Care guides

Reptile species care guides

192 species, each with the numbers that actually matter: adult and hatchling enclosure footprints, basking and cool-side temperatures, UVB output, humidity targets, substrate depth, furnishing tips and a species FAQ. Every guide uses the same husbandry data as the in-app enclosure builder.

Snakes

Ball python

Python regius

A heavy-bodied ambush snake that needs floor space and heavy cover. Ball pythons will use every inch given, and cluttered large enclosures reduce stress rather than cause it.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 24" H

Corn snake

Pantherophis guttatus

An active, curious colubrid that both climbs and burrows. Height is genuinely used, so don't treat a corn snake as a pure floor-dweller.

Adult: 60" L × 24" W × 30" H

Boa imperator

A large, powerful boa. Young animals are strongly arboreal; adults need serious floor space and structural climbing.

Adult: 96" L × 36" W × 36" H

Western hognose

Heterodon nasicus

A small, diurnal digging snake. Floor space and substrate depth matter far more than height — they spend much of the day buried.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 16" H

King / milk snake

Lampropeltis spp.

Restless, muscular colubrids that roam constantly. They must be housed alone — kingsnakes eat other snakes.

Adult: 60" L × 24" W × 24" H

Kenyan sand boa

Eryx colubrinus

A small burrowing boa that spends most of its life under the substrate. Depth matters far more than height.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 16" H

Rosy boa

Lichanura trivirgata

A slow-moving desert boa from the American southwest. Dry, warm and easy — overfeeding and wet substrate are the two real risks.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 18" H

Brazilian rainbow boa

Epicrates cenchria

An iridescent humidity-dependent boa. Their care stands or falls on holding 75–90% humidity without soaking the enclosure.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 24" H

Carpet python

Morelia spilota

An active Australasian python that genuinely uses branches. Jungle, coastal and jag lines vary in adult size — build for the subspecies you keep.

Adult: 96" L × 24" W × 36" H

Green tree python

Morelia viridis

A fully arboreal display python that perches all day. Perch placement and stable humidity matter more than floor area — an advanced-keeper species.

Adult: 36" L × 24" W × 36" H

Blood / short-tailed python

Python brongersmai

A short, extremely heavy-bodied python from humid Southeast Asian lowlands. They need floor space, high humidity and cooler temps than most pythons.

Adult: 72" L × 30" W × 24" H

Reticulated python

Malayopython reticulatus

A giant, highly intelligent python for experienced keepers only. Many states, counties and cities restrict or ban large constrictors — check your local law before acquiring one.

Adult: 144" L × 60" W × 48" H

Burmese python

Python bivittatus

A massive, generally placid python that outgrows almost every commercial enclosure. Federally restricted from interstate transport in the US and banned or permitted in many states — verify your local law first.

Adult: 144" L × 60" W × 48" H

Garter snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

A diurnal, active North American snake that is awake and visible all day. They want a bright, planted, semi-humid setup and a water area.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

California kingsnake

Lampropeltis californiae

Hardy, active and food-motivated, including the black kingsnake forms. Kingsnakes eat other snakes — always house alone.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Eastern kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

A large, glossy kingsnake that grows to 4–5 ft. Ophiophagous — house alone.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 24" H

Gray-banded kingsnake

Lampropeltis alterna

A small, shy desert kingsnake from rocky Texas/Mexico habitat. Hatchlings often start on lizards before switching to pinkies.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H

Pueblan milk snake

Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli

A bright tricolor milk snake reaching about 3 ft. Nervous as babies, calm with time.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Honduran milk snake

Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis

One of the largest milk snakes (4–5 ft), tropical in origin and a strong feeder.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 24" H

Eastern rat snake

Pantherophis obsoletus

A long, strong climber (5–6 ft) — give height as well as floor space.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 48" H

Gray rat snake

Pantherophis spiloides

A large, climbing rat snake of the central/eastern US. Needs height and sturdy branches.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 48" H

Baird's rat snake

Pantherophis bairdi

A calm, gray-orange rat snake from Texas and Mexico, typically 4–5 ft.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 36" H

Great Plains rat snake

Pantherophis emoryi

A smaller, corn-snake-like rat snake (3–4 ft) from drier grassland.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Bullsnake / gopher snake

