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Choosing Reptile Housing

Choosing reptile housing means doing your homework and knowing the right type of home for your type of reptile. Some small lizards like geckos or skinks may be perfectly happy in a fairly small tank, depending on the species. Other reptiles need much larger habitats; some prefer cages over tanks. Here is some basic information to help you decide on the best habitat for your reptile.

In choosing reptile housing for any aquatic species of reptiles, obviously a tank will be your best option. For many reptiles though, standard glass aquarium tanks are not ideal. Glass loses heat very quickly, making it a poor choice for reptiles that need consistently warm environments. Acrylic tanks are a better choice for reptiles.

When considering the size of your reptile’s habitat, you need to keep in mind how big the animal will be when full grown. A good rule of thumb when choosing reptile housing is to have three feet of floor space for every foot of your full grown reptile. Snakes generally need ¾ square foot per foot of snake. Bigger is always better in the case of reptile housing, so invest in the largest habitat that you can afford and accommodate in your environment. If you have an aquatic species, you will need sufficient water. Likewise, if your reptile is arboreal, you will not only need trees or limbs for your reptile to occupy, you will need the vertical space to support them.

Consider your reptile’s overall environmental needs before choosing reptile housing. Dry conditions are often difficult to maintain in tanks, which normally retain moisture. For this reason, cages are generally better suited when choosing reptile housing for dry environments. Semi-aquatic reptiles will need both wet and dry areas of their enclosures.

You also need to take into consideration temperature requirements when determining how to best contain your reptile. Some reptiles need their entire environments to be within very specific temperature ranges. Others have broader ranges, but may need basking spots that are specific temperatures. Choosing reptile housing that allows not only the space but also the flexibility for a variety of temperatures is important.

When choosing reptile housing, it is best not to mix different species in a single home. One reason for this is that different species have different heat and humidity requirements. A more obvious reason though, is that some animals will not get along and some may even eat one another. Be aware that when choosing reptile housing that some animals of the same species should also never be housed together. Chameleons, for example, are loners and do not like to be housed together.

Choosing reptile housing that is appropriate for your pet is important. Some reptiles thrive in tanks, others in cages. It is important to know the needs, both current and future, of your pet before choosing reptile housing.

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