All reptiles require an enclosure that makes the animal feels safe and comfortable, this is achieved by providing the correct amounts of hides and creating the right temperature\humidity environment. Hides are essential for your reptile, these give somewhere the lizard feels safe and secure they can move to if required. Its very important to provide a hide big enough for you reptile to get into without being seen or in the case of an enclosure with multiple lizard one big enough for either all occupants to get in, however it would be better to provide a number of hides around the enclosure. Failure to provide a retreat is often a cause of stress and maladaptation of nervous individuals to captivity and can also lead to many health problems. 

In opposition to the traditional wooden vivarium, glass tanks prove to be more sterile and easy to clean, as they do not harbour moisture or bacteria. However, Lizards can become distressed by their own reflection and thus putting a background around three sides of the tank would prevent this occurring and make the Lizards feel more secure and safe. In addition it is absolutely essential to use the correct size enclosure, not too small or too big. This can be exemplified through an adult Bearded Dragon requiring an enclosure around 36 inches (91cm) in length and 24 inches (60cm) in width, however, this size could cause one or two smaller, baby Bearded Dragons unnecessary stress and would be better suited to a smaller 18 inches (45cm) by 15 inches (38cm) home for the first 6 months. In short, the enclosure should increase in relation to the Lizard, or Reptiles, growth. Height of the enclosure should also be contemplated as tree-liking and arboreal Lizards, or Reptiles, would prefer height to width or length, in comparison to land-lovers.

A further issue to be considered is the health and safety of your Lizard, or Reptile.

• When using thermostats and lighting equipment all wires should be out of reach and suitable screens used to prevent any possible contact, especially with Snakes and arboreal Lizards.

• The use of a thermometer, and humidity gauge if required, as essential for monitoring the animals' environment and insuring the correct conditions.

• The correct conditions, or habitat, should also be maintained in the enclosure. For example desert living Reptiles will prefer arid, sandy conditions to humid surroundings with lots of ventilation.

You can buy custom made wood vivarium enclosures at Lizardlinks UK

Please click on the item below for more information.

This is a document containing detailed information about the Different types of reptile environments you can create.

This is a document containing detailed information about the requirements of a typical lizard enclosure.

Desert Reptiles

Environment

Desert Reptiles thrive in environments similar to their natural habitat. Therefore, enclosures should be arid, with the exception of a water bowl, and free from high levels of humidity. A dry temperature between 85-110 ° F (29-43 ° C) as well as high lighting levels should also be maintained. This naturalistic layout, apart from benefiting the Reptile, also provides an aesthetic appeal.

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Heating and Lighting

When designing an enclosure for any Reptile it is essential to ensure that all temperature and lighting requirements are met. All Reptiles are cold blooded and require the sun to warm their bodies up to the correct temperature, however, in captivity this is not always possible and thus lighting that provides adequate daylight and heat is required. Bulbs for daylight need to have the correct levels of both UVA and UVB rays, it is therefore necessary to research into the requirements for the particular Reptile you are interested in obtaining alongside the different types of bulbs that are available on the market. The same advice also goes with heat bulbs.

An infrared bulb that is ideal for maintaining the temperature of around 110 ° F (43 ° C) during the day and 70 ° F (21 ° C) through the night without the need for a separate day and night heat bulb as Lizards are unable to see the colour red. A 24 inch (60cm) ‘Exo-Terra Repti-Glo 8.0 Desert Terrarium Lamp' is also used to provide the correct amount of daylight requirements. The bulb uses 33% UVA wavelengths essential for stimulating appetite, activity and reproductive behaviour and 8% UVB wavelengths for promoting Vitamin D3 synthesis vital for bone growth.

An example of Lights on the market that could be used for desert reptiles

Decoration

Some desert Reptiles, like the Bearded Dragon, also live in arid scrubland and thus the addition of logs and rocks provide the ideal natural materials for Reptiles to climb and hide around. These forms of features also improve the psychological well being of Reptiles as they are less aware of their restriction.

Substrate

Despite desert Lizards and Reptiles living in naturally sandy conditions much contention has been raised over the best form of substrate to use. Whilst play or reptile sand was previously used within my enclosures some concern over the digestive problems this can cause when swallowed was highlighted by a number of sources. With this in mind slates or textured floor tiles have been adopted as substrate providing a rockier terrain then previously experienced without the worry of digestives problems. The tiles work great as a substrate for some lizards and are much easier to clean and maintain, however tiles are not suitable for all lizard, as some lizards and reptiles will hide and sleep under the sand. Research should be done to find what works best for your Reptile. I still use sand for my swifts as these like to burry under the sand, but unlike bearded dragon swifts tend not to taste their environment.

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You can buy custom made decor for your enclosures at Lizardlinks UK

Woodland & Rain Forests

Environment

In contrast to desert landscapes are woodland and rainforest enclosures that incorporate much more vegetation into their set up. However, it is important to note that woodland set ups are less humid then those of the rainforests. A humidity gauge is, therefore, essential to the monitoring of these climates and proves useful in determining the quantity and frequency of water sprays. Due to the variation it is essential that the requirements for the Reptile in question be extensively researched before purchasing.

These lizards or reptiles, require a humidity level of around 50-70%. This is achieved by spraying the enclosure one or two times a day with boiled water that has been chilled to room temperature, but depends on the current humidity level. Spraying also provides enough condensation and moisture for lizards to drink as some lizards dislike water dishes.

Rain Forest setups

Woodland setups

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Heating and Lighting

All Reptiles are cold blooded and require the sun to warm their bodies up to the correct temperature, however, in captivity this is not always possible and thus lighting that provides adequate daylight and heat is required. Bulbs for daylight need to have the correct levels of both UVA and UVB rays, it is therefore necessary to research into the requirements for the particular Reptile you are interested in obtaining alongside the different types of bulbs that are available on the market. The same advice also goes with heat bulbs.

Decoration

Arboreal Reptiles, like Green Anoles, live within the trees and, therefore, requires a variety of branches, logs and live plants to maintain a naturalistic habitat. These in turn provide hiding places and plenty of material to climb. It is important to make sure that live plants used are not toxic and researching in to recommended species is advised.

Substrate

As this setup is most commonly required by arboreal Reptiles the time spent at ground level will probably be very limited and in these circumstances substrate becomes much less important then the features that provide the ability to climb. However, a water retaining substrate like moss is ideal as it assists in maintaining humidity levels in comparison to wood chips. Placing plants on the ground also aids in giving the impression of being higher within the tree canopy. There are many ways to setup woodland and rain forest enclosures and it is recommended that research into specific requirements for particular Reptiles is made before purchasing.

Cleaning

Its important the enclosure is spot cleaned and the feces removed straight away to stop any bacteria growing. Depending on the substrate you use there are a couple of ways to spot clean the enclosure. If the substrate is tiles these can be removed and washed with hot water and some reptile disinfectant. If you use a loose substrate, you can just pick up the dried feces with a paper towel or sieve. The substrate should be changed every month or so, making sure everything in the enclosure including the enclosure itself is washed with a proper reptile disinfectant and the substrate if loose replaced, this will kill any fungus and bacteria which may be present, as well as removing pest such as mites.

A great deal of thought must go into a reptile's captive environment. The type of environment it needs will be based on how big the animal gets, how the animal lives in the wild, how it gets water, and its climate requirements. In other words, the captive habitat must contain the key elements of the reptile's habitat in the wild.

When you go on holiday its important you find someone to look after your reptiles and small animals. A company like Lizardlinks UK who specialises in small animal & reptile boarding they are located in Southend on Sea in Essex.

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