If you’ve recently purchased a 120-gallon
The best reptiles for a 120-gallon
In this guide, we have discussed the best reptiles for a 120-gallon
Table of Contents
Reptiles That Can Live In A 120-Gallon Tank
A 120-gallon
1. Blue Tongue Skink
Blue-tongued skinks are lizards with blue tongues (hence, the name!). They originate from the hot and semi-arid regions of Australia and can live up to 20 years in captivity.
Typically, these lizards are pretty large and can easily grow up to 17 inches. According to the Cosley Zoo, they can even grow up to 22 inches. Therefore, you need to have a spacious
General Temperament
Blue-tongued skinks are excellent pets because they are friendly, easy to train, and docile. They’re not usually aggressive, but if you provoke them, they may hiss at you or even bite you.
Remember that these lizards are territorial, so you should keep them alone.
Living Conditions and Diet
You need to follow the specific living conditions listed below if you plan to keep a blue-tongued skink. Note that they may differ species-to-species.
- Temperature – 70℉ – 80℉ and 95℉ – 100℉ (basking area)
- Lighting – UV-B required
- Humidity – 60% to 80%
- Substrate – Soft and loose substrate (sand, reptile soil)
- Diet – Omnivorous diet – insects and worms (crickets, black soldier fly larvae, locust, silkworm), vegetables (kale, broccoli, cucumber), and fruits (banana, apple, pear)
Need more info on blue tongues skinks? Read our care guide here!
2. Bearded Dragon (Pogona Vitticeps)
Bearded dragons, also known as beardies, make for the perfect pet for a 120-gallon
Generally, you can keep beardies in a 75-gallon
General Temperament
Bearded dragons are peaceful and friendly lizards. In fact, they’re one of the few lizards that even tolerate being held if they trust the owner. They may even sit on your shoulder or chest.
Note that beardies may get stressed or aggressive if the
Living Conditions and Diet
- Temperature – 71°F – 77°F and 104°F – 107°F (basking area)
- Lighting – UV-A and UV-B required
- Humidity – 30% to 40%
- Substrate – Sand, soil, gravel
- Diet – Omnivorous diet – insects and worms (Dubia Roaches, crickets, mealworms), vegetables (kale, parsley, cilantro)
Interested in getting a bearded dragon? Our beardie care guide will certainly help you to get everything right from the start!
3. Jeweled Lacerta (Timon Lepidus)
Originating from the southwestern regions of Europe, Jeweled Lacerta is a terrestrial or semi-arboreal lizard known for its distinct appearance! This beautiful species can live up to 20 years. So, you should only go for them if you’re ready to care for them for a long time.
Jeweled Lacertas have varying sizes. Some can be as small as 12 inches whereas some can grow up to 24 inches too. Due to this reason, you require a
Now, a 120-gallon
General Temperament
Jeweled lacertas are shy, calm, and peaceful. However, they’re not suitable for beginners as their care can get difficult.
Keep in mind that jeweled lacertas are known to get stressed quickly and require patient handling. These lizards also tend to get active and love to roam about their enclosure.
Living Conditions and Diet
- Temperature – 75°F – 85°F and 90°F – 95°F (basking area)
- Lighting – UVB
- Humidity – 50% – 60%
- Substrate – sand, potting soil, coco mulch
- Diet – Primarily insectivorous (crickets, super worms, Dubia roaches, snails)
4. Uromastyx
Uromastyx is yet another lovely species that you can house in a 120-gallon
Moreover, it can live up to 20 to 30 years! So, if you plan to keep a Uromastyx, you’ll have to provide care consistently.
Uromastyx can easily grow between 10 to 18 inches. Also, some Egyptian varieties can even grow up to 30 inches. Hence, many reptile shops recommend opting for a 100 or 120-gallon
General Temperament
Uromastyx is generally friendly and docile. Yet, you need to keep in mind that they require some level of trust-building to get comfortable with you.
These lizards are moderately active and might spend their time in hiding. When it comes to handling, they may not allow it initially. But over time (after a month or two), they may get comfortable. Do note that this depends on your pet’s individual nature.
Living Conditions and Diet
- Temperature – 80°F – 100°F and 120°F (basking area)
- Lighting – UVB
- Humidity – 10% – 25%
- Substrate – fine sand, sandy soil
- Diet – Primarily herbivorous (dark green leafy vegetables like kale, cabbage, collard greens, and cilantro)
Uros are awesome! If you would like to get one as a pet, read our uromastyx care guide if you need help!
5. Ball Python (Python Regius)
If you’re more of a snake than a lizard person, you can keep a ball python in your 120-gallon
Ball pythons originate from the Sub-Saharan regions of Central and West Africa, and can live up to 20 to 30 years in captivity.
