Reptiles That Can Be Kept in Small Tanks

Reptiles aren't the most popular pets, but they are becoming more common as pet stores begin carrying these animals for sale and providing access to the supplies needed to care for them. Many reptiles require the use of a terrarium or tank; it can be unsafe or undesirable to have them frolicking around the home like a cat or dog would. Several reptiles are well-suited to small-tank living and will add an interesting element to the corner of a room.

  1. Corn Snakes

    • While having a snake for a pet isn't for everyone, corn snakes actually make pretty good pets. They are very clean animals, they do not cause allergies of any type, and they only require food occasionally.

      Corn snakes can survive well in a 10- to 30-gallon tank, according to ReptileCare.com. The bigger the tank the better, but even a full-grown adult corn snake will not need more than a 30-gallon space without heat lamps. They prefer an environment kept at about 10 to 85 degrees, much like normal room temperature in a home. These snakes should have a shallow pool of water to crawl in and should have a heating pad at one end of the tank so they can adjust their body temperature as needed. Adult corn snakes like to eat mice once every two weeks or so.

    Leopard Gecko

    • Leopard geckos are hunters by nature.

      The leopard gecko is a uniquely colored and marked gecko native to Central Asia. These ground-dwellers are well-established pets that are interesting for several reasons. First, they are the only geckos with eyelids. Second, they are also carnivorous hunters who will not typically eat dead prey given to them in captivity. They prefer insects such as live crickets to be released in their enclosures so they can hunt them as if they were in the wild.

      Leopard geckos are fairly small and can be kept in tanks as small as 2 feet in length, but it is advisable to move them up to a still-manageable 20-gallon tank. Decorate these tanks with rocks, grass and sand to imitate the reptile's natural habitat in India, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    Bearded Dragon

    • The bearded dragon requires special tank equipment to survive.

      The bearded dragon is an Australian native that lives in rocky, arid areas. These dragons have large heads shaped like a triangle and flat bodies. They eat insects and plants and love to climb on things.

      Bearded dragons survive well in captivity as long as they have a little space and proper food and heating. For one dragon, a tank that is 36 inches in length is sufficient. Larger is better if you have the room for it. In addition to the size requirement, a UVB light should be installed to help metabolize vitamin D3. A heat-emitting daylight bulb should also be inside the enclosure to ensure the bearded dragon's internal temperature remains adequate. Heating pads are also common in bearded dragon tanks. Watch for signs of too much heat, such as the dragon panting with its mouth open.