For an adult crested gecko, the minimum enclosure size most keepers agree on is 18 x 18 x 24 inches, and 18 x 18 x 36 inches is the size they recommend when they want the gecko to have real vertical room. A front opening terrarium for crested geckos puts hinged glass doors on the front face instead of a lift-off lid on top, so you can feed, mist and spot-clean without dismantling the whole habitat.
That door position matters more than most product pages admit. Crested geckos are semi-arboreal New Caledonian geckos that drop from height when startled, and a top-opening aquarium gives you no way to catch one that gets loose in a room full of furniture. Front-opening hinged doors close the whole front face, so escape risk drops sharply compared with a tank you reach into from above.
We spent several weeks comparing seven front-opening terrariums on dimensions, glass thickness, door hardware, ventilation, weight and how much climbing space each one actually gives a gecko. Every unit below ships with at least one front door and a top that takes UVB and dome lighting. One is a starter kit with decor bundled in, three are built around adult footprint sizes, one is a compact vivarium that arrives fully assembled, one is a PVC enclosure that barely registers on a bathroom scale, and one is the only option here aimed straight at water features.
If you want the wider species context first, our reptile terrarium guide covers enclosure types beyond the crested gecko setup, and our terrarium guide for plants is useful if you plan a heavily planted bioactive enclosure that needs strong light and airflow.
Top 3 Best Front Opening Terrariums for Crested Geckos (October 2026)
Our top three balance door security, vertical climbing space and how much work the enclosure is to set up. The Zilla kit wins on turnkey completeness and the strongest rating in the group, the 67 gallon REPTI ZOO gives you the most height, and the NEPTONION vivarium is the one to buy if you would rather skip assembly entirely and want locking latches and a feeding hatch as standard.
Zilla 11 Gallon Glass Tropical Vertical Kit
- Front opening access door
- 12x12x18 vertical glass
- 5 inch deep watertight base
- Locking latch and pin
REPTI ZOO 24x18x36 Double-Door Glass…
- 36 inch vertical height
- Double front doors with anti-escape lock
- Interchangeable side mesh and glass
- Removable mesh top
NEPTONION 20x12x14 Arboreal Vivarium
- Arrives fully assembled
- Escape-proof locking latches
- Top feeding hatch
- Stackable design
Quick Overview of Every Front Opening Terrarium We Reviewed in 2026
Seven front-opening terrariums made the cut. The table below lists the key features of each so you can match a unit to your gecko’s size and your setup before reading the full reviews.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Zilla 11 Gallon Glass Tropical Vertical Terrarium Kit |
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| REPTI ZOO 24x18x36 67 Gallon Glass Terrarium |
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 REPTI ZOO 45 Gallon 24x18x24 Glass Terrarium |
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 BINANO 24x18x18 Front-Opening Glass Tank |
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| NEPTONION 20x12x14 Arboreal Vivarium |
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 maiyuolg 12x12x18 PVC Front-Opening Enclosure |
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 REPTI ZOO 30 Gallon 18x18x24 Glass Terrarium |
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1. Zilla 11 Gallon Glass Tropical Vertical Terrarium Kit – Best All-Round Kit
Zilla 11 Gallon Glass Tropical Vertical Terrarium Kit
12 x 12 x 18 in glass
Front opening door with locking latch
5 in deep watertight base
16.75 lb
Pros
- Everything a first setup needs in one box
- Front door opens wide for feeding and cleaning
- Deep sealed base takes a drainage layer and water
- Powder coated screen resists rust
Cons
- Kit format means some parts go unused if you already own decor
- 12 x 12 x 18 in is a juvenile footprint
- Not built for larger reptiles
This is the enclosure we set up first when we wanted to know whether a bundled kit actually saves time. It did. The 12 x 12 x 18 inch glass box arrives with a rock-like foam background, coconut husk bedding, a humidity and temperature gauge, a feeding dish, a front locking latch and pin, and a mini halogen dome with bulb already included.
The front opening door is the part that matters most. It swings wide enough to put your hand inside for feeding or to lift a hide, and the latch and pin give you a mechanical lock rather than the spring catch you find on cheaper frames.
