The 5 Top Snake Terrariums for Your Pet

When it comes to keeping snakes, reptiles, and other small pets, the cage you purchase for them is vital. After all, it is where they will be spending most of their time. Therefore, when you’re looking for a snake terrarium, your choice matters a lot.

Surprisingly, most snakes do not need a very large enclosure – even if they are a bit larger. They are usually not terribly active. In fact, some snakes actually do better in smaller enclosures, as they tend to get stressed when provided with lots of room.

Of course, the exact size is species-specific. You will need to consider which type of snake you have or are adopting. Below, we’ve reviewed five different terrariums of various sizes to help you find the best option for your snake.

1. Best Overall: REPTI ZOO Glass Reptile Terrarium with Screen Ventilation

For most snakes, this longer terrarium is a great option. It is very efficient with its space usage since most snakes spend their time on the ground. It has a top screen to allow for UVB light and infrared to pass through, which is essential for the health of many snakes.

Furthermore, this terrarium includes a waterproof bottom so that you can add a substrate heater underneath. Not all snakes need a substrate heater, but this is a great option for those that do.

The front door slides easier to allow for quick access to your snake. Furthermore, it locks securely so that you don’t have to worry about your snake getting loose.

Extra screens on the side allow for ventilation, though this may not be great for snakes that need high humidity. Closable inlets allow you to run wires and tubes through the tank as necessary. However, you can close these inlets to prevent escapes.

2. Best Budget: HerpCult Acrylic Clear-Top Reptile Habitat

This smaller snack terrarium is only 8.3 gallons, but it will likely do just fine for smaller snakes. It features a one-click sliding door with strong magnetic snaps. An escaped snake is the last thing you want, and this habitat helps ensure that doesn’t happen.

The whole tank is clear, allowing you to see your snake from all sides. Despite this, the whole tank is waterproof and can be used with a heating pad. It is acrylic – not glass.

Plus, small holes around the tank helps ensure proper ventilation, while also keeping your snake secure. The cross-ventilation design is perfect for snakes that need a bit more airflow, such as those in humid habitats.

The holes are only along the top of the tank. Therefore, you’re free to add substrate along the bottom without worrying about it falling out.

3. Premium Terrarium: OiiBO Glass Screen Reptile Terrarium

For those that want a larger terrarium, you may want to try this one by OiiBO. It is extremely long, which works well for most snakes. (Climbing snakes won’t find this tank suitable, though.)

It offers a screen top to allow UVB rays to pass through, as well as infrared. Plus, the screen provides plenty of ventilation to prevent mold growth and common snake illnesses.

Each front door slides separately, making accessing your snake easy. You can choose which side of the habitat you would like to access without opening up the whole tank. This feature is great when you’re feeding your snake and trying to prevent escapes.

A lock on the front keeps the doors closed. The snake can’t get out with the lock engaged, and the lock helps keep children out.

4. Best Snake Starter Kit: Zilla Tropical Reptile Terrarium Starter Kit

If you’re just now starting out as a snake owner, this terrarium starter kit may be suitable for you. It includes a terrarium and a light. A substrate liner, heated mat, gauge, and set-up guide are all included. With all these items, you’re very close to having a complete enclosure for your snake.

The only thing it doesn’t include is decorations, which you’ll need to pick up depending on the type of snake you purchase.

The humidity and temperature gauge included will help ensure that your environment is set up properly. Plus, we love that there is a basking light and a heating mat included, which allows you to adjust the tank to fit your exact snake.

Everything is also made in the USA.

5. Best for Climbing Snakes: Zilla Tropical Vertical Starter Kit

For snakes that climb, you need a vertical kit like this one. It has a tank that is taller than it is wide, which allows you to install plants and climbing structures. Most snakes that fit into this category are tropical.

As a kit, this tank comes with many of the items you need to care for your snake. For instance, it comes with a temperature and humidity gauge to ensure that the environment is correct for your snake, as well as a heating lamp. You should ensure that all of the contents are suitable for your particular snake species. Don’t assume they are just because they came in a kit.

The terrarium itself comes with a screen top to allow UVB light to pass through. The front panel opens so that you don’t have to mess with the light when accessing your snake.

