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Reptile Supplies Checklist: What Every Enclosure Needs, by Species

The supplies every reptile enclosure needs, and a species table of adult size, enclosure, basking heat, UVB zone and diet, each from a named vet or zoo source.

By Reptile Supplies editorial teamUpdated 4 min read28 sources

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A corn snake resting among plants and branches in a planted terrarium
A corn snake resting among plants and branches in a planted terrarium

Every reptile enclosure needs the same eight things: the right size of enclosure, a heat source on a thermostat, UVB sized to the species, thermometers and a hygrometer, at least two hides, a safe substrate, a heavy water bowl, and the right food and supplements. The numbers differ by species, so start with the table below.

The eight things every enclosure needs

  1. An enclosure sized for the adult. Sizes range from 10 gallons for one leopard gecko (VCA) to about 4 by 2 by 2 feet for a bearded dragon (RSPCA).
  2. Heat, with a warm end and a cool end. VCA places heat sources outside the enclosure above one end, and the RSPCA says a thermostat must be used with all heat sources. See heat lamps and thermostats.
  3. UVB lighting matched to the species’ zone, with no glass or plastic between lamp and animal. See reptile UVB lighting.
  4. Thermometers and a hygrometer. VCA puts a thermometer at each end of the enclosure.
  5. Hides, at least one on the warm side and one on the cool side.
  6. A safe substrate. VCA warns that sand, gravel, corncob and walnut shells can cause impaction if eaten.
  7. A heavy water bowl that will not tip.
  8. Food and supplements for the species’ diet: see what bearded dragons eat and turtle and tortoise food.

Front-opening glass terrariums

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Species at a glance

Every figure below names its source. Where sources disagree, the species guide gives each one.

Species Adult size Adult enclosure Warm or basking side UVB zone (UV-Tool) Diet
Bearded dragon 18 to 22 in (VCA) 60 to 100 gal (VCA); 120 x 60 x 60 cm (RSPCA) 90 to 100°F (VCA) 3 to 4 Insects and plants (VCA)
Leopard gecko 5 to 10 in (VCA) 10 gal (VCA); 60 x 40 x 30 cm (RSPCA) 28 to 30°C, 82 to 86°F (RSPCA) 1 Insects (VCA)
Ball python 3 to 5 ft (VCA) 48 x 24 x 24 in (PHS) 88 to 92°F (PHS) 2 Frozen-thawed rodents (PHS)
Corn snake 4 to 6 ft (VCA) 36 x 18 x 18 in minimum (PHS) 85 to 90°F (PHS) 1 to 2 Mice (VCA)
Western hognose 15 to 25 in (CNAH) 20 to 40 gal (Tree of Life) 88 to 92°F (Tree of Life) 2 Frozen-thawed mice (Tree of Life)
King snake 3 to 4 ft, most adults (PHS) 36 x 18 x 18 in minimum (PHS) 84 to 88°F (PHS) Not listed Mice (VCA)
Red-eared slider 7 to 12 in shell (VCA) 10 gal per inch of shell (VCA) Basking 75 to 88°F (VCA) 3 to 4 Omnivore; young eat more protein (VCA)
Russian tortoise 5 to 8 in (University of Illinois) Open tortoise table, not a glass tank (Tortoise Trust) Ask your reptile vet 3 Leaves and flowers (Tortoise Trust)
Sulcata tortoise Almost 3 ft, to 150 lb (VCA) 6 x 6 ft indoors plus a large yard (Tortoise Trust) Ask your reptile vet 3 to 4 Grasses, no fruit (Tortoise Trust)

PHS is the Phoenix Herpetological Society; CNAH the Center for North American Herpetology; Tree of Life is Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center. UVB zones come from the UV-Tool study by Baines and colleagues (2016), which does not list king snakes.

Where the sources disagree. The minimums are not settled. For one leopard gecko, VCA says 10 gallons and the RSPCA asks for roughly twice that. For bearded dragon lifespans, VCA says about 7 to 12 years and the RSPCA 10 to 15 or more. For adult dragon diets, the insect share runs from 50 percent (VCA) to 25 percent (Washington State University). Each species guide sets the figures side by side so you can see the range.