Pituophis catenifer

Big, powerful burrowers (4–7 ft). Loud hissing bluff, usually tames well.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 24" H

Children's python

Antaresia childreni

A small (3 ft), easy-going Australian python — a good first python.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Spotted python

Antaresia maculosa

A slightly larger Antaresia (3–4 ft) that climbs readily and feeds eagerly.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Woma python

Aspidites ramsayi

A terrestrial, burrowing Australian python (4–5 ft), famously food-driven.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 24" H

Bredl's python

Morelia bredli

Central Australian carpet python relative, 6–7 ft, climbs and needs room to stretch.

Adult: 96" L × 24" W × 48" H

Dumeril's boa

Acrantophis dumerili

A heavy, slow, docile Madagascan ground boa (5–7 ft).

Adult: 96" L × 36" W × 24" H

Solomon Islands ground boa

Candoia carinata

A small (2–3 ft), stocky Pacific boa that likes humidity and leaf litter.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Emerald tree boa

Corallus caninus

A fully arboreal boa that coils on horizontal perches. Advanced care: high humidity with strong airflow.

Adult: 36" L × 24" W × 48" H

Amazon tree boa

Corallus hortulanus

A slender, highly variable arboreal boa (5–6 ft). Hardier than emerald tree boas but quick to strike.

Adult: 36" L × 24" W × 48" H

African house snake

Boaedon fuliginosus

A small (2–4 ft), fast-feeding African colubrid that breeds readily.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Eastern hognose

Heterodon platirhinos

A dramatic bluffer that plays dead. Wild diet is toads, so captive feeding can take patience.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 18" H

Tricolor hognose

Xenodon pulcher

A coral-snake-patterned South American hognose, very active and fast-feeding.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 18" H

Checkered garter snake

Thamnophis marcianus

An active, diurnal garter that does well on a varied fish and rodent diet.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Green anaconda

Eunectes murinus

One of the heaviest snakes on earth (females 15+ ft). Expert-only: needs a room-sized enclosure with a large pool.

Adult: 144" L × 72" W × 48" H

Geckos

Crested gecko

Correlophus ciliatus

A nocturnal, fully arboreal gecko. Height and dense planting matter more than floor area, and they need a cool room — heat above 82°F is dangerous.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 36" H

Gargoyle gecko

Rhacodactylus auriculatus

Similar to crested geckos but heavier bodied and more terrestrial in habit — give both height and some usable floor.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 36" H

Leopard gecko

Eublepharis macularius

A ground-dwelling, crepuscular gecko from arid grassland. The old 10-gallon recommendation is obsolete — they need floor space, a real gradient and enrichment.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 18" H

Giant day gecko

Phelsuma grandis

A brightly diurnal, high-UVB arboreal gecko. Planted vertical space and strong lighting are non-negotiable.

Adult: 24" L × 24" W × 48" H

Tokay gecko

Gekko gecko

Large, nocturnal, and defensive. Plenty of vertical cover reduces the stress that drives their reputation for biting.

Adult: 36" L × 24" W × 48" H

Chahoua gecko

Mniarogekko chahoua

A heavy-bodied New Caledonian arboreal gecko. They want girthy cork to grip, high humidity at night and cool room temperatures — never a basking lamp.

Adult: 24" L × 24" W × 36" H

Leachianus gecko

Rhacodactylus leachianus

The largest living gecko. Adults need a tall, heavily furnished enclosure with a hollow cork retreat, and are usually kept singly — they can be territorial.

Adult: 36" L × 24" W × 48" H

African fat-tailed gecko

Hemitheconyx caudicinctus

A ground-dwelling West African gecko — like a leopard gecko but wanting more humidity and a permanently damp hide.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 18" H

Mourning gecko

Lepidodactylus lugubris

A tiny parthenogenetic gecko — all females, and any group will reproduce without a male. Kept in colonies in a planted vertical tank.

Adult: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H

Pictus gecko

Paroedura pictus

A small, fast Madagascan ground gecko. Simple arid-ish setup with a humid hide, but they are quick — open the enclosure low and slow.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H

Chinese cave gecko

Goniurosaurus luii

A cool, humid, low-light gecko. The single biggest mistake is keeping them too warm — they need no basking lamp and a room that stays below 80°F.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H

Gold dust day gecko

Phelsuma laticauda

A small, brilliant day gecko. Look-don't-touch — skin tears easily.

