The adorable and vivid leopard geckos are the easiest lizards/reptiles to care for. These reptiles that live in the ground do not require a lot in order to be happy and healthy; all they want is a cage that is adequately supplied and a portion of food that is balanced. The ideal enclosure for a Leo should provide it with a comfortable home reminiscent of its natural environment and plenty of room to roam around and discover new things.
Leopard geckos, in contrast to several other species of reptiles used as pets, stay relatively tiny throughout their lives and only reach a maximum length of 10 inches when fully grown, measuring from the nostrils tip up to the end point of their tail. However, because these lizards are so small, they are accustomed to covering a large area in the wild; thus, the terrarium in which they are kept must be pretty large.
Despite what you believe, an adult Leo cannot survive in a tank that is only 12 or 15 gallons in size. If you adorn the terrarium with caverns, vegetation, rocks, and wood logs, it will be far too tiny for a mature Leo to roam about freely in this space. When it reaches maturity, your gecko will want a place that is at least 20-25 gallons in size. So, keeping that in mind, let us discuss the best leopard Gecko setups.
Here are the top 3 leopard Geckos tanks/terrariums that serve best as an ideal habitat for Leos:
- REPTI ZOO Leo Glass Terrarium
- Carolina Custom Cages Tank
- REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Vivarium (Double door)
Overview of any ideal Leo’s Terrarium
The dimensions of the tank are the most critical aspect of the habitat for the leopard gecko, so be sure to keep that in mind.
A tank with a minimum capacity of 20 gallons is required for keeping adult Leopard Geckos (as discussed above). The larger the environment, the higher the degree of suitability.
Tanks with less than 20 gallons capacity are typically insufficient for holding the bowl of food and water, decorations, and even hides.
Most owners decide to house their newborn Leo in tanks that are 10 gallons in capacity, and then, after the first year, they upgrade to a larger tank. This is not something that is suggested because it results in higher costs and requires a significant amount of time.
Leo’s Terrarium Types (depending upon the material they are made of)
There are three distinct types of Leopard Gecko tanks available for you to choose from when housing your gecko:
- Mesh
- Glass
- Wood
Glass is often considered to be the material of choice when constructing Leo’s tank.
Enclosures for Leopard Geckos made of glass are the most common and may be purchased in various sizes.
The usage of wood is possible. If you enjoy the way, it looks. However, it may provide a fire risk, making it difficult for beginners to maintain the appropriate humidity levels.
MESH
Mesh vivaria are typically employed for keeping climbing-oriented reptiles and amphibians. As arboreal creatures, chameleons with veils are maintained in enclosures made of mesh because of their delicate skin.
Leos are not arboreal hence do not climb. They must be contained in lengthy but not particularly tall tanks.
Most cages constructed of mesh are tall since their primary purpose is to house reptiles (in the form of terrariums), who tend to climb. Because of this, it could be challenging to find a mesh tank of a size that is appropriate for a leopard gecko that has a capacity of 20 gallons.
If you are able to get a long mesh tank that holds 20 gallons of water, you should consider the impacts of both stress and humidity.
In other cases, the mesh can interfere with the appropriate maintenance of humidity, and the expansive space may be unpleasant for your gecko.
GLASS
Glass tanks are straightforward to clean and maintain. They are also very good at retaining the appropriate amounts of humidity.
In addition, they come with see-through sides, which make it easy to keep an eye on your pet from any angle.
It is possible to affix fake plants, thermostats, and other ornaments to the glass walls of glass tanks, which is one of the benefits of using glass tanks.
Glass enclosures are often lightweight, making them simple to move about for purposes such as cleaning or arranging the tank’s contents.
The sole drawback of glass homes is the high price tag associated with purchasing one. The price of a quality glass tank might range anywhere from $120 to $250.
WOOD
Enclosures made of wood are an excellent option for those individuals who want their surroundings to be appealing and appealing to the eye.
Unfortunately, wooden cages are difficult to find and do not provide a suitable home for leopard geckos in any way.
When compared to glass tanks, they also do not have the same level of efficiency.
Tanks made of wood are vulnerable to the deterioration caused by the combined effects of heat and moisture.
In addition, it may be challenging to maintain these habitats, and they are vulnerable to absorbing water. In order to prevent mold growth, the habitats need to be maintained regularly.
Between $70 and $200 is the average price range for a tank made of wood to house a leopard gecko.
How big your Leo’s tank must be?
Juvenile Leos require a 15-gallon tank. On the other hand, it is best to invest in a cage designed for adults right from the start. Adult Leos need at minimum 20-gallon terrariums. The gecko has the freedom to investigate its surroundings and move about thanks to the tank’s capacity of 20 gallons.
Keep in mind that young Leo will rapidly outgrow a tank that is too small for them if you decide to buy a smaller tank for your beginning. They add an extra inch to the height every three months.
When they are more than six inches long, they need a habitat that is at least 20 gallons in size.
Tip: It is not recommended to simultaneously house two leopard geckos in the same space.
As a result of territorial aggressiveness, the presence of several geckos in the same area can lead to injuries or even fatalities. These incidents can occur because of competition over territory. Both males and females exhibit aggressive behavior at relatively high rates.
