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8 Reptiles That Can Live In A 75-Gallon Tank Forever

best reptiles for a 75-gallon tank

Figuring out tank dimensions for your pet reptile can be challenging. It’s also equally frustrating for first-timers to select a reptile based on tank size. It doesn’t matter which of those groups you belong to; if you’re looking for suitable candidates for a 75-gallon reptile tank – we can help.

The tank dimensions of reptiles can vary based on age and species; however, owners can house single adults like Bearded Dragons, Blue Tongue Skinks, and some snake species in a 75-gallon tank. If you’re looking to build a community in a 75-gallon terrarium, species like the Uromastyx, Painted Agama, Rankin’s Dragon, and Crocodile Skinks will work best.

This article will introduce you to several reptiles you can permanently house in a 75-gallon tank without upgrading the tank size later. Keep scrolling down to avoid future hassles and costs relating to pet reptile housing.

What Reptiles Are Suitable For A 75-Gallon Tank?

Reptile Recommended Tank Size (Hatchling &
Juvenile)
Recommended Tank Size (Adult)Community Tank
Bearded Dragon20 to 40 Gallons75 to 120 GallonsNo
Blue Tongue Skink 20 to 30 Gallons55 to 75 Gallons No
Corn Snake10 to 40 Gallons40 to 75 GallonsNo
Spotted Python 10 to 20 Gallons40 to 75 GallonsNo
Uromastyx 20 Gallons55 to 75 GallonsYes
Painted Agama10 to 20 Gallons40 to 75 GallonsYes
Rankin’s Dragon20 to 40 Gallons40 to 75 GallonsYes
Crocodile Skink5 to 10 Gallons30 to 75 GallonsYes

Before we start going through our reptiles compilation, you should note that the list featured here pertains to tank size for juvenile and adult reptiles.

The enclosure dimensions for hatchlings and juveniles are typically smaller, allowing the inhabitants to reach food, water, and warmth easily. 

Also, for reptiles in communities, hatchling and juvenile tank dimensions might vary with the number of tank mates. For example, two juvenile Crocodile Skinks will do better in a 10-gallon tank than in a smaller one. 

Now that we’ve highlighted those details let’s move on to our riveting reptile roundup!

1. Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

bearded dragon

Bearded Dragons, lovingly called Beardies, are native to the arid regions of Australia. These are ground-dwelling lizards, but they like climbing low branches and rocks to soak up the sun.

These lizards aren’t too difficult to acquire as popular pet options in the reptile community. 

These lizards start off at 3 inches as babies or hatchlings, and as juveniles, they can reach lengths of 16 inches. That’s why the vivarium dimensions for hatchlings and juveniles range from 20 to 40 gallons.

Also note it’s not advisable to keep more than one Beardie per tank, as they’re rather aggressive and territorial. 

Adult Bearded Dragons can measure anywhere from 16 to 24 inches and like having plenty of room to explore. That’s why the recommended tank size for adults can range from 75 to 120 gallons, depending on your pet’s size. 

If you would like to learn more about bearded dragons, read our bearded dragon care guide!

2. Blue Tongue Skink

blue tongue skink

Blue Tongue Skinks rank as popular reptile pets. They’re renowned for their blunt, triangle-like heads, blue tongues, and mild manners.

If you’re a fan of this lizard species, you’re in for a treat because they’re pretty easy to handle and good around kids. 

As hatchlings, Blue Tongues measure around 5 inches and reach up to 12 inches in length as juveniles. You’ll need a 20 to 30-gallon tank to house the young ones with enough space for them to move around.

On the other hand, an adult Blue Tongue can grow as big as 24 inches. As such, they need a 75-gallon tank to ensure they don’t feel boxed in.

It’s also best to note that Blue Tongue Skinks are territorial and belong in a single-specimen setting.

Interested in getting a blue tongue skink? Our blue tongue skink care guide will show you everything you need to know about them.

3. Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)

corn snake

Corn snakes (aka Red Rat Snakes) are a hardy reptile species that can live up to 20 years in captivity. They’re also gentle and handled easily, making them sought-after as pets among reptile lovers.

Hatchlings are a petite 8 inches in size, whereas juveniles can touch the 35-inch range. During this stage, it’s best to house them in 10 to 40-gallon reptile tanks. 

Once the snakes reach adulthood, you can expect them to grow to a whopping 60 inches. That makes them the perfect candidate for a spacious 75-gallon enclosure (with a screen lid, of course).

4. Spotted Python (Antaresia maculosa)

spotted python

If you’re fascinated by pythons but didn’t think you could keep one because of their bulky size, you might want to look into Spotted Pythons.