Adult: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H

Standing's day gecko

Phelsuma standingi

A large, robust day gecko from dry Madagascar forest. Look-don't-touch.

Adult: 24" L × 24" W × 48" H

Knob-tailed gecko

Nephrurus spp.

Small, big-headed Australian desert geckos that burrow by day.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H

Satanic leaf-tailed gecko

Uroplatus phantasticus

A tiny, leaf-mimicking Madagascan gecko. Cool, humid and delicate — advanced.

Adult: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H

Western banded gecko

Coleonyx variegatus

A small, nocturnal North American desert gecko.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 12" H

Lizards

Bearded dragon

Pogona vitticeps

A large, highly active desert lizard with one of the highest UVB requirements in the hobby. 40-gallon tanks are a starting point, not an adult home.

Adult: 96" L × 24" W × 24" H

Blue-tongue skink

Tiliqua spp.

A heavy, ground-hugging omnivore that burrows. Floor space and deep substrate matter; height is largely wasted on them.

Adult: 96" L × 36" W × 24" H

Uromastyx

Uromastyx spp.

An extreme-desert herbivore needing the hottest basking surface and driest air of any common pet lizard, plus a deep burrow.

Adult: 96" L × 36" W × 24" H

Veiled chameleon

Chamaeleo calyptratus

Needs airflow above all — screen or hybrid enclosures only, densely planted, with a strong vertical thermal gradient.

Adult: 36" L × 24" W × 48" H

Panther chameleon

Furcifer pardalis

Like the veiled but slightly cooler and more humid, and just as intolerant of stagnant air or cohabitation.

Adult: 36" L × 24" W × 48" H

Green anole

Anolis carolinensis

Small, fast and diurnal. Cheap to buy but not cheap to keep well — they need real UVB and a densely planted vertical space.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 36" H

Ackie monitor

Varanus acanthurus

A dwarf monitor with big-monitor intelligence. Deep diggable substrate and a very hot, tight basking surface are non-negotiable.

Adult: 96" L × 48" W × 36" H

Savannah monitor

Varanus exanthematicus

Cheap to buy, expensive to keep properly. Adults need a room-scale cage, deep humid soil and a very hot basking surface; obesity and metabolic disease come from getting this wrong.

Adult: 144" L × 72" W × 48" H

Argentine black & white tegu

Salvator merianae

A large, dog-tame lizard that brumates and digs. Plan for a custom 8x4 ft enclosure from day one; some states restrict tegus, so check your local law.

Adult: 144" L × 72" W × 48" H

Chinese water dragon

Physignathus cocincinus

A tall, humid, planted setup with a big water feature. Their classic problem is snout rubbing on glass — height, cover and visual barriers prevent it.

Adult: 72" L × 36" W × 72" H

Red-eyed crocodile skink

Tribolonotus gracilis

A small, shy, semi-aquatic skink from New Guinea. Cool, very humid, heavily cluttered bioactive setups with a water dish they can sit in.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H

Frilled dragon

Chlamydosaurus kingii

A tall-cage arboreal agamid that perches vertically on trunks. Height, hot basking and seasonal humidity swings define their care.

Adult: 72" L × 36" W × 72" H

Green iguana

Iguana iguana

A large (5–6 ft) herbivorous climber. Adults need a room-sized or custom enclosure, not a tank.

Adult: 96" L × 48" W × 72" H

Rankin's dragon

Pogona henrylawsoni

A smaller, more social cousin of the bearded dragon (about 12 in).

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Fire skink

Mochlus fernandi

A brightly coloured West African skink that burrows and hides much of the day.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Schneider's skink

Eumeces schneideri

A hardy, orange-flecked desert skink (up to 16 in) that loves to dig.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H

Prehensile-tailed skink

Corucia zebrata

The largest living skink, nocturnal and fully herbivorous. Lives in family groups.

