The smallest enclosure each vet and welfare source gives for one adult, or for the pair or group a social pet lives in, with temperatures. Where sources differ, take the bigger size: it’s the safe side.
Minimum enclosure, temperatures and UVB by pet
Minimum enclosure size chart
| Pet | Source | Minimum | Worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leopard gecko | RVC | 36 x 18 x 18 in | 91.4 x 45.7 x 45.7 cm |
| Leopard gecko | RSPCA | 60 x 30 x 40 cm | 23.6 x 11.8 x 15.7 in |
| Leopard gecko | VCA | 10 gal, 6 in high | 37.9 L |
| Bearded dragon | RVC | 48 x 24 x 24 in | 121.9 x 61 x 61 cm |
| Bearded dragon | RSPCA | 120 x 60 x 60 cm | 47.2 x 23.6 x 23.6 in |
| Bearded dragon | RSPCA Australia | 1.2–1.8 x 0.6 x 0.6–0.9 m | |
| Bearded dragon | VCA | 60–100 gal+, 16 in wide | |
| Bearded dragon | NSW code | 0.75 x 0.5 m floor | |
| Crested gecko | RSPCA | 45 x 45 x 60 cm | 17.7 x 17.7 x 23.6 in |
| Crested gecko | RVC | 45 x 45 x 60 cm | 17.7 x 17.7 x 23.6 in |
| Ball python | RSPCA | Snake's length x 1/3 x 1/3 | 150 x 50 x 50 cm (59.1 x 19.7 x 19.7 in) for a 150 cm snake |
| Ball python | RVC | 48 x 24 x 24 in | 121.9 x 61 x 61 cm |
| Corn snake | RSPCA | Snake's length x 1/3 x 1/3 | 150 x 50 x 50 cm (59.1 x 19.7 x 19.7 in) for a 150 cm snake |
| Corn snake | RVC | 48 x 24 x 24 in | 121.9 x 61 x 61 cm |
| Western hognose | RVC | 36 x 18 x 18 in | 91.4 x 45.7 x 45.7 cm |
| Horsfield's tortoise | RVC | Open-top table, as big as possible | |
| Horsfield's tortoise | BCG | 10 m² outdoor pen | |
| Red-eared slider | RSPCA | Good size: 80 L per 5 cm shell | |
| Red-eared slider | VCA | 10 gal water per inch of shell | |
| Axolotl | Unusual Pet Vets | 78 L (20 gal) adult | 20.6 gal |
| Pacman frog | Yarmouth Vet Center | 10–20 gal adult | |
| African dwarf frog | Habitat-OS care sheet | 24 x 12 x 12 in adult | 61 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm |
| Tarantula | RVC | Height up to its body length | |
| Land hermit crab | Unusual Pet Vets | 38 L per crab (Australian) | 10 gal each |
| Land hermit crab | Aliso Beach Animal Clinic | 20 gal+ for two | 75.7 L |
| Land hermit crab | Zubair Khalid, DVM (personal site) | 40 L for two, +20 L each | 10.6 gal |
Sizes as each source gives them. RVC’s figures are mostly in inches, RSPCA’s in centimeters; the NSW code is a legal minimum for licensed keepers in New South Wales, measured outside.