At 16.75 pounds it is heavy enough to feel stable on a stand and light enough to shift when you need to clean behind it. The 5 inch deep sealed base is unusually generous for a unit this size, which is what makes it a credible starting point for a bioactive setup with a drainage layer.
The kit contents are the trade-off. If you already own a halogen dome and background, you are paying for things that will sit in a cupboard, and the listing itself warns against use with iguanas, monitors and other large reptiles.
Size is the other limit. Twelve by twelve by eighteen is a hatchling and juvenile footprint by keeper community standards, so plan this as a first enclosure that a young gecko can graduate from rather than a permanent adult home.
What we liked about the Zilla kit
The combination of a watertight base, a front door and a locking pin in a single 12 x 12 x 18 unit is hard to find elsewhere in this size class. Most budget glass tanks give you the door but a shallow plastic base, or the base but no front latch.
Owners consistently point to the same three things in reviews: front access that makes daily maintenance quick, glass that feels sturdy for the size, and accessories that remove most of the startup shopping. At 4.6 stars across more than 1300 reviews, it is the most proven enclosure in this roundup.
Where it falls short
It is not an adult enclosure, and no amount of decor changes the footprint. Once your gecko passes roughly 30 grams, the climbing area available here falls short of what keepers recommend.
The included bedding and dome are fine for a first setup but nothing special, so a keeper who wants to build a planted enclosure will replace most of them anyway. Treat the kit as a convenience package, not a finished habitat.
2. REPTI ZOO 24x18x36 67 Gallon Glass Terrarium – Best for Tall Enclosures
REPTI ZOO 24″ x 18″ x 36″ Reptile Tall Glass Terrarium Rainforest Habitat Double Hinge Door with Screen Ventilation 67 Gallon Reptile Terrarium Easy Assembly
24 x 18 x 36 in glass
67 gallon vertical terrarium
Double front doors with lock
60 lb
Pros
- Tallest vertical space in the roundup
- Doors open separately so you can open just one side
- Side mesh and glass panels can be swapped
- Flat-packed knock-down design is easier to move
Cons
- Heaviest unit here at 60 lb
- Some units report frame wiggle and seams that can leak
- Wire grommet is permanently adhered to the mesh panel
This is the tallest glass front-opening terrarium we reviewed, and for a semi-arboreal species that vertical climb is the whole point. At 24 x 18 x 36 inches it gives a gecko a genuinely three-dimensional enclosure rather than a wide box with a few corks in it.
The front is split into two doors that open separately. That detail gets overlooked constantly, and it is the reason keepers who own this style of enclosure prefer it for feeding: you open one half, drop in a feeding ledge or a cricket, and the rest of the front stays closed.
It also ships flat-packed as a knock-down kit, which matters more than it sounds at 60 pounds. A fully assembled unit of this size is genuinely awkward to get through a doorway; this one goes into panels and rebuilds in an afternoon.
The patent design here allows the side mesh and side glass panels to be swapped depending on what your animal needs. More mesh means more airflow in a tall column of air; more glass means better humidity retention and clearer viewing.
Owners of geckos, tokays and other climbing species report using this as an upgrade and praising the height and the locking doors. A smaller group report a wobbly frame or a door that swings unless the lock is engaged, so check the lock on day one.
Why the height is worth the weight
With a 36 inch interior height you can build real canopy structure at multiple levels, add a feeding ledge high up, and place hides from floor to ceiling. That vertical layering is what separates a display enclosure from a functional one.
The raised bottom frame also leaves room for a substrate heater, and the base is watertight and leak tested. Both features matter if you plan a planted enclosure with a drainage layer.
What to watch out for
Sixty pounds of glass on a stand means the furniture underneath has to be rated for it. A light press-wood desk is not the right base for a unit this size.
A few owners report leaks at the glass and frame seams after heavy misting or a waterfall feature, which usually means the seams were never sealed. Check the corners and add aquarium-safe silicone if you plan heavy humidity.