Heat and UVB: the two things to get right

Many of the warnings in the sources are about heat and light. VCA calls hot rocks “dangerous, ineffective” and says they are notorious for burning reptiles, and it links a lack of UV light to metabolic bone disease. Zoo Med and VCA both say glass and most plastics block UVB.

Heat safety

Put every heater on a thermostat and behind a guard, and never use a hot rock. Check both ends of the enclosure with a thermometer every day, as the RSPCA advises, because thermostats are not always accurate.

UVB lamps and fixtures

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Thermostats and gauges

A thermostat holds the temperature; a thermometer proves it. Makers pair dimming thermostats with basking bulbs and heat projectors, and the RSPCA uses an on/off thermostat for heat mats. The heat lamps and thermostats guide has the full comparison.

Reptile thermostats and heat mats

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Hygiene and vet care

Salmonella and hand washing

The CDC says to wash your hands after handling reptiles, their food or anything in their enclosure, and never to clean habitats in food preparation areas. It says children younger than 5 should not handle or touch reptiles or their environments.

VCA says a new bearded dragon should see a veterinarian familiar with reptiles within 48 hours of purchase, and that any change from normal should be evaluated by your veterinarian right away. This site gives no medical advice beyond that: for health questions, see a reptile veterinarian.

All the guides

Frequently asked questions

What supplies do I need for a reptile?

An enclosure of the right size, a heat source on a thermostat, UVB lighting sized to the species, thermometers and a hygrometer, at least two hides, a safe substrate, a heavy water bowl, and the food and supplements the species eats. The sizes and temperatures differ by species.

What is the easiest reptile setup for a beginner?

Smaller species need smaller enclosures: VCA says a single leopard gecko can live in a 10-gallon tank, while an adult bearded dragon needs 60 to 100 gallons or more. Pick the species first, then buy the enclosure for its adult size.

Do all reptiles need UVB?

Sources differ by species. VCA calls UV essential for bearded dragons and says all tortoises need it; for snakes it says veterinarians are divided but UV may be beneficial. The UV-Tool study sets a UVB zone for each species, from 1 for shade dwellers to 4 for full-sun baskers.

Where should I buy reptile supplies?

Any store that sells the right sizes and types. We do not rank stores; this site lists live eBay listings for dry goods and gear and never links live animals, feeder insects or feeder rodents.

Do reptiles carry Salmonella?

They can. The CDC says to wash your hands after handling reptiles, their food or anything in their enclosure, and that children under 5, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick.

Sources

  1. Bearded Dragons - HousingVCA Animal Hospitals
  2. Owning Bearded DragonsVCA Animal Hospitals
  3. Feeding Bearded DragonsVCA Animal Hospitals
  4. Bearded Dragons - DiseasesVCA Animal Hospitals
  5. Bearded dragon husbandryWashington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital
  6. Leopard Geckos: Care and FeedingVCA Animal Hospitals
  7. Snakes - HousingVCA Animal Hospitals
  8. Snakes - ConstrictorVCA Animal Hospitals
  9. Snakes - ColubridVCA Animal Hospitals
  10. Housing Aquatic TurtlesVCA Animal Hospitals
  11. Owning Aquatic TurtlesVCA Animal Hospitals
  12. Feeding Aquatic TurtlesVCA Animal Hospitals
  13. Owning a TortoiseVCA Animal Hospitals
  14. Lighting Requirements for ReptilesVCA Animal Hospitals
  15. How To Care For Your Bearded DragonRSPCA
  16. How To Care For a Leopard GeckoRSPCA
  17. Ball Python Care GuidePhoenix Herpetological Society
  18. Corn Snake Care GuidePhoenix Herpetological Society
  19. Kingsnake Care GuidePhoenix Herpetological Society
  20. Western Hognose Snake CareTree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
  21. Plains Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon nasicus)Center for North American Herpetology
  22. The tortoise and its careUniversity of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
  23. Understanding Indoor Housing and Vivarium Design for TortoisesTortoise Trust
  24. A Habitat for HorsfieldsTortoise Trust
  25. Care of the African spurred tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)Tortoise Trust
  26. How much UVB does my reptile need? The UV-Tool, a guide to the selection of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians in captivity (Baines et al. 2016)Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research
  27. Lighting & UVB EducationZoo Med Laboratories
  28. Reptiles and Amphibians (Healthy Pets)CDC

Filed under Enclosures

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