| Pet | Basking or warm | Cool end | Night | UVB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leopard gecko | 28–30 RSPCA; 32 RVC | 24–26 RSPCA; 25 RVC | 20+ RVC | 2–5% RSPCA; 6% RVC |
| Bearded dragon | 38–42 RSPCA; 35–40 RVC | 22–26 RSPCA; 25 RVC | 20–22 RSPCA; 20 RVC | 10–12%, UVI 3–5 |
| Crested gecko | 26–28 RSPCA; 28 RVC | 20–24 RSPCA; 25 RVC | 18–20 RSPCA; 20 RVC | 5–7% RSPCA; 6% RVC |
| Ball python | 30–32 RSPCA; 32 RVC | 24–26 RSPCA; 24 RVC | 24+ RVC | 2–7%, UVI 1.0 |
| Corn snake | 28–30 RSPCA; 30 RVC | 20–24 RSPCA | 16–20 RSPCA; 24 RVC | 2–7%, UVI 1.0 |
| Western hognose | 30–32 RVC | Not given | 20–25 RVC | 6% RVC |
| Horsfield's tortoise | 35 RVC | 20–25 RVC | 18–20 RVC | 10–12% RVC |
| Red-eared slider | 30–35 RSPCA; 32 RVC | Water 22–25 RSPCA; 24–26 RVC | Water 20+ RVC | 7–12%, UVI 3–5 |
| Axolotl | Not given | Water 16–18 RVC; 17–18 UPV | Never over 24 RVC | None RVC |
| Pacman frog | Day 24–28 | Not given | 21–22 | Not required |
| African dwarf frog | Not given | Water 22–26 (72–78 °F) | Water 20–22 (68–72 °F) | Not required |
| White's tree frog | 30 RVC | 25 RVC | 21+ RVC | Low output RVC |
| Tarantula | 23–30, room heat | Not given | Not given | Not needed RVC |
| Regal jumping spider | Room 21–26 (70–78 °F) | Not given | Not given | Light cycle |
| Land hermit crab | Warm area 27 (80 °F); 26–32 Aus. | A cooler area | Not given | Not given |
UPV: The Unusual Pet Vets. Pacman frog figures are Yarmouth Veterinary Center’s, given in °F (75–82 °F by day, 70–72 °F at night). Hermit crab: a warm area around 80 °F (27 °C) and a cooler one (Aliso Beach Animal Clinic); 26–32 °C from a heat mat on the outside back wall for the Australian species (UPV).
| Pet | Source | Minimum | Worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betta, one male | OATA | 20 L | 5.3 gal |
| Betta, one male | RSPCA Australia | 20 L ideal, 10 L least | 5.3 gal |
| Betta, one male | Univ. of Illinois vet | 5 gal | 18.9 L |
| Goldfish | OATA | 100 L + 50 L per extra adult | 26.4 gal |
| Goldfish | RSPCA | 60 L each | 15.9 gal each |
| Goldfish | RSPCA Australia | 50 L tank | 13.2 gal |
| Guppies | OATA | 45 L small group | 11.9 gal |
| Angelfish | OATA | 120 L a pair, +40 L per adult past it | 31.7 gal |
| Angelfish | OATA | 300 L larger species | |
| Cherry shrimp | OATA | 10 L per group | 2.6 gal |
OATA is the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association. Goldfish: OATA adds 50 liters for each extra adult; RSPCA asks for 60 liters for each fish. Angelfish: OATA’s 120 liters is for a pair; when stocking, it allows 40 liters per adult.