Sometimes affectionately termed ‘pygmy pythons,’ these snakes are surprisingly streamlined and have a spear-like heads. 

Spotted pythons have humble beginnings and measure 9-24 inches during their hatchling to juvenile phase. Snake owners can resort to 10 or 20-gallon tanks during this time without any hassle. 

However, once Spotted Pythons mature, you can expect your snake to transform into a 48-inch beauty.

At this point, you should upgrade your tank to 75-gallon capacity to ensure there’s enough room for its watering, basking, and eating needs. 

5. Uromastyx 

uromastyx

The Uromastyx family of lizards is incredibly versatile. Currently, there are around 15 recognized Uromastyx species, with the Ornate Uromastyx being the most popular.

Suffice it to say these lizards vary in size and can grow from 10 to 36 inches as adults, depending on their species. 

Experts recommend housing juveniles in a tank of no less than 20 gallons. However, since these lizards can be part of a community tank, you can keep two to three juveniles in a 30-gallon tank

Adults require spacious settings, and you can create a female-only tank of three Uromastyx lizards in a 75-gallon reptile enclosure. 

Would you like to learn more about Uromastyx? Read our Uromastyx Care Guide!

6. Painted Agama (Stellagama stellio)

painted agama

If you’re big on Bearded Dragons, but prefer a community setup to a single specimen tank, say hello to the Painted Agama. Think of these lizards as smaller versions of Bearded Dragons. 

But they’re unique in that they can change color based on their mood, from brown to a beautiful, deep blue. Painted Agamas are native to arid regions and like living in social groups. 

These reptiles measure approximately 12-14 inches upon adulthood, and a single Agama does quite well in a 40-gallon tank.

In contrast, if you’re considering housing multiple Painted Agamas (a female-only group of three lizards is recommended), then a 75-gallon tank is necessary. 

7. Rankin’s Dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni)

rankin's dragon

Rankin’s Dragons are also known as Pygmy Dragons and Black Soil Dragons. They’re native to Queensland, Australia and like warm, dry settings.

Pygmies are the smallest of the Pogona genus and cohabit easily with their own kind. Although, it’s best to house one male and three females or a female-only enclosure.

Despite their small size, Rankin’s Dragons can measure 12 inches when fully mature. As such, you can house a single Pygmy in a 40-gallon enclosure. A 75-gallon tank will be ideal for a Pygmy community with multiple inhabitants. 

Another thing to remember is that these lizards love climbing, which is why you should look for a tank with ample height, such as 24″ x 24″ x 30″ dimensions. 

8. Red-Eyed Crocodile Skink (Tribolonotus gracilis)

red-eyed Crocodile Skink

The Red-eyed Crocodile Skink, or simply Crocodile Skink, is an extraordinary-looking lizard native to New Guinea. These remarkable reptiles get their name thanks to the pointed, armor-like dorsal scales that give the appearance of crocodile skin.

They also have bright orange scales surrounding their eyes, making them impossible to miss. Adult Crocodile Skinks are about 10 inches long, and a single lizard can comfortably live in a 10-gallon tank.

But the good news is, you can keep these lizards in a community tank with a few caveats. 

Housing two Crocodile Skink males is a bad idea as they will get territorial. Up to three or four females can cohabit as long as they have enough space to maneuver and not run into each other very often.

This is where a 75-gallon tank will come in handy and help maintain peace in your reptile enclosure. 

How Big Is a 75-Gallon Tank?

One aspect that makes selecting enclosures for reptiles confusing is that dimensions can differentiate despite having more or less the same capacity.

That’s how some sizeable and miniature reptiles can still fit comfortably in 75-gallon tanks.

Here’s a table containing a few of the more popular dimensions you’re likely to find in reptile tanks with a 75-gallon capacity.

75-Gallon Reptile Tank Dimensions

LengthWidth Height
48 inches18 inches21 inches
49 inches19.5 inches21.25 inches
24 inches24 inches30 inches
48 inches15 inches24 inches
30 inches30 inches18 inches

Conclusion

A 75-gallon tank might seem daunting to some reptile parents, but the truth is it’s available in several variations. Reptile enclosures are available in glass and plexiglass.

Besides that, there are plenty of options in terms of dimensional range. 

So, if you’re hoping to set up a permanent reptile enclosure, our list can help you create the perfect setup with a scaly friend that’ll stay with you for a long time.

Just ensure you complete the ideal environment for your lizard or snake inside the tank, and you’ll do fine.

Interested in reptiles for other tank sizes? Read our articles on the best reptiles for following tank sizes:

Pierre And The ReptileCraze Team