lizard tank sizes

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KATALEKEEPER

Dovii
MFK Member
Nov 18, 2020
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Brooklyn, Ny
something crazy to me is the size people advise you to keep your lizards in. I know the advice is sound because it comes from experts, not just like petco. For example. In the "reptiles" magazine they advise you that you can keep a 1 foot long lizard in a 3 by 2 tank. They are proffesionals so I trust what they say but damn. Its so different from aquariums.
 
They don’t do much usually, and half of that length is the tail. Much like fish, activity level is important. My giant day gecko can be kept in 18x18x24 happily, but he doesn’t do much. My anole I keep in 12x12x18, but having once kept him in the gecko’s tank, I can tell you that that should be the minimum, not 10 gallons.
I keep my crested gecko in slightly smaller than the recommended size, but she is happy, laying eggs, and doesn’t do much anyway (laziest lizard ever).
The larger lizards generally just spend all day basking and can be taken out of the cage to roam around the house, so you can do smaller cages than you think.
That said, guidelines are generally correct but you should always shoot for larger, the lizard will thank you.
 
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They don’t do much usually, and half of that length is the tail. Much like fish, activity level is important. My giant day gecko can be kept in 18x18x24 happily, but he doesn’t do much. My anole I keep in 12x12x18, but having once kept him in the gecko’s tank, I can tell you that that should be the minimum, not 10 gallons.
I keep my crested gecko in slightly smaller than the recommended size, but she is happy, laying eggs, and doesn’t do much anyway (laziest lizard ever).
The larger lizards generally just spend all day basking and can be taken out of the cage to roam around the house, so you can do smaller cages than you think.
That said, guidelines are generally correct but you should always shoot for larger, the lizard will thank you.
are day geckos hard to take care of? I love them! I have had a beardie before
 
are day geckos hard to take care of? I love them! I have had a beardie before
Not at all.
Max size: 10-12 inches
Tank size: 18x18x24
Temps: 85-90 in basking area, about 70 in cool area
Humidity: 50-80, 65-70 is ideal
They do need uv
Mine seems to like dense foliage and they also appreciate a few thicker branches, I’ve read they love bamboo.
They will eat both crickets and the crested gecko paste (Pangea and repashy are the best brands).
Only issue I’ve come across is that mine is VERY skittish and has escaped a few times. Not too hard to catch due to bright colors. They are also very fast.
They tolerate handling (or so I’ve heard), but have fragile skin so you have to be extra careful. More of a display lizard, if you want something you can handle get a crestie (another amazing lizard).
Best part is that you can tell people you own the Geico gecko!
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Oz says thank you for considering the giant day gecko!
 
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I think it is a lot of activity level. An 18 inch jag or pacu will use every inch of tank space, while an 18 inch skink or uromastyx just sits there (May occasionally eat).
 
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