Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi i am new to lizards and have 2 questions
1) Can a tank ever be to big for any lizard like if i got a 55g reptile tank would it be bad to house a single say gecko because they are small or anole. Because i am looking at getting a huge tank with maybe a crested gecko, but will only be buying them one at a time starting with one for probably a year to learn how to take proper care of it.
2) I have heard that lizards are like fish and only grow the size they can properly in a tank saying if you got an iguana when it was very small and put it in a 20 gallon tank it would never outgrow the tank were as it could live in it for ever maybe not properly but wouldn't say get that 3 feet or whatever because that would be larger than the tank. I of course want plenty of room for my lizard but was just wondering if they only grow to the appropriate size of the tank.

Bigger is always Better, BUT very tiny baby lizards find it difficult to hunt in such a large home.

So if you get hatchlings it is better to start them in a smaller sized area where they can thrive and find food.

Then as they grow, move up to the larger tank, where they will certainly use the extra space and do VERY well in their NEW Luxury home.

Best wishes with what ever you decide on.

Let us know, and by all means post some pics!
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PHEve/ Eve

Contact PHEve

"1) Can a tank ever be to big for any lizard like if i got a 55g reptile tank would it be bad to house a single say gecko because they are small or anole. Because i am looking at getting a huge tank with maybe a crested gecko, but will only be buying them one at a time starting with one for probably a year to learn how to take proper care of it."

Usually with lizards, bigger is better, but there are exceptions. Some lizards do prefer to have smaller, more enclosed spaces in order to feel safer. But I have no experience with crested geckos, so I cant help you out there.

"2) I have heard that lizards are like fish and only grow the size they can properly in a tank saying if you got an iguana when it was very small and put it in a 20 gallon tank it would never outgrow the tank were as it could live in it for ever maybe not properly but wouldn't say get that 3 feet or whatever because that would be larger than the tank. I of course want plenty of room for my lizard but was just wondering if they only grow to the appropriate size of the tank."

That is completely false, although I too have heard that before. Lizards will grow to an adult size no matter the cage size.

Good luck with whatever kind of lizard you get. If you have questions pertaining specifically to cresties, you can post them in the crested gecko forum. Theyll be able to help you out.
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-Ryan

"Are you feeling stupid? I know I sure am."
-Homer Simpson