| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Glass Terrarium |
| Best 50-Gallon Tank | REPTI ZOO 50 Gallon Glass Terrarium |
| Best 30-Gallon | Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium Kit |
| Best 20-Gallon Tank | Exo Terra Short All Glass Terrarium |
Key Points
- The #1 Overall Best snake tank is the REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium.
- When purchasing a snake tank, there are several important factors to consider, such as the size of the tank (it’s likely bigger than you think!), how to accomodate external heat sources, the safety and security of the tank (snakes are natural-born escape artists!), and how much ventilation the tank provides.
- Whether you’re after a terrarium, vivarium, or aquarium, it pays to do the research before selecting the right tank for your reptile. Our comprehensive reviews of quality brands will help you decide which one is right for you and your snake.
Are you thinking of getting a pet snake? Or perhaps you already have one. Whatever your current situation is, having the proper tank for these reptiles is essential to their health and happiness. Just like you would for a cat, a dog, or even yourself, a snake’s home has to be comfortable with plenty of room for them to move around.
Not only do tanks provide an aesthetically pleasing display, but they also provide safety and security for the animals. The larger tanks can offer enough space for them to move around and explore without the worry of escape. Snake tanks come in a variety of sizes and shapes, making it easy to find one that fits your aesthetic needs while providing your snake with the space they need. Depending on the type of snake you have, you may also need special equipment for the tank, such as a heating pad or a pond.
During our research for the best snake tanks available on the market, we’ve found a lot of important information for snake owners and potential snake owners. Our guide and in-depth review will look at important things to consider, like what your tank should be made out of, the pros and cons of the different types of snake tanks, and more. Let’s get started with our overall best choice for your slithering friend’s new home!
- REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Glass Terrarium
- Easy to assemble
- Folds flat when not in use
- Double-hinged doors make feeding time a snap
- A secure locking system means no escapees
- Raised bottom for heating pad
- REPTI ZOO 50 Gallon Glass Terrarium
- Double-hinged doors provide easy access to your pet and clean the tank
- The waterproof bottom keeps pets dry
- Built-in windows provide ample ventilation
- The tough mesh top protects your pet while allowing necessary UVB and infrared light through
- Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium Kit
- Safe, secure terrarium
- Ideal for snakes 2.5-4 feet long
- Great for ball pythons
- Front window provides great ventilation
- Double doors make feeding time easy
- Exo Terra Short All Glass Terrarium
- Great for snakes up to 2.5 feet long
- Double doors make it easy to clean and transfer your pet
- Detachable screen
- Specially-designed lock ensure doors stay shut
Top Picks: The Best Snake Tanks Today
#1 Overall Best: REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium
When it comes to our top choice, the REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium takes the cake. As you can tell by the size, this tank is a great potential home for almost any snake, bearded dragon, or other fun creature. It measures 36 inches by 24 inches by 18 inches.
One reason we chose this specific tank is that it’s incredibly simple to assemble. It is also simple and easy to take apart and stores flat if you end up moving or need to store it for a time. However, a few customers did report that the tank was a bit harder to assemble than they expected.
You’ll notice the two double-hinged doors on the front of the tank that make feeding your snake a breeze! You can open both doors or just one at a time, allowing you to feed your snake without worrying open escape. These easy-to-move doors also allow you swiftly take your pet out to clean the tank. While the doors are a beloved feature, the secure locking system takes this tank to the next level. You don’t have to worry about your python or corn snake slithering out at any time thanks to the child-proof locks.
When you set this tank up you’ll also notice there’s a raised bottom. This helps to provide a nice space to simply slide a heater or heating pad underneath. Pet owners also like the tank’s mesh roof as it provides reptiles with the optimum airflow and ventilation they need. The mesh allows UVB and infrared light to reach your pet as well. And the bottom is also waterproof, so you can use it for both rainforest or desert habitats.
A cable pass is supplied to keep your tank tidy and any cords out of the path of your snake. These terrariums may also be stacked with additional REPTI ZOO equipment, which is ideal if you own several slithery critters.