Adult: 72" L × 36" W × 72" H

Sudan plated lizard

Gerrhosaurus major

A calm, armoured omnivore (about 18 in) that suits keepers who want a handleable lizard.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 24" H

Knight anole

Anolis equestris

The largest anole (up to 20 in). Territorial — house alone.

Adult: 36" L × 24" W × 48" H

Brown anole

Anolis sagrei

A small, busy anole. One male per enclosure; females can be grouped.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 24" H

Jackson's chameleon

Trioceros jacksonii

A three-horned montane chameleon that needs cool temperatures and a nightly drop.

Adult: 24" L × 24" W × 48" H

Carpet chameleon

Furcifer lateralis

A small, colourful Madagascan chameleon with a short lifespan; needs a seasonal cool period.

Adult: 24" L × 24" W × 48" H

Oustalet's chameleon

Furcifer oustaleti

One of the largest chameleons (up to 27 in). Needs a big, well-ventilated enclosure.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 72" H

Red tegu

Salvator rufescens

A large (3–4.5 ft) intelligent omnivore that brumates in winter.

Adult: 96" L × 48" W × 48" H

Caiman lizard

Dracaena guianensis

A semi-aquatic snail specialist. Advanced: needs a big heated pool and branches over water.

Adult: 120" L × 48" W × 72" H

Asian water monitor

Varanus salvator

A giant (6–8 ft), intelligent monitor. Expert-only: needs a room-sized enclosure with a pool.

Adult: 192" L × 96" W × 96" H

Nile monitor

Varanus niloticus

A fast, powerful, often defensive monitor (5–7 ft). Expert-only.

Adult: 192" L × 96" W × 96" H

Emerald tree monitor

Varanus prasinus

A slender, shy arboreal monitor (about 3 ft). Advanced; often kept in pairs.

Adult: 48" L × 36" W × 72" H

Gila monster

Heloderma suspectum

A slow, heavy venomous lizard from the US Southwest. Permit and experience required.

Adult: 72" L × 36" W × 24" H

Mexican beaded lizard

Heloderma horridum

A larger venomous relative of the Gila monster from western Mexico. Permit and experience required.

Adult: 96" L × 36" W × 36" H

Tortoises

Russian tortoise

Testudo horsfieldii

A dry-grassland tortoise that walks miles and digs deep. Tortoise tables or large open enclosures beat any glass tank.

Adult: 120" L × 60" W × 18" H

Red-footed tortoise

Chelonoidis carbonarius

A tropical forest-floor tortoise: humid, shaded and much larger than most first-time keepers expect.

Adult: 144" L × 72" W × 24" H

Sulcata tortoise

Centrochelys sulcata

The third-largest tortoise in the world and a 70+ year commitment. Adults live outdoors in a heated, escape-proof pen — no indoor enclosure is big enough long term.

Adult: 480" L × 480" W × 30" H

Hermann's tortoise

Testudo hermanni

A hardy Mediterranean tortoise and one of the best first tortoises — a dry, grassy, bright enclosure with outdoor time in warm weather.

Adult: 120" L × 60" W × 18" H

Leopard tortoise

Stigmochelys pardalis

A large African grazing tortoise. Warm, bright and grass-fed, with more humidity than most keepers expect for hatchlings.

Adult: 240" L × 120" W × 24" H

Indian star tortoise

Geochelone elegans

A star-patterned tortoise that needs warmth and humidity; prone to respiratory illness if kept cold.

Adult: 96" L × 48" W × 24" H

Greek tortoise

Testudo graeca

A hardy Mediterranean tortoise; best kept outdoors in warm months.

Adult: 96" L × 48" W × 24" H

Marginated tortoise

Testudo marginata

The largest Testudo, with a flared rear shell. Outdoors when weather allows.

Adult: 96" L × 48" W × 24" H

Turtles

Eastern box turtle

Terrapene carolina

A humid woodland turtle, not an aquatic one. They need deep damp soil, heavy leaf litter, a shallow soaking pool and, ideally, an outdoor pen.

Adult: 96" L × 48" W × 24" H

Red-eared slider

Trachemys scripta elegans

An aquatic turtle that needs a filtered pond-sized volume, not a tank with a rock. Adults commonly reach 10–12 in — plan for 100+ gallons.

