Sales & Care Policies

Last updated: 2025 December 15

Thank you for your interest in Holotypica. I am a small scale breeder focused on captive bred dart frogs, emerald tree skinks, and a small number of other carefully selected species. My priorities are healthy animals, ethical practices, and evidence based husbandry. Please review the following policies before purchasing.

1. General

  • All animals offered for sale are captive-bred, never wild-caught.
  • Dart frog pairings are kept as single locales or morphs only. I do not intentionally mix morphs or locales.
  • Emerald tree skinks and other reptiles are bred in stable, thought out groups, with attention to welfare and compatibility.
  • Buyers must be 18 years or older. I’m happy to talk with younger hobbyists, but a parent or guardian must complete the purchase.

2. Local Pickup Only (for now)

  • At this time, I do not ship. All sales are local pickup by appointment.
  • Pickups are scheduled in advance at an agreed-upon time and location. For the safety of the animals, I may postpone pickup in cases of extreme weather or other conditions that put the animals at risk.
  • Please bring an insulated container or cooler if possible. Amphibians and small reptiles are sensitive to temperature swings, and I want them to arrive at your home safely.

3. Animal Age, Size, and Sexing

  • Most dart frogs are sold as well-started juveniles (3-6 months out of water) unless otherwise noted.
  • Tadpoles are sold between Gosner stage 25 (free-feeding tadpole) and stage 39 (prior to forelimb development) unless otherwise agreed upon.
  • Reptiles are sold as juveniles, subadults, or adults as indicated in each listing.
  • Any stated sex (“male,” “female,” “probable male,” “probable female”) is based on my best assessment at the time. Sex is not guaranteed unless explicitly listed as a “proven” animal.

4. Health and Guarantee

  • I only sell animals that appear healthy, alert, and feeding well.
  • For local pickup, I guarantee that animals will be alive and in apparent good health at the time of pickup. Please inspect them while you are present; I’m happy to answer questions.
  • Once the animal leaves my care, I cannot control factors such as transport conditions, enclosure setup, temperature, or stress. For that reason, I cannot offer extended health guarantees beyond the point of pickup. Please do ample research prior to purchasing. I am happy to answer any husbandry or habitat questions as you prepare for your animal.
  • If you notice any concerns within the first 24 hours, please contact me immediately with photos and details. While I cannot promise refunds or replacements, I will do my best to troubleshoot husbandry and help you problem-solve.

5. Husbandry and Buyer Relations

My focus is on ethical, evidence based keeping. Before purchasing, you should have:

  • A fully established enclosure that is appropriate for the species.
    • For dart frogs, that typically means a planted, bioactive style vivarium with appropriate humidity and hiding spaces.
    • For emerald tree skinks and other reptiles, that means an enclosure with adequate vertical space, basking and thermal gradients, UVB where appropriate, and secure climbing structures.
  • A plan for ongoing feeders that match the species.
  • A way to maintain temperature, humidity, and lighting within the recommended ranges.

I reserve the right to decline a sale if I have serious concerns about the planned setup or welfare of the animal. This is not personal. My first responsibility is to the animals.

I am happy to provide pre purchase and post purchase husbandry guidance. If you are new to a species, please ask questions.

When possible, I can also provide live feeders (fruit flies, springtails), clean-up crews (isopods), and vivarium supplies such as substrate, leaf litter, and plant cuttings. I sometimes have fully cycled, bioactive enclosures available as well. If you would like to leave with a complete setup and starter cultures, please ask in advance so I can confirm what is on hand.

6. Holds, Deposits, and Payment

  • Holds for local pickup:
    • I can hold animals for a short period once we agree on a pickup date.
    • For animals held longer than 14 days, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the purchase price may be required.
  • Deposits:
    • Deposits reserve specific animals for you and are non-refundable if you cancel or fail to show.
    • If I need to cancel a sale on my end (e.g., if an animal becomes unwell before pickup), any deposit you’ve paid will be refunded or transferred to another animal, at your choice.
  • Payment methods:
    • I currently accept: cash, Venmo, and Paypal.
    • Full payment is due at or before pickup, unless we explicitly agree otherwise in writing.

7. Returns and Rehoming

  • No returns on live animals except in rare, pre-arranged circumstances. Please be sure you are ready for the commitment before purchasing.
  • If at any point you can no longer keep an animal:
    • I do not guarantee buy-backs, but you are welcome to contact me about possible rehoming options.
    • I would much rather help you find a responsible new home than see an animal neglected or released.

8. Future Shipping Policy (not currently offered)

  • I plan to offer overnight shipping in the future when I am fully comfortable with packing procedures and seasonal risks.
  • When shipping begins, the following principles will apply:
    • Animals will be shipped overnight to your nearest hub or approved address, weather permitting.
    • I will only ship when temperatures and conditions are safe for the animals.
  • A separate Live Arrival Policy will apply to shipped orders, outlining:
    • Required pickup time windows
    • Documentation needed (unboxing photos/video)
    • How any DOA claims are handled
  • Full details will be posted and updated before I ship any animals.

9. Legal Responsibility

  • It is the buyer’s responsibility to know and follow all local, state, and federal regulations that apply to frogs, reptiles, and other animals in their area
  • By purchasing from Holotypica, you affirm that:
    • You are legally allowed to own the species you are buying in your location.
    • You understand the care requirements and are prepared to meet them.

9. Contact

  • If you have any questions about these policies or about animal care, please reach out before you purchase. I’m happy to help you decide whether a particular species or setup is a good fit.