Pros and Cons of the REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The raised bottom allows room for a heater or heating pad underneath the tank. | The tank can be tricky to assemble at first. |
| Child-proof lock keeps your snake safe adn secure. | |
| The top is a tough mesh to allow for airflow, ventilation, and UVB and infrared light. | |
| The bottom of the tank is waterproof. | |
| The tank is easy to assemble and to take apart and store. | |
| The double doors can be opened together or separately. | |
| The tank is large and roomy, so it is a great option for many types of pets. | |
| The cable pass keeps cords out of sight and out of your snake’s way. |
- Easy to assemble
- Folds flat when not in use
- Double-hinged doors make feeding time a snap
- A secure locking system means no escapees
- Raised bottom for heating pad
2. Best 50-Gallon Snake Tank: REPTI ZOO 50 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank
If our best overall choice is a bit too big, try the REPTI ZOO 50 Gallon Glass Terrarium. Most pet snakes will still have plenty of room to slither around and stretch out as needed. This tank measures 36 inches by 18 inches by 18 inches.
This snake tank is designed with convenience and safety in mind. It features a double hinged set of doors that can be opened separately for feeding, so that you don’t need to worry about accidentally letting your snake out. Additionally, it comes with a flexible side vent that can be positioned according to your needs, allowing you to control temperature and humidity levels to create an ideal habitat for your pet snake.
The top of the tank has a screen that provides security while allowing plenty of fresh air to flow through the terrarium. It is also great for letting in UVB and infrared led. The side mesh and side glass panels can be switched around as needed. However, a few customers expressed concern about this, as they were worried that their snakes could easily push them open and escape.The tank also comes with a specially designed lock to ensure that children or pets cannot open it unintentionally. This provides an extra layer of security to keep your snake safe inside its terrarium.
A cable pass is included to help keep wires tidy, while the tank itself is flat-packed for easy transportation. And if you ever need to move it, it’s simple to take down and set up again quickly. However, customers reported that this is much easier (and sometimes necessary) to do with two people, as it can be tricky to set up.
Like the 67-gallon version, this snake home has a waterproof bottom, making it a great choice for both rainforest and desert snakes. The base of the tank is also equipped with a special space where you can place heat mats, substrate heaters, or heat cables for convenience and safety. Overall, this is a great choice if you’re looking for a smaller version of the best tank out there!
Pros and Cons of the REPTI ZOO 50 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This tank is smaller than our first pick, but it is still quite large and roomy. | The tank can be a bit tricky to set up. |
| The double-hinged doors can be opened separately for feeding and cleaning. | A few customers were concerned that a snake could push open the side screens. |
| The flexible side vent can be positioned according to your needs. | |
| The top is a tough mesh that allows UVB and infrared light to penetrate the tank. | |
| The doors have a child-proof lock. | |
| The cable pass keeps cables and cords out of the way. | |
| The tank is easy to assemble and disassemble. | |
| The bottom is waterproof. | |
| The base of the tank has extra space for a heater. | |
- Double-hinged doors provide easy access to your pet and clean the tank
- The waterproof bottom keeps pets dry
- Built-in windows provide ample ventilation
- The tough mesh top protects your pet while allowing necessary UVB and infrared light through
3. Best 30-Gallon Snake Tank: Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium Kit
If you are looking for a medium-sized tank to create a new home for your snake than the Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium Kit is a solid choice. Exo Terra is a well-known and trusted brand when it comes to safe and secure terrariums for all types of reptiles. This tank measures 24 inches by 18 inches by 12 inches.
The convenient front window ventilation system allows for maximum circulation and airflow throughout the tank. It’s easy to feed your scaly friend thanks to the dual doors. The doors also have a secure locking system to keep your snake from escaping. In addition, the top is a stainless steel mesh that protects your snake while providing ventilation and allowing UVB and infrared light to pass through.
This tank also features a raised bottom plate, allowing you to mount a substrate reptile heater that effectively heats the extended ground surface. Additionally, the tank’s extra high fixed front window offers plenty of space for thick layers of substrates or bedding. The bottom is also waterproof.
There are closable inlets on both sides of the glass that you can use to feed any wiring through or insert tubing. Lastly, we love the durable stainless steel mesh cover that lets in plenty of light!
However, several customers reported was that many of their products were damaged when shipped. Fortunately Amazon was happy to send them a replacement, but of course it was inconvenient when you’re waiting for your snake’s new habitat.
In addition, a handful of customers reported that their pets snuck behind the raised edge and behind the styrofoam backing. Pets who got stuck here tragically cannot breathe, so it is extremely important to ensure that your snake cannot access this part of the tank.
