How Large of a Terrarium Does a Lizard Need?

To care for a pet lizard, you must provide a habitat large enough for it to engage in all its natural activities, including feeding, elimination, thermoregulation, hiding and drinking. At a minimum, most lizards require a cage two to three times their length; a 1-foot-long lizard will require a 2- to 3-foot-long terrarium. As large lizards will require large, more expensive caging, it's helpful to choose smaller species for pets. It's important to consider your pet's natural history as well; arboreal lizards require tall cages, whereas terrestrial species thrive in shorter accommodations.

  1. Leopard Geckos and Similar Species

    • Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are popular pets, in part because of their small size. Leopard geckos can be maintained in 10-gallon aquariums, or similarly sized enclosures, but 20-gallon "long" aquariums offer more spacious accommodations and are a better choice. Leopard geckos are terrestrial lizards, so cage height is not a big concern. Though they will require more height, arboreal geckos such as tokay geckos (Gekko gecko) and day geckos (Phelsuma sp.) will be comfortable in 20-gallon "tall" aquariums. If multiple lizards are kept in the same enclosure, the cage size must be increased accordingly.

    Chameleons

    • Chameleons should not be maintained in aquariums, and are most often kept in screen cages. As chameleons are arboreal, their cages need to be relatively tall; this also allows the keeper to fit a small planted tree in the habitat. At a minimum, small species like the Jackson's chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii) should be provided habitats that are at least 24 inches long by 24 inches wide and 36 inches tall. Larger species, like panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis), will require cages that are at least another 12 inches taller.

    Monitor Lizards

    • Though monitor lizards vary greatly in size, most species commonly kept as pets are highly active lizards. Small species, such as spiny-tailed monitors (Varanus acanthurus), can thrive in a cage 4 feet long by 2 feet deep -- approximately the size of a 100- to 120-gallon enclosure. Larger monitors will require cages that approach the size of a small room. Water monitors (Varanus salvator), for example, may reach 7 feet in length, necessitating a cage at least 14 feet long by 7 feet deep. Typically, large cages like this are constructed as walk-in units, allowing the keeper access to the entire habitat. In addition to floor space, some monitors are arboreal and will require at least 2 to 3 feet of cage height.

    Bearded Dragons, Dab Lizards and Others

    • Bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) and similarly sized lizards like dab lizards (Uromastyx sp.) and chuckwallas (Sauromalus sp.) are often active and require large cages. Cages should be at least 4 feet long and provide the lizards with enough room to exercise. Bearded dragons eat a lot of food and produce a large amount of waste. If the cage is too small, no amount of cleaning will prevent the lizard from occasionally walking through its feces, which can cause health problems. If aquariums are used for these types of lizards, they should be at least 50 gallons in size -- and preferably twice that size. Cage height is not as important as cage footprint with these lizards, so 1 foot of height is adequate.