Adult: 96" L × 30" W × 30" H

Ornate box turtle

Terrapene ornata

A prairie box turtle — drier than eastern boxes, but it still needs a soaking dish.

Adult: 72" L × 36" W × 18" H

Painted turtle

Chrysemys picta

A hardy aquatic turtle (5–10 in) that basks often.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 24" H

Map turtle

Graptemys spp.

Strong-swimming river turtles. Females are much larger than males.

Adult: 72" L × 24" W × 24" H

Common musk turtle

Sternotherus odoratus

A small (4 in) bottom-walking turtle; a good fit for a modest aquarium.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H

Striped mud turtle

Kinosternon baurii

A tiny (4 in) Southeastern mud turtle that walks the bottom.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H

Alligator snapping turtle

Macrochelys temminckii

A huge (100+ lb) ambush predator. Expert-only, protected in many states.

Adult: 120" L × 60" W × 36" H

Florida softshell

Apalone ferox

A large, fast, pancake-flat turtle that buries in sand. Bites hard and skin is delicate.

Adult: 120" L × 48" W × 24" H

Amphibians

Amphibian care basics

Amphibia

The fundamentals every frog, toad, salamander and newt keeper needs: clean dechlorinated water, stable humidity, gentle temperatures and minimal handling through permeable skin.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 18" H

Axolotl

Ambystoma mexicanum

A fully aquatic salamander that needs cool, clean, cycled water. Water quality — not heat — is the whole game.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 16" H

Dart frog

Dendrobates / Ranitomeya spp.

Small, bold, captive-bred poison frogs kept in planted bioactive vivariums, often as a group. Humidity and tiny feeders are the essentials.

Adult: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H

Eastern newt / red-spotted newt

Notophthalmus viridescens

A hardy North American newt. Adults are mostly aquatic; the orange 'red eft' juvenile stage is land-dwelling and needs a damp terrestrial setup.

Adult: 24" L × 12" W × 12" H

Spanish ribbed newt

Pleurodeles waltl

A large, fully aquatic, very hardy newt that rarely leaves the water. Easy to keep and breed with cool, clean water.

Adult: 30" L × 12" W × 12" H

Alpine newt

Ichthyosaura alpestris

A small European mountain newt that needs cold water. It is aquatic in the breeding season and often more terrestrial the rest of the year.

Adult: 24" L × 12" W × 12" H

Spotted salamander

Ambystoma maculatum

A secretive, burrowing mole salamander that spends most of its life underground. Cool temperatures and deep damp substrate are essential.

Adult: 30" L × 12" W × 12" H

Marbled salamander

Ambystoma opacum

A stocky, banded mole salamander. It burrows by day and hunts at night, and does well in a cool, damp, leaf-littered terrarium.

Adult: 24" L × 12" W × 12" H

Mudpuppy

Necturus maculosus

A large, fully aquatic salamander with permanent red external gills. It needs cold, well-oxygenated, very clean water and a big tank.

Adult: 48" L × 18" W × 20" H

American green tree frog

Dryophytes cinereus

A small, bright green climbing frog that's easy to keep in a tall planted terrarium. It likes to sit high by day and hunt at night.

Adult: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H

African clawed frog

Xenopus laevis

A fully aquatic, long-lived and very hardy frog that never leaves the water. It is a strong eater and needs a secure lid.

Adult: 30" L × 12" W × 12" H

Pixie frog (African bullfrog)

Pyxicephalus adspersus

A huge, burrowing ambush-predator frog. Males can reach 8–9 in. It needs deep substrate, a large water dish and careful feeding.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 16" H

Amazon milk frog

Trachycephalus resinifictrix

A large, bold, blue-and-brown banded tree frog that's active and relatively hardy. It needs a tall, humid enclosure.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 36" H

Gray tree frog

Dryophytes versicolor

A hardy North American tree frog that changes between gray and green. It tolerates cooler rooms and a moderate humidity range.

Adult: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H

Cane toad

Rhinella marina

A very large, hardy, heavy-eating toad. It needs floor space, a big water dish and careful handling because of its toxins.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 18" H

Colorado River toad

Incilius alvarius

A large desert toad (Sonoran Desert toad) that wants a drier, warmer setup than most amphibians, with a water dish and burrowing space.