Pros and Cons of the Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium Kit
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The front window ventilation system allows for circulation and airflow. | Unfortunately, several customers reported that their tank came damaged. |
| The double doors help to keep your snake from escaping when you feed them. | If pets sneak behind the styrofoam backing, it can be very dangerous for them. |
| There is a locking system for the double-doors. | |
| The stainless stell mesh top allows for ventiliation, as well as for UVB and infrared light to pass through. | |
| The bottom of the tank is waterproof. | |
| The closeable inlets on the sides of the tank can be used to feeding through wiring and tubing. |
- Safe, secure terrarium
- Ideal for snakes 2.5-4 feet long
- Great for ball pythons
- Front window provides great ventilation
- Double doors make feeding time easy
4. Best 20-Gallon Snake Tank: Exo Terra Short All Glass Terrarium
If you have a baby snake that needs a place to slither around and relax under a heating light, consider Exo Terra’s Short All Glass Terrarium. This tank can house snakes that are small and still growing.
Similar to the others on this list, the 20-gallon tank from Exo Terra has double-front opening doors for easy access into the cage. The doors may be opened independently and are secured by a specifically designed lock. The top screen is totally detachable for simple access for decorating or cleaning. It also allows UVB and infrared penetration.
The tank features a raised bottom frame that can accommodate an under tank heater, if necessary. But no matter what you use it for, you can rest assured knowing the tank is completely waterproof.
On both sides of the screen top are five closable wire or tube inlets for installing heatwave pebbles, sensors, and other accessories. Essentially, if you need a small tank that has all of the capabilities as the others listed above, this is for you!
However, like the previous Exo Terra tank, this tank also comes with a foam backdrop that can cause seirous health issues if your snake gets trapped behind it. Customers suggested removing the backdrop all together and placing it on the outside of the back tank wall if you want the decoration without the danger.
Pros and Cons of the Exo Terra Short All Glass Terrarium
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This tank is smaller and great for baby snakes and small snakes. | If pets sneak behind the styrofoam backing, it can be very dangerous for them. |
| The double-front doors can be opened independently and make access to the tank easy. | |
| There is a lock on the doors to keep your snake safe and secure. | |
| The bottom of the tank is waterproof. | |
| The bottom of the tank is also raised to accommodate a heater. | |
| There are inlets for wiring or tubing. | |
| The top screen allows UVB and infrared penetration. | |
| You can detach the top screen for cleaning. |
- Great for snakes up to 2.5 feet long
- Double doors make it easy to clean and transfer your pet
- Detachable screen
- Specially-designed lock ensure doors stay shut
Choosing the Best Snake Tank: What to Look For
When buying a snake tank, there are several things to keep in mind to guarantee that it is a good fit for both you and your snake. You should consider:
- Snake species
- Tank size
- Temperature and UVB Capabilities
- Convenience
Let’s take a closer look at each of these in detail.
Snake Species
Because there are so many distinct snake species, what works for one may not work for others. You may not have to bother about the length of the tank if you’re housing a smaller snake, but if you’re looking for a tank for a ball python, you’ll definitely need something bigger. In addition, some snakes can be venomous or prone to wandering out of their cage, so you’ll want to invest in a sturdy and safe tank that they can’t get out of.
In addition, it is important to consider if your snake is a terrestrial species (snakes that live mainly on the ground) or an arboreal species (a snake that likes to climb or lives mostly in trees). Each type will have different size and shape requirements for their enclosure.
Tank Size
One of the most significant factors to consider is the size of your tank. You don’t want to overcrowd your pet reptile! While a small enclosure may work while your snake is still small, you will need to think about how large your snake will be when it is fully grown.
When it comes to snakes, the very minimum requirement is that they have enough room to turn around, although it is always better if they have eevn more room than that. It is suggested to choose an enclosure that is at least twice as long as the snake so they have enough room to move around and thrive.
To ensure your snake’s comfort and health, aim to provide the largest cage possible. Additionally, be sure the type of cage you select is tailored to its species’ needs. As your snake grows, it should be moved to a roomier habitat that offers more space to move around and explore.
To ensure optimal ventilation and safety, cover the tank with a screened lid that is equipped with a secure latch. Make sure the latch is extra strong — snakes are some of the best escape artists around!
Temperature and UVB Capabilities
All reptiles require an external heat source (such as a heating pad, heating light, etc.) as they are ectotherms, also known as cold-blooded. This means that snakes and other reptiles depend on external sources of heat to regulate their internal body temperature, requiring different temperatures in order to stay healthy.
