Determining Minimum Sizes for Reptile Enclosures
When researching requirements for various reptile species, enclosure size recommendations will vary greatly. Housing size guidelines can actually be determined scientifically using simple formulas that work for any species of reptile. These formulas accommodate for enough room to properly thermoregulate and exercise in their environment.
Bigger is ALWAYS better - The myth of too big
Often times it is cited that large enclosures will scare a small reptile, but this is not the case at all. Enclosures with improper hiding places cause fear in any reptile kept in captivity. In nature, their range is not restricted to a small box. If your pet is fearful of their enclosure consider adding hides of different sizes around the environment.
Terrestrial Reptiles
Terrestrial reptiles, or reptiles that mainly live on the ground, need an enclosure with a large footprint compared to their size. Vertical height is much less important to these species.
Terrestrial Lizards:
Width- at least the adult length of the animal, Length- twice the adult length of the animal, Height- half of the adult length of the animal.
How much room does a bearded dragon need?
24"W x 48"L x 12"H minimum per animal
How much room does a blue tongue skink need?
18"W x 36"L x 9"H minimum per animal
How much room does a tegu need?
48"W x 96"L x 24" H minimum per animal
Tortoises and Box Turtles:
Width-at least one and one half the length of the carapace, Length- three times the length of the carapace, Height-at least twice the height of the animal
How much room does a box turtle need?
12"W x 24"L minimum per animal
Terrestrial Snakes:
Width-at least one-quarter of the snake's adult length, Length-at least one of the snake's adult length, Height-at least one-quarter of the snake's adult length
How much room does a ball python need?
15"W x 60" L x 15" H minimum per animal
How much room does a california kingsnake need?
18"W x 72"L x 18" H minimum per animal
Terrestrial Lizards:
Width- at least the adult length of the animal, Length- twice the adult length of the animal, Height- half of the adult length of the animal.
How much room does a bearded dragon need?
24"W x 48"L x 12"H minimum per animal
How much room does a blue tongue skink need?
18"W x 36"L x 9"H minimum per animal
How much room does a tegu need?
48"W x 96"L x 24" H minimum per animal
Tortoises and Box Turtles:
Width-at least one and one half the length of the carapace, Length- three times the length of the carapace, Height-at least twice the height of the animal
How much room does a box turtle need?
12"W x 24"L minimum per animal
Terrestrial Snakes:
Width-at least one-quarter of the snake's adult length, Length-at least one of the snake's adult length, Height-at least one-quarter of the snake's adult length
How much room does a ball python need?
15"W x 60" L x 15" H minimum per animal
How much room does a california kingsnake need?
18"W x 72"L x 18" H minimum per animal
Arboreal Reptiles (Including Semi-Arboreal Snakes)
Arboreal reptiles live in trees. Vertical height is important for their exercise, sense of security and basking behaviors.
Arboreal Lizards: (Including Day Gecko, Green Iguana, Tokay Gecko, Veiled Chameleon, Water Dragon):
Minimum requirements for each animal in enclosure:
Width- at least half of the adult length of the animal or snout to vent length (whichever is greater),
Length- 1.25 the adult length of the animal or twice the snout to vent length (whichever is greater),
Height- at least the adult length of the animal with a minimum of the top of the enclosure being at least 4 feet off the ground and 2 feet tall
Day Gecko: 6"W x 15"L x 24" H
Green Iguana: 36" W x 90"L x 72" H
Tokay Gecko: 8"W x 18"L x 24" H
Veiled Chameleon: 12"W x 30" L x 24" H
Water Dragon: 18"W x 45"L x 36"H
Snakes (Including Emerald Tree Boa, Red Tailed Boa, Carpet Python, Green Tree Python):
Minimum requirements for each animal in enclosure:
Width and Length-at least one-quarter of the snake's adult length, Height-Length of the snake with a 6-8 foot maximum (if maximum is reached, use one-half of the snake's adult length for the length of the enclosure)
Red Tailed Boa: 30"W x 60"L x 72"H
Emerald Tree Boa: 18"W x 18"L x 72"H
Arboreal Lizards: (Including Day Gecko, Green Iguana, Tokay Gecko, Veiled Chameleon, Water Dragon):
Minimum requirements for each animal in enclosure:
Width- at least half of the adult length of the animal or snout to vent length (whichever is greater),
Length- 1.25 the adult length of the animal or twice the snout to vent length (whichever is greater),
Height- at least the adult length of the animal with a minimum of the top of the enclosure being at least 4 feet off the ground and 2 feet tall
Day Gecko: 6"W x 15"L x 24" H
Green Iguana: 36" W x 90"L x 72" H
Tokay Gecko: 8"W x 18"L x 24" H
Veiled Chameleon: 12"W x 30" L x 24" H
Water Dragon: 18"W x 45"L x 36"H
Snakes (Including Emerald Tree Boa, Red Tailed Boa, Carpet Python, Green Tree Python):
Minimum requirements for each animal in enclosure:
Width and Length-at least one-quarter of the snake's adult length, Height-Length of the snake with a 6-8 foot maximum (if maximum is reached, use one-half of the snake's adult length for the length of the enclosure)
Red Tailed Boa: 30"W x 60"L x 72"H
Emerald Tree Boa: 18"W x 18"L x 72"H
Fossorial Reptiles
Animals that create burrows and live underground are fossorial. They need enough room in their enclosure to dig or have a low hide far away from the top in order to feel secure.