Adult: 48" L × 24" W × 18" H

Strawberry poison dart frog

Oophaga pumilio

A tiny, colorful, advanced-level dart frog. Females feed their tadpoles unfertilized eggs, so breeding needs bromeliads and patience.

Adult: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H

Surinam toad

Pipa pipa

A flat, fully aquatic toad famous for carrying its eggs embedded in the female's back until froglets emerge. It needs warm, soft, clean water.

Adult: 48" L × 18" W × 20" H

Rubber eel (caecilian)

Typhlonectes natans

An aquatic legless amphibian (not an eel) that burrows in soft substrate and hides by day. It's a secretive, long-lived escape artist.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 16" H

White's tree frog

Ranoidea caerulea

A hardy, docile, chunky tree frog (also listed as Litoria caerulea). Very forgiving for beginners.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 36" H

Red-eyed tree frog

Agalychnis callidryas

A nocturnal, leaf-sleeping tree frog. Look-don't-touch.

Adult: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H

Tomato frog

Dyscophus guineti

A bright red-orange Madagascan burrowing frog; secretes a sticky skin toxin when stressed.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 12" H

Pacman frog

Ceratophrys cranwelli / C. ornata

A sit-and-wait frog that buries and ambushes. House alone — they eat tankmates.

Adult: 24" L × 18" W × 12" H

Tiger salamander

Ambystoma tigrinum

A large, hardy burrowing salamander that becomes a bold feeder.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H

Fire salamander

Salamandra salamandra

A long-lived black-and-yellow European salamander that needs cool temperatures.

Adult: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H

Chinese fire-bellied newt

Cynops orientalis

A small, mostly aquatic newt kept in cool, planted tanks.

Adult: 30" L × 12" W × 12" H

Oriental fire-bellied toad

Bombina orientalis

A hardy, active, semi-aquatic toad that does well in small groups.

Adult: 30" L × 12" W × 18" H

Invertebrates

Brazilian Black tarantula

Grammostola pulchra

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Chaco Golden Knee

Grammostola pulchripes

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Chilean Rose hair

Grammostola rosea

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Curly Hair tarantula

Tliltocatl albopilosus

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Mexican Red Knee

Brachypelma hamorii

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Mexican Fireleg

Brachypelma boehmei

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Brazilian Whiteknee

Acanthoscurria geniculata

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Costa Rican Zebra

Aphonopelma seemanni

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Pumpkin Patch

Hapalopus formosus

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 9" L × 6" W × 5" H

Skeleton tarantula

Ephebopus murinus

Substrate depth is the enclosure. Give at least 6 in of packed burrowing mix — a fossorial species with shallow substrate sits exposed and stressed at the surface.

Adult: 10" L × 8" W × 12" H

Goliath Birdeater

Theraphosa stirmi

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 27" L × 18" W × 14" H

Salmon Pink Birdeater

Lasiodora parahybana

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 27" L × 18" W × 14" H

Green Bottle Blue

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Pink Toe tarantula

Avicularia avicularia

Height first. Arboreals build tube webs against vertical bark, so give them a tall enclosure with a slab to anchor to and only a couple of inches of substrate.

Adult: 8" L × 8" W × 15" H

Cobalt Blue tarantula

Cyriopagopus lividus

Substrate depth is the enclosure. Give at least 6 in of packed burrowing mix — a fossorial species with shallow substrate sits exposed and stressed at the surface.

Adult: 10" L × 8" W × 12" H

Malaysian Earth Tiger

Cyriopagopus sp. 'Sumatran tiger'

Height first. Arboreals build tube webs against vertical bark, so give them a tall enclosure with a slab to anchor to and only a couple of inches of substrate.

Adult: 8" L × 8" W × 15" H

Orange Baboon tarantula (OBT)

Pterinochilus murinus

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 15" L × 10" W × 8" H

Togo Starburst baboon

Heteroscodra maculata

Height first. Arboreals build tube webs against vertical bark, so give them a tall enclosure with a slab to anchor to and only a couple of inches of substrate.

Adult: 8" L × 8" W × 15" H

Indian Ornamental

Poecilotheria regalis

Height first. Arboreals build tube webs against vertical bark, so give them a tall enclosure with a slab to anchor to and only a couple of inches of substrate.