Generally, ball pythons can grow up to 4.5 to 5 feet easily! Hence, a spacious
General Temperament
Adult ball pythons are easy to handle, well-mannered, and calm. Also, as these snakes are shy, they may hide frequently.
Young ball pythons may get aggressive, but you need to give them time and make them trust you. They don’t bite unless you provoke them or they’re stressed.
Living Conditions and Diet
- Temperature – 75°F – 80°F (cool side), 80°F – 85°F (warm side), and 88°F – 92°F (basking)
- Lighting – No special lighting is required
- Humidity – 60% – 70%
- Substrate – Coconut husk, newspaper, bioactive soil
- Diet – Carnivorous diet (rodents, birds)
If you want to learn more about ball pythons, read our ball python care guide here!
6. Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)
The corn snake is one of the most popular pet snakes due to its adorable appearance! This species is native to the eastern US regions, like Florida. Typically, corn snakes can live up to 20 years in captivity.
When they’re juvenile, corn snakes are only around 8-12 inches. However, as adults, they can easily become 4 to 5 feet in length! So, a 120-gallon
General Temperament:
There is a reason why corn snakes are extremely popular amongst reptile owners. These snakes have a calm and docile temperament. Moreover, adult corn snakes don’t mind being handled, as long as they’re comfortable with you.
Keep in mind that young corn snakes can get nervous and require time to get accustomed to you. So, you need to be patient.
Living Conditions and Diet:
- Temperature – 75°F – 82°F (cool side), 80°F – 85°F (warm side), and 88°F – 92°F (basking)
- Lighting – No special lighting is required
- Humidity – 40% – 50%
- Substrate – Aspen, coconut husk
- Diet – Carnivorous diet (rodents, quails)
7. Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria)
As the name suggests, Rainbow Boa is known for its iridescent skin that gives off a rainbow effect. This snake species originates from the humid regions of the Amazon River Basin, and can easily live up to 30 years in captivity.
Rainbow Boas can easily grow up to 4 to 6 feet in size. Hence, a large 120-gallon
General Temperament
Just like corn snakes, rainbow boas are also pretty friendly and calm. They are also comfortable with regular handling. However, due to their nocturnal nature, they aren’t active much during the daytime.
Also, you need to be careful while handling young or baby rainbow boas. They might bite, but you need to remain consistent while handling them. This will make them more comfortable!
Living Conditions and Diet
- Temperature – 75°F – 80°F (cool side), 84°F – 86°F (warm side), and 88°F – 92°F (basking)
- Lighting – No special lighting is required
- Humidity – 75% – 80%
- Substrate – Damp sphagnum peat moss, bark chips, wood shavings, cypress mulch
- Diet – Carnivorous diet (rodents, birds, lizards)
8. Red-Eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)
If you don’t want to go for the traditional reptile pets like lizards or snakes, then a Red-Eared Slider turtle is an excellent option for a 120-gallon
A 120-gallon
General Temperament
The red-Eared Slider turtle is extremely intelligent. These adorable and vibrant turtles are known to show some extent of owner recognition too. Moreover, they’re quite friendly, and won’t bite or attack, unless provoked.
Living Conditions and Diet
- Water Temperature – 72°F – 76°F and 85°F – 95°F (basking)
- Lighting – UV-B lighting is required
- Air Humidity – 70% – 80%
- Substrate – Sand, river rocks, gravel
- Diet – Omnivorous diet (insects, worms, vegetables)
9. Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta scripta)
Yellow-Bellied Slider turtles can easily brighten up your 120-gallon
General Temperament
Yellow-Bellied Slider turtles are one of the most active and friendliest turtles out there! They are great for beginners due to their easygoing nature.
However, keep in mind that these turtles don’t like or enjoy handling. Hence, they may easily get stressed.
Living Conditions and Diet
- Water Temperature – 72°F – 80°F and 90°F – 95°F (basking)
- Lighting – UV-B is required
- Humidity – More than 45%
- Substrate – Fine sand, fine pea gravel
- Diet – Omnivorous diet (insects, worms, vegetables)
Smaller Reptiles That Can Live In A 120-Gallon Tank
Apart from the above-listed reptiles, you can also consider keeping smaller reptiles in a 120-gallon
- 5-gallon tank
- 10-gallon tank
- 20-gallon tank
- 30-gallon tank
- 40-gallon tank
- 55-gallon tank
- 75-gallon tank
- 100-gallon tank
Note: Keep in mind that most reptiles are solitary and territorial, and don’t prefer living with other
tank mates.
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