Can I Keep My Lizard In A 40 Gallon Reptile Tank?

A 40 gallon tank is a common size for reptile enclosures: can you keep your lizard or chameleon in a 40 gallon reptile tank? Effective chameleon care means getting all the aspects of their ideal habitat correct. Including the nutritional value of what you’re feeding your chameleons. As well as the size and contents of their reptile tank.

Reptile tanks are made in several, usually common sizes. A reptile tank can also be made according to your specifications. However, new chameleon owners usually aren’t sure which size their chameleon’s ideal tank should be.

Here’s what you should know about reptile care.

Can I Keep My Lizard in a 40 Gallon Reptile Tank?

Yes, you can keep your chameleon (which is technically a type of lizard) in a 40 gallon reptile tank.

However, it’s important to make sure they have enough heat, sufficient space, and access to their food.

Chameleons are smaller than many other reptiles that you could keep as pets. Generally, owners choose their tank size to match up with the size of their chameleon.

Smaller chameleons like the Pygmy chameleon might prefer a smaller tank. But would also be fine in a larger enclosure as long as it’s been carefully set up for their maximum care and comfort.

Which Lizards Can Be Kept in a 40 Gallon Reptile Tank?

Most chameleon species can be kept in a 40 gallon reptile tank.

However, juvenile chameleons and smaller varieties (like the Pygmy chameleon) might prefer smaller tanks than this.

If you are using a larger tank, make adaptations to the environment to refine their habitat. For example, make sure there are no cold spots within a larger tank. Make sure your chameleon has access to their food and water.

Other snakes and lizards can also be kept in 40 gallon tank, including the blue-tongued skink and corn snake.

However, it’s not advised to mix together different reptiles (including having two chameleons) in the same enclosure. Reptiles are territorial and might clash with others being kept in the same tank. Even when they’re being held in a larger enclosure.

Why Does a Reptile’s Tank Size Matter?

The world is just one large habitat, but chameleon owners will quickly notice something about their chameleons. This reptile type tends to stay close to smaller areas, and doesn’t have a particularly wide reach.

A reptile’s tank size matters for their ideal care, because their owner is creating a small environment where they have control over their chameleon’s habitat and conditions.

Chameleons can flourish in smaller tanks, but can also be kept in larger enclosures with enough care.

However, smaller tanks are often easier for owners to manage, clean, and move around.

A smaller tank can also be perfect for smaller chameleon types, like the Pygmy or Veiled chameleon.

Larger tanks can still be used to house chameleons, but owners should take the necessary care to ensure their chameleons have access to heat, water, and food.

What Measurements?

Reptile tanks or enclosures (also called reptariums) are generally measured by their volume, and those in the United States are more likely to measure theirs in gallons.

If you’re buying internationally, mind the conversion, or you might end up with something that’s instead measured in litres. Sometimes, measurements are also given in feet rather than inches.

What are the average measuremends of a 40 gallon tank?

According to Scale Companions, length varies between 36 to 48 inches, while its height could vary from between 16 to 20 inches. Width measurements for a 40 gallon tank might be between 18 to 24 inches on average.

When buying a tank for the first time, also consider where you’re going to put it, and make sure you measure this area. Leave at least a few inches around the sides, or the tank might be forced into a corner and difficult to set down in the first place.

What Are the Minimum Dimensions for a Reptile Tank?

The tank dimensions should always match up with the size of your chameleons.

According to Petshun, the recommended starting dimensions for a chameleon tank are 2 x 2 x 4 feet. The answer for ideal tank size can still be different depending on which chameleon type you intend to keep, and how much space you have around the tank or enclosure.

If you notice your chameleons sticking to one side of the tank, then their enclosure might be too large for them.

However, a reptile enclosure can also be too small for chameleons, common when owners acquired their chameleons as smaller babies. Sometimes your tank should grow with your chameleons.

Can a Reptile Tank Be Too Small?

Yes, sometimes a reptile tank can be too small for your chameleon.

Signs of a smaller enclosure could mean that your chameleon roams around less than they should.

A less active chameleon could indicate that they need to be moved to a larger tank, or might also mean that there are other health issues you should address.

Can a Reptile Tank Be Too Large?

Sometimes a reptile tank can also be too large for your chameleon’s best health.

Larger enclosure can work perfectly fine for some chameleons. But might also have drawbacks making larger tanks harder for owners to manage, clean, or control.

A larger tank could sometimes lead to ineffective temperature control, leaving cold spots where the heat doesn’t quite reach.

Just like smaller tanks, a larger tank could mean that your chameleon doesn’t get around the enclosure as much as they’re supposed to. If their activity level changes, it might have something to do with the size of their tank.

Conclusion: Setting Up Your Chameleon’s Tank

Setting up your chameleon’s tank for the first time shouldn’t be difficult or worrisome, even if this is your first time trying to do it.

A chameleon’s tank should contain enough plants and twigs for them to move around on, along with easy access to water, food, and heat.

Browse through more of our posts for the best chameleon care tips, including how to set up your chameleon’s tank.