FAQ: Enclosures for reptiles

African fat-tailed geckos live on the ground, so they need a low, wide terrarium similar to a leopard gecko’s. Several hides, at least one of them humid, and a slightly damper substrate are important.

Uromastyx need a roomy, low, dry terrarium with deep substrate for digging burrows and stable rocks for basking. Adults are often recommended a terrarium at least 120 cm long.

Kingsnakes are active and good at finding gaps, so they need a roomy, securely locked terrarium, often at least 90–120 cm long for an adult. Several hides and a substrate they can burrow in are important.

Box turtles need a roomy, humid enclosure with deep soil and leaf substrate, hides and a shallow water pool they can easily climb into. In warm weather a secure outdoor pen suits them well.

Anoles are small, quick, climbing lizards, so they suit a tall terrarium with plenty of plants and branches and a moisture-holding substrate. Doors and vents must fit tightly so they cannot escape.

Russian tortoises are active and love to dig, so they need a roomy, dry enclosure with deeper substrate and hides. Indoors an open tortoise table works, and in warm weather a secure outdoor pen with a buried fence.

Monitors grow large and are very active, so most species need a very roomy, often custom-built enclosure with deep substrate for digging. Before getting a monitor, consider how large it will grow and whether such an enclosure will fit in your home.

Tokay geckos are large climbers, so they need a tall, sturdy terrarium with cork bark, branches and plants. They can bite and move fast, so terrariums with front doors that open only partly are practical.

A rack system is a shelving unit with pull-out plastic tubs and heat tape, often used by breeders keeping many snakes. It saves space and keeps temperatures stable, but offers less room and enrichment than a terrarium.

Thinner glass is usually enough for small terrariums, while large ones, especially turtle tanks full of water, need much thicker glass because of the water pressure. In a factory-made terrarium the glass thickness is chosen by the manufacturer; if building your own, ask a glazier.

For a first reptile, a factory-made terrarium with front doors, a mesh lid and vent grilles, sized for the adult animal, is the most convenient. Beginners are often advised to start with species with simpler needs, such as leopard geckos or corn snakes.

A dish or tile for food keeps it clean and lowers the risk of swallowing substrate, while a bowl for insects stops them from hiding away. For herbivorous reptiles a dish also makes uneaten leftovers easier to remove.

Insects are best offered in a smooth-sided bowl they cannot climb out of, or with tongs. Crickets left loose can nibble a sleeping reptile, so uneaten insects are worth collecting in the evening.

Crested geckos mostly stay in the upper part of the terrarium, so a hanging ledge with food cups is handy. It puts food where the gecko is active and keeps it clean of substrate.

There must be enough distance between the highest point the reptile can reach and the lamps, so it cannot touch them or overheat. When planning decorations, consider the lamp type and the safe distance the manufacturer gives.

It can be, as long as an adult makes sure the terrarium is locked, cables are tidy and children wash their hands after touching the animal. Young children should handle reptiles only under adult supervision.

No, zoogidas.lt sells nothing; it is a price comparison site showing prices from Lithuanian online pet shops. Once you choose a terrarium or another product, you buy it directly on the shop’s website.

Zookainos.lt collects prices from Lithuanian online pet shops, and substrate and other products can be compared by price per kilogram or litre. This makes it easier to see which pack is really cheaper.

Prices are collected about daily, and each product shows when its price was last checked. Always confirm the final price and availability on the shop’s website.

Yes, product pages show price history, so you can see how the price of a terrarium or other equipment has changed. This helps judge whether the current price is typical.