Adult: 11" L × 11" W × 21" H

King Baboon

Pelinobius muticus

Substrate depth is the enclosure. Give at least 10 in of packed burrowing mix — a fossorial species with shallow substrate sits exposed and stressed at the surface.

Adult: 16" L × 12" W × 16" H

Regal jumping spider

Phidippus regius

Vertical space and clutter. Jumpers hunt by sight and sleep in a silk hammock near the ceiling, so the enclosure needs height, hard points to web to, and a front door so you don't tear the hammock every time you open it.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Bold jumping spider

Phidippus audax

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Canopy jumping spider

Phidippus otiosus

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Johnson's jumping spider

Phidippus johnsoni

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Heavy jumping spider

Hyllus diardi

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Semi-copper jumping spider

Hyllus semicupreus

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Zebra jumping spider

Salticus scenicus

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Grey wall jumper

Menemerus bivittatus

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Pantropical jumper

Plexippus paykulli

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Fighting spider

Thiania bhamoensis

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Peacock jumping spider

Maratus spp.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Wolf spider

Hogna / Tigrosa spp.

Floor space first. Adults want roughly three leg spans of length and no more than about 1.5 leg spans of fall height — a heavy-bodied terrestrial that falls can rupture its abdomen.

Adult: 12" L × 8" W × 6" H

Huntsman spider

Heteropoda spp.

Height first. Arboreals build tube webs against vertical bark, so give them a tall enclosure with a slab to anchor to and only a couple of inches of substrate.

Adult: 8" L × 8" W × 15" H

Chinese mantis

Tenodera sinensis

Molting clearance decides the size: at least three body lengths of height so the mantis can hang upside down and pull free. A short enclosure is the single most common cause of a failed molt.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

European mantis

Mantis religiosa

Molting clearance decides the size: at least three body lengths of height so the mantis can hang upside down and pull free. A short enclosure is the single most common cause of a failed molt.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Ghost mantis

Phyllocrania paradoxa

Molting clearance decides the size: at least three body lengths of height so the mantis can hang upside down and pull free. A short enclosure is the single most common cause of a failed molt.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Orchid mantis

Hymenopus coronatus

Molting clearance decides the size: at least three body lengths of height so the mantis can hang upside down and pull free. A short enclosure is the single most common cause of a failed molt.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Giant Asian mantis

Hierodula membranacea

Molting clearance decides the size: at least three body lengths of height so the mantis can hang upside down and pull free. A short enclosure is the single most common cause of a failed molt.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Dead leaf mantis

Deroplatys desiccata

Molting clearance decides the size: at least three body lengths of height so the mantis can hang upside down and pull free. A short enclosure is the single most common cause of a failed molt.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Spiny flower mantis

Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii

Molting clearance decides the size: at least three body lengths of height so the mantis can hang upside down and pull free. A short enclosure is the single most common cause of a failed molt.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Budwing mantis

Parasphendale affinis

Molting clearance decides the size: at least three body lengths of height so the mantis can hang upside down and pull free. A short enclosure is the single most common cause of a failed molt.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Emperor scorpion

Pandinus imperator

Humid forest floor: deep moist substrate, heavy cover and a big water dish.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Asian Forest scorpion

Heterometrus spp.

Humid forest floor: deep moist substrate, heavy cover and a big water dish.

Adult: 18" L × 12" W × 9" H

Desert Hairy scorpion

Hadrurus arizonensis

Dry, hot-room enclosure with deep packed sand/soil for burrows or stacked slate crevices to wedge into.

Adult: 15" L × 10" W × 8" H

Flat Rock scorpion

Hadogenes troglodytes

Dry, hot-room enclosure with deep packed sand/soil for burrows or stacked slate crevices to wedge into.

Adult: 21" L × 14" W × 11" H

Deathstalker

Leiurus quinquestriatus

Dry, hot-room enclosure with deep packed sand/soil for burrows or stacked slate crevices to wedge into.

Adult: 9" L × 6" W × 6" H

Giant African millipede

Archispirostreptus gigas

The substrate is both home and diet: composting hardwood leaf litter and rotten wood over deep soil. Get the substrate right and the rest of the care is water and patience.