3. REPTI ZOO 45 Gallon 24x18x24 Glass Terrarium – Best for Wide Floor Space
REPTIZOO 45 Gallon Glass Reptile Terrarium 24″ x 18″ x 24″ Knock-Down Reptile Tank with Double Hinge Door and Top Screen Ventilation Easy Assembly Terrarium
24 x 18 x 24 in tempered glass
45 gallon capacity
Rotating cable pass for 4 lines
43.1 lb
Pros
- Tempered glass feels sturdy and solid
- Roomy 24 inch width suits a full planting layout
- Doors open independently for feeding and cleaning
- Knock-down assembly takes minutes
Cons
- Small gap at the centre of the doors can let insects escape
- Plastic key lock is not a true lock and the key can fall out
- Occasional missing hardware in the box
This unit trades height for width, and that is a deliberate change of shape rather than a downgrade. At 24 x 18 x 24 inches the floor area is large enough for a corner-to-corner planting scheme and a wide water feature without crowding the climbing space.
Build quality is the standout. The glass is described as high quality tempered glass, and at 43.1 pounds the unit has the dense, planted feel of a serious vivarium rather than a thin display box.
The rotating cable pass on the right side holds up to four lines, which is more than most enclosures at this size offer. Rain systems, overhead lighting, a thermostat probe and a mister all fit without you fighting four separate openings.
Owners report that the unit holds up through a house move without being dismantled, which is unusual for glass of this weight. The knock-down design takes several minutes with step-by-step instructions.
Front doors open separately, so routine feeding and cleaning only require opening one side. The raised bottom frame takes a heating pad and the waterproof base works as a desert or rainforest tank.
Where the 24 inch width pays off
A wider footprint lets you place a feeding ledge at one end and a water dish at the other without the gecko having to navigate past one to reach the other. It also spreads humidity across more surface area, which helps when you are running a bioactive enclosure with live plants.
The four-line cable pass is the sleeper feature. Once you add a mister, an LED plant light, a deep heat projector and a thermostat probe, cable management is what you will be glad you paid for.
Its weak points
There is a small gap at the centre of the front doors, and owners with fruit flies in the enclosure report them finding the way out through it. If you culture feeder insects, that is worth knowing before you buy.
The included plastic key lock is a deterrent rather than a lock, and reviewers note the key itself can fall out of the cylinder. Check that the doors seat flat before you rely on it.
4. BINANO 24x18x18 Front-Opening Glass Tank – Best for Water Features
24x18x18” Front-Opening Glass Reptile Tank for Gecko & Snake
24 x 18 x 18 in all-glass
Sealed watertight base
Front door with suction pull
42.51 lb
Pros
- Sealed base that genuinely holds standing water
- Suction cup front door makes wet hands easy to handle
- Multiple pre-drilled cable holes
- Heat-resistant mesh top takes a basking lamp
Cons
- Newer listing with a mixed rating spread
- Short 18 inch height limits climbing structure
- Front venting is not a highlighted feature
This is the one enclosure here built around a sealed base rather than a decorative one. The watertight base is the reason to look at it if your setup involves a shallow water dish that overflows, a paludarium section, or a misting system that dumps a lot of water into the enclosure.
The front door uses a suction cup pull mechanism alongside an anti-escape latch. That sounds like a small detail until you are trying to open the door with wet hands from a mister, which is a daily reality in a tropical setup.
At 24 x 18 x 18 inches the interior is wide and low. It works well as a display-style enclosure with a planted foreground, and the all-glass build gives you unobstructed viewing of the whole scene.
The top is a heat-resistant metal mesh that is easy to wipe clean and can take a basking lamp directly above it. Multiple pre-drilled cable holes in the top make it straightforward to add rain and lighting equipment later.
This is a newer listing with a shorter review history than the rest of the roundup, and roughly 12 percent of reviews are one star. The features are well specified; the long track record is not there yet.
When the sealed base earns its place
Any crested gecko enclosure needs a water dish that holds water for days at a time. A sealed base makes that dish safe to overfill, and it means a leaking mister does not immediately reach your furniture.
The pre-drilled cable holes also remove a common frustration. In enclosures where you have to route a cable through a frame gap, the grommets are usually the part that tears first, and here they are cut into the top from the factory.
Where it is the wrong choice
Eighteen inches of height is short for an adult arboreal gecko that should be climbing. There is less vertical surface to build a canopy on than in the 24 and 36 inch units in this roundup.