| Pet | Water | Heater |
|---|---|---|
| Betta, one male | 24–26 RSPCA Aus.; 20–28 OATA; 24–27 Illinois | Needed |
| Goldfish | 4–25 OATA; 10–21 RSPCA; 20–24 RSPCA Aus. | Not normally |
| Guppies | 20–28 OATA; 22–28 RSPCA | Needed |
| Angelfish | 22–27 OATA (cichlids) | Needed |
| Cherry shrimp | 17–27 OATA (shrimp) | Some species |
| Pet | Source | Minimum | Worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syrian hamster | Woodgreen | 100 x 50 x 50 cm | 39.4 x 19.7 x 19.7 in |
| Syrian hamster | PDSA | 100 x 50 cm floor | 39.4 x 19.7 in |
| Syrian hamster | VCA | 10 gal tank | 37.9 L |
| Dwarf hamster | Woodgreen | 100 x 50 x 40 cm | 39.4 x 19.7 x 15.7 in |
| Dwarf hamster | PDSA | 100 x 50 cm floor | 39.4 x 19.7 in |
| Dwarf hamster | VCA | 10 gal tank | 37.9 L |
| Guinea pigs | Woodgreen | 2 females: 153 x 61 cm | 5 x 2 ft |
| Guinea pigs | Woodgreen | 2 males: 182 x 61 cm | 6 x 2 ft |
| Guinea pigs | Woodgreen | 3: 182 x 61 cm | 6 x 2 ft |
| Guinea pigs | RSPCA Australia | 2: 1 m², 30 cm high | 10.8 sq ft, 11.8 in high |
| Guinea pigs | MSD manual | 7 sq ft + 2–4 each | 0.65 m² + 0.19–0.37 m² each |
| Guinea pigs | Woodgreen | Run 182 x 122 cm | 6 ft x 4 ft x 18 in |
| Rabbits (pair) | RSPCA | 3 x 2 x 1 m | 9.8 x 6.6 x 3.3 ft |
| Rabbits (pair) | RWAF | 3 x 2 x 1 m | 9.8 x 6.6 x 3.3 ft |
| Rabbits (pair) | Scottish SPCA | 3 x 2 x 1 m | 9.8 x 6.6 x 3.3 ft |
| Rabbits (pair) | Woodgreen | 3 x 2 x 1 m run | 9.8 x 6.6 x 3.3 ft |
| Rabbits (pair) | MSD manual | 18 x 24 to 30 x 36 in | 46 x 61 to 76 x 91 cm |
| Gerbils | Woodgreen | 2: 100 x 50 x 50 cm | 39.4 x 19.7 x 19.7 in |
| Gerbils | Woodgreen | 3: 120 x 50 x 50 cm | 47.2 x 19.7 x 19.7 in |
| Gerbils | RSPCA | About 50 cm high | 19.7 in high |
| Gerbils | MSD manual | 5 gal each | 18.9 L each |
| Gerbils | VCA | 10 gal tank | 37.9 L |
| Chinchilla | RVC | 2 x 2 x 1 m | 6.6 x 6.6 x 3.3 ft |
| Chinchilla | VCA | 1: 3 x 2 x 3 ft | 91 x 61 x 91 cm |
| Chinchilla | VCA | 1: 4 x 4 x 3 ft | 122 x 122 x 91 cm |
| Chinchilla | VCA | 2: 3 x 2 x 5 ft | 91 x 61 x 152 cm |
| Ferret | RVC | 2: 1.5 x 1 x 1 m | 4.9 x 3.3 x 3.3 ft |
| Ferret | MSD manual | 1: 3 x 3 x 2 ft | 91 x 91 x 61 cm |
| Ferret | VCA | 1: 24 x 24 x 18 in | 60 x 60 x 45 cm |
| African pygmy hedgehog | MSD manual | 2 x 3 ft floor | 0.6 x 0.9 m |
| Sugar gliders | RVC | 2 x 2 x 2 m | 6.6 x 6.6 x 6.6 ft |
| Sugar gliders | MSD manual | 24 x 36 x 36 in | 61 x 91 x 91 cm |
A number before the size is how many animals it’s for. Woodgreen and RWAF are UK pet charities; MSD is the MSD (Merck) Veterinary Manual, whose hedgehog size is from its professional edition.
| Pet | Temperature | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Syrian hamster | 18–21 PDSA; 18–26 RVC | Alone |
| Dwarf hamster | 18–21 PDSA; 18–26 RVC | Alone safest; pairs split |
| Guinea pigs | 17–20 RSPCA; 20–22 RVC | 2 or more |
| Rabbits (pair) | 10–20 RSPCA | A rabbit companion |
| Gerbils | 20–24 RSPCA; 16–21 RVC | 2 or more; VCA: adults alone |
| Chinchilla | 10–18 RSPCA; 10–20 RVC | 2 or more; VCA: 1 or 2 |
| Ferret | 15–24 SSPCA; 18–23 MSD | 2 or more |
| African pygmy hedgehog | 24–30 RVC; 24–29 MSD | Alone |
| Sugar gliders | 24–27 RVC; 27–31 MSD | 2 or more |
SSPCA: Scottish SPCA. Dwarf hamsters: RSPCA and RVC say some can share, PDSA and Woodgreen keep them alone.