Adult: 20" L × 12" W × 12" H

Bumblebee millipede

Anadenobolus monilicornis

The substrate is both home and diet: composting hardwood leaf litter and rotten wood over deep soil. Get the substrate right and the rest of the care is water and patience.

Adult: 8" L × 8" W × 12" H

Ivory millipede

Chicobolus spinigerus

The substrate is both home and diet: composting hardwood leaf litter and rotten wood over deep soil. Get the substrate right and the rest of the care is water and patience.

Adult: 8" L × 8" W × 12" H

Vietnamese centipede

Scolopendra dehaani

Substrate depth is the enclosure. Give at least 10 in of packed burrowing mix — a fossorial species with shallow substrate sits exposed and stressed at the surface.

Adult: 16" L × 12" W × 16" H

Giant orange-legged centipede

Scolopendra subspinipes

Substrate depth is the enclosure. Give at least 10 in of packed burrowing mix — a fossorial species with shallow substrate sits exposed and stressed at the surface.

Adult: 16" L × 12" W × 16" H

Vinegaroon (whip scorpion)

Mastigoproctus giganteus

Substrate depth is the enclosure. Give at least 5 in of packed burrowing mix — a fossorial species with shallow substrate sits exposed and stressed at the surface.

Adult: 8" L × 6" W × 11" H

Tailless whip spider

Damon / Phrynus spp.

Height first. Arboreals build tube webs against vertical bark, so give them a tall enclosure with a slab to anchor to and only a couple of inches of substrate.

Adult: 9" L × 9" W × 18" H

Giant cave cockroach

Blaberus giganteus

Height first. Arboreals build tube webs against vertical bark, so give them a tall enclosure with a slab to anchor to and only a couple of inches of substrate.

Adult: 6" L × 6" W × 12" H

Rhino / Hercules beetle

Dynastes / Xylotrupes spp.

The substrate is both home and diet: composting hardwood leaf litter and rotten wood over deep soil. Get the substrate right and the rest of the care is water and patience.

Adult: 12" L × 8" W × 12" H

Colonies

Isopods

Cubaris / Porcellio / Armadillidium spp.

A ventilated bin run as a moisture gradient: one wet end, one dry end, hardwood leaf litter throughout, and cork or bark for surface area.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Dubia roaches

Blaptica dubia

A smooth-sided, well ventilated bin with vertical egg-crate stacks and a dry diet — moisture comes from produce, not from a wet substrate.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Discoid roaches

Blaberus discoidalis

A smooth-sided, well ventilated bin with vertical egg-crate stacks and a dry diet — moisture comes from produce, not from a wet substrate.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Red runner roaches

Shelfordella lateralis

A smooth-sided, well ventilated bin with vertical egg-crate stacks and a dry diet — moisture comes from produce, not from a wet substrate.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Hissing cockroaches

Gromphadorhina portentosa

A ventilated bin run as a moisture gradient: one wet end, one dry end, hardwood leaf litter throughout, and cork or bark for surface area.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Springtails

Folsomia candida / Sinella curviseta

A ventilated bin run as a moisture gradient: one wet end, one dry end, hardwood leaf litter throughout, and cork or bark for surface area.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Mealworms / superworms

Tenebrio molitor / Zophobas morio

A smooth-sided, well ventilated bin with vertical egg-crate stacks and a dry diet — moisture comes from produce, not from a wet substrate.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Crickets

Acheta domesticus / Gryllodes sigillatus

A smooth-sided, well ventilated bin with vertical egg-crate stacks and a dry diet — moisture comes from produce, not from a wet substrate.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Bean beetles

Callosobruchus maculatus

A smooth-sided, well ventilated bin with vertical egg-crate stacks and a dry diet — moisture comes from produce, not from a wet substrate.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Flightless fruit flies

Drosophila melanogaster / hydei

A ventilated bin run as a moisture gradient: one wet end, one dry end, hardwood leaf litter throughout, and cork or bark for surface area.

Adult: 24" L × 16" W × 12" H

Track the husbandry, not just read it

Apply any of these specs to an animal record, then log feedings, sheds, weights and cleanings against it. Start with the enclosure builder or the free rack builder.