If you want to maintain numerous geckos in the same space, you may use a tank that’s at least 30 gallons in size and has multiple hiding spots for them all to claim their own area.
Best 3 Leopard Geckos Terrariums/Tanks
The following are some of our top recommendations for providing the ideal habitat for your pet gecko.
1. REPTI ZOO Leo Glass Terrarium
Repti Zoo Leo Glass Terrarium has dimensions of 30 inches by 12 inches by 18 inches which are best for both juvenile and adult Leopard Geckos. There are two alternatives for the dimensions, and the one that is more appropriate for leos since it gives more floor area is the horizontal design. It is a pricey tank that is delivered in a flat-pack format. Because of this, some assembly will be necessary; nonetheless, the product is straightforward to assemble, and the fact that it is delivered in flat-packed form lessens the likelihood that you will find a shattered mess upon unboxing it.
The base of the terrarium is elevated and watertight, and it features a variety of apertures as well as safe vents. Some vents can be sealed off for wiring and connections, and the top piece of the front of the terrarium can be opened and then closed securely, which is convenient for making cleaning the tank easier.
Even though this tank appears to be significantly costly, it is, in fact, a 30-gallon tank, which more than satisfies the minimum size requirements for an adult gecko.
2. Carolina Custom Cages Tank
This XL Carolina Custom Cages Tank terrarium is ideal for housing two mature Leos. Still, it is also suitable for housing a single leopard gecko if you do not intend to maintain any more of these reptiles. If you live in a cramped apartment, this 60-gallon tank may not be the best choice for you because of the required room. However, setting it up is not very difficult.
This extra-large Leo tank is an ideal decision to make if you intend to retain a pair of Leos and intend to breed them in the future. Even if you want to keep a pair of female Leos together, this tank with a capacity of sixty gallons will give them sufficient space to live in peace with one another.
The top of this container is made of a metallic screen mesh, which allows for ample airflow and maintains the interior of the tank open and airy. It is possible to place any kind of bulb light or even a heat source on the top since it is a robust surface.
The front doors have hinges, and there is a crucial lock for further protection. It is highly recommended that you go with the Carolina Custom Cages sixty-gallon terrarium that has dimensions of 36 inches by 18 inches by 36 inches. This is an excellent choice if you intend to have more than one Leos.
3. REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Vivarium (Double door)
This glass terrarium which REPTI ZOO manufactured, is yet another excellent enclosure option for adult leopard geckos. This tank is constructed in a vertical orientation, in contrast to its predecessor, which had a horizontal arrangement of components. Even though leopard geckos don’t climb as frequently as some other types of reptiles, they won’t mind if more vertical space is available to them.
Because it is 36 inches by 18 inches by 18 inches, this leopard gecko tank configuration may serve as a habitat for either a young gecko or a fully developed adult gecko. The two front and top doors of this habitat are among the features that we appreciate the most about it. Because of the two holes, you have improved access, making it much simpler to clean your gecko’s tank and provide food for it.
Another advantageous feature is that each door can be opened independently, and a safety lock is installed to prevent anyone from escaping. This REPTI ZOO tank features a raised bottom framework that provides space for the installation of an under-tank heating pad, should the requirement arise. The top mesh, which is detachable and not overly dense, allows air and light to circulate freely within the tank while also preventing excess heat and sunlight from accessing its interior.
This an excellent enclosure that is suitable for housing leopard gecko hatchlings as well as fully grown leopard geckos.
How to Decide Which Leo Tank Is Right for You?
Because leopard geckos kept in captivity have a 14-16 years lifespan, you will need to locate an ideal habitat for them that will last for the whole of their lives. These warm climate lizards spend the majority of their time on the tank surface, so they require a large amount of horizontal area to wander around. However, they also benefit from having a little bit of steep/vertical surfaces.
When searching for the ideal tank, in addition to the form and structure, there are a few other essential factors to take into consideration. They are as follows:
Size
When searching for a habitat for your reptile companion, the size of the tank you choose will likely be the single most significant consideration. The minimum suggested size for a home for a mature Leo is a tank that holds at least 20 gallons, and if you want to maintain two geckos, you’ll need a tank that contains at least 30 gallons.
However, young leopard geckos may make do with a tank that has a 15 gallons capacity unless they reach their adult size, at which point they will want more space. Your Leo will need to be relocated to a larger tank when it reaches the age when it can mate.
Screen Top
These days, most terrariums are equipped with mesh screens that ensure that the cage’s interior has adequate ventilation and stops animals from escaping through the top of the enclosure. However, this is not a significant worry for them because leopard geckos, in contrast to the vast majority of other geckos, do not possess adhesive toe pads.
Retains Heat
Because Leos are lizards that are native to desert environments, their enclosures need to be heated. They should be designed to resemble their natural habitat as closely as possible. Glass tanks are better at retaining heat than wooden terrariums. You should steer clear of cages made entirely of mesh. You should also look for terrariums that have elevated bottoms to adjust a heating pad in order to keep your Leo warm
Last but not least, keep in mind that a reptile terrarium by itself does not constitute a habitat.