Lizards (Including Leopard Gecko, Savannah Monitor, Uromastyx):
Minimum requirements for each animal in enclosure:
Width- at least the adult length of the animal
Length- at least twice the adult length of the animal
Height- at least the adult length of the animal
Leopard Gecko: 12"W x 24" L x 12"H
Savannah Monitor: 42"W x 84"L x 42"H
Uromastyx: 18"W x 36"L x 18"H
Lizards (Including Leopard Gecko, Savannah Monitor, Uromastyx):
Minimum requirements for each animal in enclosure:
Width- at least the adult length of the animal
Length- at least twice the adult length of the animal
Height- at least the adult length of the animal
Leopard Gecko: 12"W x 24" L x 12"H
Savannah Monitor: 42"W x 84"L x 42"H
Uromastyx: 18"W x 36"L x 18"H
The Science Behind the Recomendations
At a very minimum, reptiles need to be able to turn around in their enclosures. This is where the guidelines for the width of the enclosure originate. They are based on the recommendations of several welfare groups, including the Australia Code of Private Keeping of Reptiles. These guidelines for width are slightly lower than the guidelines explained here as they are a legal minimum, not the humane minimum.
When creating length requirements for non-arboreal species, the ability to thermoregulate comes into play. Because the tail plays an important part in thermoregulation, the total length of the reptile must be considered, and not simply the snout to vent length. Reptiles should be able to easily fit entirely on the cool or hot side of the enclosure, so the enclosure must be at least twice the length for lizards. For arboreal species, which can use the height of the enclosure to help thermoregulate, they simply need to be able to comfortably stretch horizontally. For lizards they should be able to completely horizontally stretch.
Height requirements are not very important for terrestrial reptiles, but added height can add enrichment to some species. Fossorial reptiles simply need enough height to dig or have a low burrow to feel as if they are underground.
The height requirements for arboreal reptiles are very important as climbing is their main exercise and many species use it to thermoregulate. Ideally, all reptiles should be able to fully stretch in the vertical direction, but this is not always possible for larger snake species. This should be compensated for in a longer enclosure. For smaller arboreal species it is necessary to keep their enclosures elevated to allow for them to feel as if they are in their natural habitat and safe from predators.
When creating length requirements for non-arboreal species, the ability to thermoregulate comes into play. Because the tail plays an important part in thermoregulation, the total length of the reptile must be considered, and not simply the snout to vent length. Reptiles should be able to easily fit entirely on the cool or hot side of the enclosure, so the enclosure must be at least twice the length for lizards. For arboreal species, which can use the height of the enclosure to help thermoregulate, they simply need to be able to comfortably stretch horizontally. For lizards they should be able to completely horizontally stretch.
Height requirements are not very important for terrestrial reptiles, but added height can add enrichment to some species. Fossorial reptiles simply need enough height to dig or have a low burrow to feel as if they are underground.
The height requirements for arboreal reptiles are very important as climbing is their main exercise and many species use it to thermoregulate. Ideally, all reptiles should be able to fully stretch in the vertical direction, but this is not always possible for larger snake species. This should be compensated for in a longer enclosure. For smaller arboreal species it is necessary to keep their enclosures elevated to allow for them to feel as if they are in their natural habitat and safe from predators.
Sources |
American Zoos and Aquariums species care guidelines on various snake species
Australia Code of Private Keeping of Reptiles Anapsid guides on enclosure size |