The 5 Best Terrariums, Habitats & Tank Setups for Leopard Geckos

The 5 Best Terrariums, Habitats & Tank Setups for Leopard Geckos

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Known for their spotted pattern and large eyes, leopard geckos make very interesting pets. Unlike some pet reptiles, they remain fairly small and do not require any unusual care.

They do need a healthy diet to provide for their nutritional needs as well as an adequate habitat that enables them to exhibit natural behaviors. In order to do that you need the right tank and equipment, so read on to learn how.

At A Glance: Best Terrariums, Habitats & Tank Setups For Leopard Geckos To Buy

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Leopard Gecko Tank

Overall Best 1. REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank View on Chewy Read Review	Runner Up 2. Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Kit, for Reptiles and Amphibians View on Amazon Read Review	Best Affordable 3. Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium View on Amazon Read Review	Best Dual Hinged Terrarium 4. Exo Terra Outback 24x18x12 Inch Terrarium View on Amazon Read Review	Best Mini Glass Terrarium 5. REPTIZOO Mini Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank View on Amazon Read Review
Materials Glass	Materials Glass, screen	Materials Glass, wire mesh	Materials Glass, screen	Materials Glass, screen
Size 36x18x18 inches	Size 12x12x12	Size 50 x 20 x 12 inches	Size 24x18x12 inches	Size 8x8x12 inches
Features Hinged doors, ventilation	Features Hinged doors, front ventilation	Features Waterproof base, hinged doors, key entry	Features 3D rock background, hinged doors	Features Screen top, lift and pull top

What To Look For In Habitat For Leopard Geckos

Leopard geckos can live for 10-20 years in captivity and achieve a total length around 10 inches. They are desert creatures and they are primarily nocturnal, so you’ll need to recreate both of these conditions in your leopard gecko habitat. With the right equipment and a little bit of planning, it shouldn’t be very difficult at all.

Here are some important things to look for in leopard gecko tank:

• Total size. The average leopard gecko grows to about 10 inches long, so choose a 10- or 20-gallon tank long enough for your gecko to move in naturally.
• Dimensions. Leopard geckos tend to climb a little, so make sure you choose a tank 12 inches tall or more. This will enable you to decorate it to mimic your gecko’s natural habitat.
• Retains heat. This species lives in the desert, so you’ll need to keep the cage very warm. Glass cages tend to retain heat more than plastic and all-screen cages should be avoided.
• Screen top. A screen top is a good idea for ventilation and so you can place lighting and heating elements directly on top of it. You also need to make sure the screen top is secure.

Our Top Picks For The Best Leopard Gecko Tank

Now that you have a better idea what to look for in your leopard gecko tank, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best leopard gecko terrariums.

Here are our top 5 picks for the best leopard gecko tank:

Overall Best

1.

REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Glass
• Size: 36x18x18 inches
• Features: Hinged doors, ventilation

Pros

• Generous size, can accommodate adult geckos
• Hinged double doors, open separately
• Raised bottom for under-tank heating

Cons

• Significantly more expensive than some options
• Can be very heavy to move or transport

Leopard geckos are not the largest reptiles out there, but they do grow up to 10 inches or more with proper care. If you’re looking for a terrarium to house an adult leopard gecko (or two), then consider this Repti Zoo Double Hinge Door Glass Aquarium. It features double hinged doors which can open separately to prevent escape and a raised bottom to accommodate an under-tank heater.

Runner Up

2.

Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Kit, for Reptiles and Amphibians

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Glass, screen
• Size: 12x12x12
• Features: Hinged doors, front ventilation

Pros

• All-glass construction with screen top
• Double hinged doors with front ventilation
• Raised bottom to accommodate heating pad

Cons

• Not large enough for adult geckos
• Some reports of escape, mostly with snakes

If the previous option is a little too big or expensive, consider the Exo Terra Glass 12x12x12 Inch Reptile Terrarium as a starter for your juvenile gecko. This terrarium is a very manageable size and it is affordably priced just over $50. It also features double front doors in an all-glass construction with a screen top. It also has ventilation on the front and a raised bottom to accommodate an under-tank heater, should you choose to use one.