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

There are several factors to consider when choosing a snake terrarium. Not every terrarium is suitable for every snake, so a lot depends on your snake’s species. Size, material, ventilation, and access are all vital.

Let’s have a look at each aspect in turn:

Size

Snakes are unique in that they often don’t need a huge enclosure. Most do not move very much (though there are exceptions). In fact, some breeders claim that snakes actually feel more secure when their tanks are smaller.

You should pay attention to the size recommendations of the particular species you’re purchasing. Ensure that you purchase a terrarium within these recommendations.

Also, be sure that you consider whether your terrarium needs to be vertical or horizontal. Vertical terrariums are best for climbing snakes, while horizontal ones are suitable for ground snakes.

Material

The material of the terrarium needs to be strong enough to hold everything inside the habitat. Glass and acrylic is quite common, as it also provides visibility.

With that said, glass and acrylic are not usually suitable for the top of the habitat. These materials block UVB light, which most snakes need from their heating lamp.

Ventilation

Most snakes need proper ventilation to stay healthy. Still, muggy air promotes mold growth, which can be dangerous to our reptiles (and us). Therefore, choose a terrarium that features a mesh top or includes ventilation holes on the sides.

Access

You need adequate access to the inside of the tank to feed your reptile, check on them, and set up the habitat. We prefer hinged doors on the front for access. While sliding tops are fine as well, you will need to move the heating lamp every time you pull off the top.

After a bit, this can get annoying, and it prevents fast access should you need it.

The Different Types of Snake Terrariums: Pros and Cons Compared

When choosing a terrarium for your snake, there are several different types you need to keep in mind. There is not a particular terrarium type that is better than another. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Terrariums are made in glass, wood, or PVC usually.

Let’s take a look at each type individually:

• Glass: Glass terrariums are heavy and often more expensive. They have a high aesthetic quality and are usually used to display animals.
• Wood: Wood is inexpensive and works well for reptiles that need lots of humidity. However, you must take care that the wood is non-toxic and safe for your reptile.
• PVC: This inexpensive material is strong and flexible, so it is usually used in larger terrariums. Of course, you cannot see through it, so it isn’t best for displaying the animal.

Glass

Pros	Cons
Usually has a front-facing door	Expensive
Allows for overhead lighting	Heavy
Easily ventilated	Doesn’t hold in moisture well
Essentially escape-proof	See-through walls can be a source of stress
Watertight (usually)	Shatters if damaged
Allows for a temperature gradient	Only available in small to medium sizes
Aesthetic
Easy to wipe clean
Allows for easy viewing

Wood

Pros	Cons
Budget-friendly	Usually not well-ventilated
Not terribly heavy	May retain too much heat
Can accommodate front-facing doors	Doesn’t allow a temperature gradient
Retains humidity	May rot
Can be used with overhead lighting	No usually waterproof
Essentially escape-resistant	Attractiveness varies
Come in a range of sizes	Flammable
Customizable in some cases
Can stack

PVC

Pros	Cons
Can be made with front-facing doors	Can be expensive
Not extremely heavy	Does not ventilate well
Escape-resistant	Can hold heat, impacting the thermal gradient
Can be customized	May lose its shape overtime
Long-lasting	Not as escape-proof as other options
Resistant to humidity
Stackable
Easy to wipe clean
Available in many sizes

Verified Review: Users’ Experience

While users were often a bit unsure of purchasing glass online, it typically arrived “intact.” Many enclosures did require some assembly. However, many of them “assembled easily.”

Users particularly liked that the Repti Zoo Glass Reptile Terrarium had “interchangeable screens” which means that they can “adjust ventilation as needed anytime.” Different snakes need a different amount of airflow, so this is always a plus.

While many users found the Repti Zoo Glass Reptile Terrarium to be “perfect,” it does depend on what type of snake you have and your current needs.

For instance, some preferred the Herpcult tank, as the “magnets are really strong” and the “lid fits right.” While the lid is only held on by magnets, users found the lid keeps small children out, as it does require some muscle to open.

With that said, Herpcult is not a big name and some found that it needs quality control. A number of their tanks were reported to be damaged. While this isn’t a huge deal in some cases since their tanks are so cheap, it is something to keep in mind.