A big enough enclosure lets your reptile move, explore and choose between warm and cool areas. Small tanks make a proper temperature gradient almost impossible.
Watch: is your reptile's tank too small?
Recommended minimums
- Leopard gecko: 36" x 18" x 18" (a 40-gallon breeder) is the widely recommended minimum for one adult. Bigger is always better.
- Bearded dragon: 4' x 2' x 2' (120 gallons) is the size most keepers and vets recommend for an adult. Juveniles can go straight into an adult-size enclosure.
Front-opening enclosures make daily care easier and feel less threatening than reaching in from above.
Laying it out
- Warm side: basking platform directly under the heat and UVB lamps.
- Cool side: a hide where your reptile can rest and cool down.
- Leopard geckos need three hides: warm, cool and humid. A humid hide helps them shed cleanly.
- Bearded dragons need a large cool-side hide and a sturdy, raised basking spot.
- Add low clutter, like rocks, branches or plants, so your reptile feels secure and has things to explore.
Flooring
Our bearded dragon kit includes a non-adhesive reptile liner that's easy to clean and removes the risk of swallowing loose substrate. Our leopard gecko kit leaves flooring up to you, so you can pick a simple option or go naturalistic. Many experienced keepers use soil-based mixes; see our bioactive guide for what that involves. Whatever you choose, keep it clean and mostly dry.
Leopard Gecko Kit (fits 36" x 18") · Bearded Dragon Kit (fits 4' x 2' x 2')