Best Affordable

3.

Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Glass, wire mesh
• Size: 50 x 20 x 12 inches
• Features: Waterproof base, hinged doors, key entry

Pros

• Generously sized, can hold two adults
• Raised bottom for under-tank heating options
• Durable all-glass construction with screen top

Cons

• Significantly more expensive than some models
• Can be heavy and tricky to put together
• With this height, it can be difficult to keep the desired temperatures low in the cage where the geckos live

If you’re willing to pay more for a high-quality construction, choose this Carolina Custom Cages terrarium. It is durably constructed and features dual hinged doors, a raised base, and a screen top. It is large enough for two adult leopard geckos and has plenty of room for décor and hideouts.

Best Dual Hinged Terrarium

4.

Exo Terra Outback 24x18x12 Inch Terrarium

View on Amazon

View on Petsmart

Product Info

• Materials: Glass, screen
• Size: 24x18x12 inches
• Features: 3D rock background, hinged doors

Pros

• Limited edition painted 3D rock background
• Dual hinged front doors with ventilation
• All-glass construction with screen top

Cons

• Somewhat pricey compared to similar models
• Can be a little tricky to put together

Looking for a terrarium that will mimic your leopard gecko’s natural habitat? This Exo Terra Outback terrarium features a limited-edition 3D hand-painted rock background to make your gecko feel at home. It also features an all-glass construction with a screen top and dual hinged front doors with ventilation.

Best Mini Glass Terrarium Tank

5.

REPTIZOO Mini Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Glass, screen
• Size: 8x8x12 inches
• Features: Screen top, lift and pull top

Pros

• All-glass construction with screen top
• Lift and pull door adds security
• Affordable price and good starter size

Cons

• May not be large enough for an adult or multiple geckos

If you’re looking for a temporary housing option or a smaller terrarium to keep a juvenile leopard gecko, this Repti Zoo Mini Reptile Glass Terrarium could be a good option. It only measures 8x8x12 inches, so it may not be ideal for an adult gecko, but it does feature an all-glass construction with a screen top. Plus, it is affordably priced under $50.

Tips For Caring For Leopard Geckos

Leopard geckos are not large reptiles, so they do not require an unusually large amount of space. They do require a 10- to 20-gallon tank, but that should be adequate for one leopard gecko. It’s best to house them individually, but with a very large enclosure and the right setup you can house two together. In addition to choosing the right tank for your pet, you also need to know how to properly equip it to maintain the proper temperature and humidity.

Here are some simple tips for caring for pet leopard geckos:

• Choose a tank that is at least 1 foot (12 inches) tall and has a 10-to-20-gallon capacity – this is adequate for one adult leopard gecko.
• Make sure the tank you choose has a secure top – a screen top is ideal for ventilation and to use for setting up heat lamps and lighting.
• Use an under-tank heater to warm one end of the cage where you place one hide box – the ideal temperature is 88 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit on the warm end.
• Place a second hide box on the cool end and keep the ambient temperature above 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Keep the lights on in your tank for 12 hours per day – leopard geckos are nocturnal, so they will only come out when it is dark.
• Spot-clean your gecko tank once a day to remove solid waste and do a more thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the cage and cage objects once a week.

Now that you have a better idea how to care for your leopard geckos, you can see how important it is to choose the right terrarium. Use what you’ve learned here to make a smart choice when you start shopping for your new leopard gecko habitat.

Final Remarks

Choosing the right terrarium for your leopard gecko doesn’t need to be a chore. With what you’ve learned here, you can easily choose the right option for your gecko and your budget. If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for a gecko tank, try out one of the top 5 best leopard gecko terrariums we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!