised closely by a guardian.
Reservations
Can I reserve a specific reptile online or over the phone?
Yes, you can place a holding deposit to reserve a specific reptile, provided you have already passed our mandatory habitat setup check. Animals cannot be held indefinitely without a deposit. Once our team has verified photos of your fully operational, correctly heated vivarium, you can place a deposit to secure your animal for a mutually agreed in-store pickup window.
Can I place a deposit on a custom vivarium setup?
Yes, we accept deposits and upfront payments to secure custom-built wooden vivariums and high-end hardware bundles. If you are planning a large bioactive project or a custom multi-stack enclosure, get in touch with our team to map out the specifications. Once a deposit is placed, we will secure the components and set aside your build timeline.
Gift Vouchers
Do you sell gift vouchers for Evolution Reptiles?
Yes, we offer physical gift vouchers in-store and digital gift cards online that make perfect presents for exotic pet keepers. Our vouchers can be redeemed against anything in our inventory, including live food subscriptions, premium lighting hardware, decorations, or towards their next reptile setup.
How long are your gift vouchers valid for?
All Evolution Reptiles gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of initial purchase. The expiration date will be clearly printed on the physical voucher or included in your digital confirmation email. Vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash or used after their expiration date has passed.
Rehoming & Community
Do you accept pets for rehoming?
Yes, we occasionally accept reptiles for rehoming, but this is strictly dependent on whether we have the available space and resources. The welfare of the animals in our care is our absolute priority, and we will never take in a pet if it risks overcrowding or compromises our high care standards.
If you have a reptile that you can no longer look after, you must get in touch with us first via phone or email before bringing the animal to the shop. Please provide details about the species, age, and health of the reptile so our team can assess if we have the capacity to help.
Do you offer work experience or placements at the shop?
Yes, we proudly offer work experience placements to college students who are currently studying animal-related courses. Because we operate under a strict 5-Star Animal Activities Licence and maintain a highly specialized environment, these placements are reserved for students who need practical hours as part of a formal qualification in animal care, management, or zoology.
Spaces are strictly limited throughout the academic year. If you are a college student looking to gain hands-on experience with exotic species, please email us with details of your course, your college, and the dates you require.