FAQ: Enclosures for reptiles

It depends on the species and the adult animal’s size. Tree-dwellers need tall terrariums, ground-dwellers wide ones, and aquatic turtles need an aquaterrarium with both water and land.

Usually yes: besides the terrarium you need heating and lighting, a thermometer, substrate, hides and a water bowl. The exact set depends on the species, so it is worth making a list of everything needed before buying.

An adult bearded dragon is usually recommended a terrarium at least 120 cm long, 60 cm deep and 60 cm high, and bigger is better still. Length matters so there is room for both a hot basking zone and a cool side.

One adult leopard gecko is often recommended a low, wide terrarium at least 90 cm long and 45 cm deep. They live on the ground, so floor area matters more than height, though a taller terrarium allows climbing rocks.

Crested geckos climb trees, so they need a tall terrarium, for an adult usually at least 45 × 45 × 60 cm or larger. The height is best filled with branches and plants so the gecko has places to climb and hide.

An adult corn snake is usually recommended a terrarium at least 120 cm long, as it is active and likes to explore. A common rule for snakes is that the terrarium’s length plus depth should be no less than the snake’s body length.

An adult ball python is usually recommended a terrarium at least 120 cm long and 60 cm deep with plenty of hides. Although they are fairly calm, a roomier terrarium makes a proper temperature gradient and more movement possible.

Chameleons need a tall, well-ventilated enclosure, for an adult veiled or panther chameleon often at least 60 × 60 × 120 cm. Height matters more than floor area, as they live in branches and like to be up high.

Tortoises walk a lot, so they need as much floor area as possible, often at least 120 × 60 cm for a small adult and considerably more for larger species. Height matters less, which is why open enclosures are often used indoors.

Red-eared sliders grow large, so an adult often needs a tank of several hundred litres. A common guide is about 10 litres of water per centimetre of shell, plus room for a basking platform.

Adult green iguanas can grow to well over a metre including the tail, so they need a very large, often custom-built or room-section enclosure. Before getting an iguana, consider whether such a large enclosure will fit in your home.

Blue-tongued skinks live on the ground and grow fairly large, so an adult is often recommended a terrarium with at least 120 × 60 cm of floor space. They like to burrow, so an area of deeper substrate is useful.

Hognose snakes are small, so an adult usually does well in a terrarium about 90 cm long, with larger females needing a bit more room. Deep substrate matters for them, as they like to burrow.

Boas grow large and heavy, so an adult often needs a sturdy terrarium 180 cm or longer. It must be stable, with secure doors, and roomy enough for the snake to stretch out.

Day geckos climb and are active, so they need a tall terrarium with plenty of vertical surfaces and plants. A pair is often recommended at least 45 × 45 × 60 cm, with larger species needing more space.

Chinese water dragons grow fairly large, climb and swim, so an adult needs a tall, roomy enclosure with a large water pool. An enclosure at least 120 cm long and 150 cm or more high is often recommended.

Some keepers house juveniles in smaller terrariums so they find food more easily and feel safer, but for many species an adult-sized terrarium works too if it has plenty of hides. What matters most is that food is easy to reach and the temperature gradient is kept.

It is often more practical and cheaper in the long run, as many reptiles reach adult size within the first year or two. A large terrarium for a juvenile should be generously filled with hides and decorations so it feels safe.

Signs a terrarium is too small include the reptile being unable to stretch out fully, no room for a clear warm and cool zone, and the animal constantly trying to escape or rubbing its nose on the glass. In that case it is worth moving to a larger terrarium.

A terrarium itself is rarely too big, but in an empty space a reptile may feel unsafe and find food less easily. Fill a large terrarium with hides, plants and branches, and choose heating strong enough for the whole volume.