Reptile & Amphibian Forums

With my herps in the past, it has always been terrestrial and aboreal habitat settings in glass or acrylic enclosures, and that has worked out okay and everything, BUT because of outside methods I have been studying, influence, and basing it on general knowlege I have changed thier habitats to plastic bins (for the most part). I know this sounds crazy, but my herps are all very happy ever since the change. I don't own as many herps now as I have before, but I have a newborn/juvie colony of crested geckos, an adult breeding colony of crested geckos, an adult breeding colony of high-end leopard geckos,and a "teenage" pair of red eyed croc skinks (proven sexes). Just wanted to pass along the info, in case anyone is interested.

I am not an authority on lizards, however, I do know that leopard geckos are ground-dwelling, fairly secretive animals. It is no surprise that they would be content in low-height caging that is not clear as glass. I bet the skinks feel the same way.

I know of a guy who has had a Cal king in a glass tank for 22 yrs. Another fellow has a rosyboa that is 23 yrs old kept in a tank with no hide spot. With this kind of longevity, it is obvious that glass tank vs plastic bin is not a huge issue. Glass does not offgas anything harmful. Plastic (the type used in storage boxes) does when heated, likely not enough to negatively affect anything though.

I don't have many herps anymore, just my rosyboas are the mainstay. I use glass tanks for them now, and I use plastic boxes for temporary caging only. What I like is that there is no "plastic" smell with glass. No wood chips either - just inert bedding materials like soil and rocks. I'll let you know in 20 yrs how they are doing lol.
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Mark