West Toowoomba Vet Surgery 
                       Caring for Pets... and people too

HOUSING REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMONLY KEPT REPTILES

Environmental Guidelines for Common Reptile Species

 

Species

Optimal Temperature

Humidity Level

Natural Habitat

Bearded dragon

35oC-40oC

10%-20%

Arid, terrestrial, semi-aboreal

Blue tongue lizard 

33oC

35%-50%

Arid, terrestrial

Carpet, diamond python

29oC

35%-80%

arboreal

Children's python

33oC

35%-50%

terrestrial

Eastern long necked turtle

26-27oC

60%-90%

Aquatic and terrestrial

 

Minimum Cage Size Requirements

Species                          Dimension

 

Lizards         Length: 3x snout-to-tail  
                                 length

                   Depth: 2x snout-to-tail length

                   Height (terrestrial): 1.5x snout-
                                           to-
tail length

                   Height (arboreal): 3x snout-to-
                                            tail 
length

 

Snakes         Length: 1x adult snake's
                                        total length

                   Depth: 2/3 adult snake's total
                             length

                   Height (terrestrial): 3/4 adult 
                                   snake's 
total length

                   Height (arboreal): 1 x adult
                                   snake's 
total length

 

Turtles         Length: 5 x carapace (shell) 
                              length, 
of  total cage 
                              length should be land

                   Depth: 3 x carapace length

                   Water height: 2 x carapace
                                       length

                   Total height: 2 x carapace
                                     length 
plus 30cms