It is also the least proven enclosure we reviewed, with a rating of 4.2 across 96 reviews. If you are buying your adult enclosure and want the confidence of a long review history, the two taller REPTI ZOO units carry more.
5. NEPTONION 20x12x14 Arboreal Vivarium – Most Versatile
NEPTONION 20″x12″x14″ Reptile Terrarium, Escape-Proof Glass Arboreal Vivarium for Small Arboreal Reptiles Such as Crested Geckos, with Escape-Proof Lock & Feeding Hatch
20 x 12 x 14 in glass
Arrives fully assembled
Escape-proof locking latches
18.35 lb
Pros
- No assembly at all
- Locking latches resist a determined gecko
- Feeding hatch means less lid opening
- Stackable and tested to an 80.35 lb top load
Cons
- Sold as an empty tank only with no decor included
- Only 20 inches tall for an arboreal species
- Narrow 12 inch footprint limits planting
This enclosure arrives fully assembled, which no other budget option in this roundup does. You unpack it, wipe it down, add substrate and decor, and it is done. There is no frame to build and no silicone to cure overnight.
The escape-proof locking system is built to resist pushing, bumping and interference from other pets, which is a meaningful upgrade over the spring latches found on cheaper tanks. The latches are the difference between a gecko that is contained and one that is merely hoped for.
The dedicated feeding hatch in the lid is the feature we did not expect to like as much as we do. Dropping food in through a small hatch instead of opening the whole top cuts humidity loss and lets you feed without clearing the entire enclosure.
The ventilated metal mesh top supports overhead heat and UVB placement, and the raised base leaves clearance for a heat mat underneath without tilting the tank.
It is also stackable, with a safety-tested top-load rating of 80.35 lb for this model. If you keep more than one gecko, stacking identical units is the cheapest way to expand without buying more furniture.
Why this is the value pick
Nothing else at this entry point gives you locking latches, a feeding hatch and a mesh top together. Most cheaper front-opening tanks give you one door and no top ventilation.
At 4.5 stars across 118 reviews it also carries a stronger rating than most of the glass units we looked at. Newer listings can still surprise on delivery, but the design itself is well specified.
The limits you should know about
It is sold as an empty tank, so every piece of decor, every hide and all the substrate is a separate purchase. Budget the full setup rather than the enclosure on its own.
Twenty inches tall and 12 inches wide is a small footprint for an adult arboreal gecko. Treat this as a quarantine, nursery or single-hatchling enclosure rather than a permanent adult home.
6. maiyuolg 12x12x18 PVC Front-Opening Enclosure – Best for Lightweight Setups
maiyuolg 12x12x18 PVC Reptile Enclosure, Front Opening Tank for Reptiles
12 x 12 x 18 in PVC
PVC construction
10 gallon capacity
4.45 lb
Pros
- Weighs under 5 pounds so one person can move it
- Front-opening access for feeding and cleaning
- Dark interior reduces stress
- Simple design wipes clean in seconds
Cons
- PVC scratches and yellows faster than glass
- Dark design is wrong for a display enclosure
- 12 x 12 x 18 in is a juvenile footprint
At 4.45 pounds this is the only enclosure in the roundup you can carry between rooms one-handed, and that changes how you keep an animal. Cleaning, water changes and moving the enclosure next to a window become five-minute jobs instead of two-person operations.
The construction is PVC rather than glass. That means a much lighter unit, a naturally darker interior that suits a gecko that hides during the day, and a translucent rather than fully transparent view of the animal.
Front-opening access is present, so feeding and spot-cleaning happen through the front face rather than from a lift-off lid. The raised, dark interior is designed to give a hiding place in a compact footprint.
Roughly 12 percent of reviews are one star, and the recurring note is that PVC is less durable over years of use than glass. Scratches appear, then the panel loses clarity.
If you move house often, or you want an enclosure you can genuinely pick up and carry, that trade is easy to accept. If the enclosure will sit in one place for a decade, glass ages better.
Where PVC earns its place
Weight is the honest reason to buy this. Every glass unit in this roundup runs from 16 pounds to 60 pounds, and several of them need two people or a dolly to move even a few metres.