To keep happy and content reptiles, most pet snakes require heaters and UVB light bulbs. Some tanks come with this feature built-in, while others may require you to install your own lights or heat pack. You should also ensure that your tank is large enough to handle the tank warmer.
Convenience
You’re likely not looking to move your snake terrarium once you’ve set it up. Nevertheless, there may be times when owning a mobile or foldable tank is helpful, so keep that in mind. While these are usually not as secure, you may want something you can easily place your pet in if you move frequently.
The Different Types of Snake Tanks: Pros and Cons Compared
When shopping around for a home for your snake, you’ll find that there are four different types based on the main materials used. Let’s discuss some of the reasons why you may want to own one over another!
- Plastic Tanks: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, plastic tanks are usually cheaper, lightweight, and easy to clean. However, you’ll have to be careful with heating devices to avoid melting the plastic. In addition, plastic tanks are not as clear as glass tanks.
- Glass Tanks: While glass is more expensive, it’s the most durable material used for snake terrariums. They’re easy to clean and shouldn’t be too heavy if you need to move in around your home. The main downfall is that glass can break easier than other materials.
- Mesh Cage: It’s important to mention right off the bat that a mesh cage should only be used temporarily. These are a great lightweight and affordable way to house your snake when you’re cleaning its tank. However, they are not appropriate for housing your snake long-term.
Up Next:
- The Top Rated Heat Mats for Your Reptile
- The 6 Best Heat Lamps for Your Pet Reptile
- The 8 Best Books About Snakes Around the World
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Glass Terrarium |
| Best 50-Gallon Tank | REPTI ZOO 50 Gallon Glass Terrarium |
| Best 30-Gallon | Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium Kit |
| Best 20-Gallon Tank | Exo Terra Short All Glass Terrarium |
The Best Snake Tanks: Reviewed for You FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are snakes hard to care for?
Snakes make great pets due to their minimal upkeep. Most are clean, quite, and don’t require much interaction with people. Additionally, they only need a few items of specialized equipment for proper care and upkeep.
However, it’s essential to remember that providing the right care for each individual snake varies significantly depending on its species and breed.
What size of tank is best for a pet snake?
Each snake species has its own unique requirements, so it is important that you research the needs of your particular pet.
When selecting a terrarium for your snake, it’s important to ensure that it will be big enough to accommodate its growth (snakes tend to grow pretty fast!). Choose an enclosure that is the right size for your particular breed of snake.
In addition, make sure that your snake tank is well-ventilated and escape-proof. The seams should be sealed and the top securely locked, to ensure no unauthorized exits. Your veterinarian or pet store may be able to provide examples of larger enclosures that are suitable habitats for adult snakes.
Can a fish tank be used for snakes?
Most aquariums are vertically oriented, which is ideal for fish, but snakes will benefit from a greater front-to-back area. Be sure to research what is best for your particular species of snake.
What do snakes need in their tank?
Snakes can enjoy natural branches as part of their habitat, but be sure that all branches are free of insects and have not been in contact with pesticides. Additionally, secure the branches so they will not fall onto the snake or injure it in any way. For added convenience, arrange the branches so that they slope from the bottom to the top of the enclosure and end near a heat or light source to help your reptile bask.
Large rocks provide great basking opportunities, while hiding places like upside-down boxes, hollow logs, pieces of curved bark, clay pots, commercial reptile caves, and artificial vegetation offer safe and secure spots for reptiles to retreat.
It is essential that your snake’s habitat features a large, heavy ceramic dish or bowl of fresh, clean water that cannot be easily knocked over. This can not only help maintain better humidity in the air, but some snakes also enjoy taking periodic soaks. However, these dishes must be cleaned and disinfected every 24-72 hours to ensure your snake’s safety since many reptiles use the same bowl for both drinking and eliminating.
All snakes require a heating source as well, since they cannot regulate their body temperature without an external source. When heating your reptile’s enclosure, the source should be placed outside of it to ensure that temperatures remain regulated.
What kind of substrate is best for snake tanks?
Snakes need substrate that is both easy to clean and safe for the snake. Popular choices include newspaper, butcher paper, towels, and artificial grass (Astroturf).
Avoid sand, gravel, wood shavings, corncob material, walnut shells, and cat litter. These substrates are not only difficult to clean, but they can also cause intestinal impaction if ingested intentionally or accidentally (if food items may become coated in the substrate). Cedar wood shavings are toxic to reptiles and must be avoided!
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