| Bird | Source | Minimum | Worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budgie | MSD manual | 20 x 20 x 30 in | 51 x 51 x 76 cm |
| Budgie | VCA | 1 x 1 x 2 ft | 30 x 30 x 60 cm |
| Budgie | RVC | Wings stretched, at least | |
| Cockatiel | VCA | 2 x 2 x 3 ft each | 60 x 60 x 90 cm |
| Cockatiel | MSD manual | 20 x 20 x 30 in | 51 x 51 x 76 cm |
| Cockatiel | RVC | Wings stretched, at least | |
| Lovebirds | VCA | 2 x 2 x 3 ft | 60 x 60 x 90 cm |
| Lovebirds | MSD manual | 20 x 20 x 30 in | 51 x 51 x 76 cm |
| Lovebirds | MSD manual | 1.5 x wingspan each way | |
| Finches | VCA | 18 x 18 x 30 in | 45 x 45 x 76 cm |
| Finches | VCA | 1 x 1 x 2 ft | 30 x 30 x 60 cm |
| Canary | VCA | 1 x 1 x 2 ft | 30 x 30 x 60 cm |
| Canary | RVC | Wings stretched, at least | |
| Canary | RSPCA | 2 x wingspan each way |
Length x width x height. The MSD manual is the MSD (Merck) Veterinary Manual; its wingspan rule is from its page for bird owners. VCA gives its own metric sizes.
| Bird | Bars | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Budgie | 0.5 in (MSD manual) | A pair, ideally |
| Cockatiel | 0.5 in (MSD manual) | A pair, ideally |
| Lovebirds | 0.5 in (MSD manual) | Pairs or groups |
| Finches | Head can’t fit through | Other finches |
| Canary | Head can’t fit through | Can share |
Bars: the MSD manual’s spacing in inches; RSPCA Australia’s mesh for birds of 20 to 80 g, and the rule that a bird can’t fit its head between the bars.
whatdopetsneed.com
How to read it
- Minimum: as the source gives it, length x width (front to back) x height for an enclosure, or the volume for a tank. Worked out is the same size in centimeters, inches, liters or gallons.
- Temperatures: in °C, with the source after each figure. RSPCA mostly gives ranges and RVC mostly single figures. A + means “not below”.
- UVB: the lamp strength as a percentage, and the UV index (UVI) RSPCA gives for the basking spot.
Snakes grow into their minimum: for royal pythons and corn snakes, RSPCA asks for a vivarium at least as long as the snake, with a third of its length for width and height. A tank’s gallon label doesn’t give its floor size, so check a tank by its length, width and height with the enclosure size checker.
No source we read gives a minimum size for White's tree frog or regal jumping spider. Hermit crab sizes come from Aliso Beach Animal Clinic (mainly the Caribbean species most US stores sell), a vet’s personal site, and The Unusual Pet Vets (the Australian species).
Small pets that live in pairs or groups, such as guinea pigs, gerbils and rabbits, have sizes for the pair or group, as the row says. For guinea pigs, the MSD manual adds 2–4 sq ft for each extra animal. VCA’s 10 gallon tank for a hamster and the MSD manual’s small rabbit cages are far below the UK charities’ sizes. The enclosure size checker takes cage sizes too.
Bird cage sizes are for one bird. The MSD manual makes a cage for more than one bird bigger still, and RSPCA adds 5% for each extra bird under 50 g past the first two, or 10% for birds of 50 to 100 g. VCA’s finch page asks for more than its small bird page, and where a source gives a rule by the bird’s wingspan instead of a size, the chart shows the rule. Bar spacing for each bird is on bird cage bar spacing.