The dark interior is a second advantage. A gecko that is constantly visible in a bright enclosure stays more skittish, so a light-blocking design genuinely lowers stress for a species that spends most of the day hidden.
What you give up
Scratch resistance and long-term clarity. PVC panels dull and yellow with routine cleaning and mist contact, and a scratched panel keeps catching light in a way glass does not.
This is also a juvenile footprint enclosure at 12 x 12 x 18 inches. Like the Zilla kit, it works as a first tank rather than an adult home.
7. REPTI ZOO 30 Gallon 18x18x24 Glass Terrarium – Best for Adult Sizing
REPTI ZOO 30 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium, 18″ x 18″ x 24″ Rainforest Habitat Tank with Front Opening Door, Knock-Down Vertical Reptile Terrarium with Top Screen & Side Mesh Ventilation
18 x 18 x 24 in glass
30 gallon vertical tank
Top screen plus side mesh
35 lb
Pros
- The 18 x 18 x 24 footprint keepers recommend for adults
- Side mesh plus top screen gives strong airflow
- Front door swings a full 180 degrees
- Light enough to carry unassembled at 35 lb
Cons
- Vague instructions with poor quality diagrams
- Some units arrive with cracked glass or gaps
- Plastic top edge can melt under a close heat source
If you only read the footprint of this enclosure, you will find the single most recommended adult size in keeper communities. 18 x 18 x 24 inches is the dimension that comes up again and again when experienced crested gecko owners describe a perfect adult tank.
Ventilation is the quiet strength here. There is a removable top screen plus mesh panels on both sides, which moves more air than a top screen alone. In a glass enclosure that is the difference between a setup that dries out in an hour and one you can hold steady.
The front door swings a full 180 degrees, so when it is open the entire front face is clear. That matters when you need to reach the upper third of the tank to place a feeding ledge or check on a gecko resting on cork bark.
The raised bottom frame takes a substrate heater and the waterproof base can hold water for amphibian setups. Both features let you run a tropical planted enclosure rather than a dry display tank.
At 35 pounds it is light enough for one person to carry, and the knock-down design lets you disassemble it for moving. It is one of the more manageable adult-sized glass enclosures we handled.
Why this is the adult-sized answer
Eighteen by eighteen by twenty-four gives an adult gecko enough floor area to move horizontally and enough height to climb, without the 60 pound commitment of a 36 inch unit. For a first adult enclosure, the balance is right.
Both side mesh panels plus a top screen also make humidity easier to manage than in an all-glass column, because there is more surface for evaporation and for your misting system to work with.
The drawbacks worth knowing
Assembly instructions are described as vague with poor quality diagrams, so budget extra time and check every seam for gaps once it is built. A few owners report cracked glass or post-assembly gaps on arrival.
The plastic top edge can soften or melt if a heat source sits too close to the frame, so keep overhead lighting and any basking lamp positioned away from the plastic trim.
What Size Front Opening Terrarium Does a Crested Gecko Need?
An adult crested gecko needs at least 18 x 18 x 24 inches of enclosure, and 18 x 18 x 36 inches is the ideal adult size. Juveniles do fine in 12 x 12 x 18 inches until they reach roughly 15 grams, and adults should move up at about 30 grams. Height matters more than width because the species is semi-arboreal.
Here is how the sizes map to the animal, based on the age and weight thresholds used across crested gecko keeper communities:
Hatchlings from 0 to 4 months can be housed in a 12 x 12 x 18 unit with a front door, a mesh top and a deep base. Keep in mind that a hatchling will not use vertical space well yet, so a small footprint is fine at this stage.
Juveniles from 5 to 18 months, up to roughly 15 grams, still fit comfortably in 12 x 12 x 18 but benefit from anything taller. The 20 x 12 x 14 unit in this roundup and the 24 x 18 x 18 glass tank both work as intermediate steps.
Adults from around 18 months or 30 grams need 18 x 18 as the minimum footprint. This is the size the community recommends most often, and it is the footprint of the 30 gallon REPTI ZOO unit reviewed above.
For an adult that will live in the enclosure for years, 18 x 18 x 36 is the target. Nothing in this roundup matches that exact footprint, so the 24 x 18 x 36 REPTI ZOO is the closest and it gives more floor area as well as the height.
One thing nobody should skip: run a new enclosure for 24 hours with your intended heating and misting equipment before the gecko moves in. That lets you confirm the thermostat holds temperature, the hygrometer reads where you expect, and the gecko is not sitting in a cold or wet corner.
How to Choose a Front Opening Terrarium
Door hardware is the first thing to check. Look for a mechanical lock, a latch and pin combination, or at minimum a latch that a gecko cannot push open with a nose. Spring catches are the most common failure in cheaper tanks, and a gecko that escapes at night in a warm room is a genuinely bad outcome.
Ventilation placement matters as much as the amount. A top screen alone gives you upward airflow. Side mesh or mesh side panels add cross-ventilation, which in a tall glass enclosure is what keeps humidity steady instead of stratified with dry air sitting at the top.
Screen top strength is worth a physical check. Rest your hand on the mesh and press down. Lighting fixtures, dome lamps and misting hardware all add downward load, and a top that bows under that weight will trap heat and humidity in the wrong place.
Base depth decides whether a bioactive setup is possible. You need enough depth for a drainage layer, a barrier such as hardware cloth or mesh, and substrate above it. Five inches of sealed base, as on the Zilla kit, gives you room to build that stack properly.
Weight is the factor most buyers underestimate. The glass units in this roundup run from 16.75 pounds to 60 pounds, and a filled 36 inch enclosure is heavy enough that the stand underneath needs to be rated for it. Check what your furniture is rated to hold before you commit.
Material is a trade-off rather than a right answer. Glass holds humidity and heat, cleans easily and resists scratching. PVC is far lighter, blocks more light and travels between rooms easily, but scratches and dulls over years of daily cleaning.
Finally, think about the upgrade path. A 12 x 12 x 18 juvenile enclosure is a short-term home, so either pick one you can resell easily or accept that you will buy again in a year. If you are buying once, buy the adult footprint now.
On brands, Exo Terra and Zilla carry the most established reputations in this category, and REPTI ZOO covers more sizes and configurations than any other maker we reviewed. No single brand wins every category, which is why this roundup mixes all three.
Front-opening terrariums solve the two problems that show up most often with crested gecko housing: escape risk from a top-opening tank, and feeding access to the upper half of a tall enclosure. Both of those problems disappear once the doors are hinged on the front face and the top stays a fixed mesh screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of terrarium is best for a crested gecko?
A vertical glass terrarium with hinged front-opening doors, a full mesh or screen top and a sealed base 4 inches deep or more. Front doors are far more escape-resistant than a top-opening aquarium and let you feed and clean without removing the lid. Aim for 18 x 18 x 24 inches for an adult and 18 x 18 x 36 inches for a permanent setup.
Is a 12x12x18 terrarium enough for a crested gecko?
A 12 x 12 x 18 front-opening terrarium is enough for a hatchling or juvenile, roughly 0 to 18 months and up to about 15 grams. It stops being appropriate at around 30 grams, when keepers recommend moving up to 18 x 18 x 24 inches. Two of the units in this roundup, the Zilla kit and the PVC enclosure, sit firmly in the juvenile category.
Are Exo Terra enclosures good for crested geckos?
Exo Terra enclosures are among the most recommended front-opening terrariums in keeper communities, largely because of the dual front doors, the front window ventilation strips and the full metal screen top. Keepers do criticise the screen tops for sagging under lighting, and they are widely described as difficult to find in the sizes people want. REPTI ZOO and Zilla cover similar ground across more sizes.
Is REPTI ZOO a good brand for crested gecko terrariums?
REPTI ZOO is a good brand and covers the widest size range of any maker in this roundup, from 18 x 18 x 24 up to 24 x 18 x 36. Owners of crested geckos, tokays and tree frogs praise the tempered glass, the doors that open separately and the knock-down design. Reported drawbacks are vague instructions, occasional shipping damage and side mesh panels that can rattle after assembly.
Can I use a regular aquarium instead of a front-opening terrarium?
You can, and plenty of keepers do. The trade-off is access and escape risk: a top-opening aquarium has no front access to the upper third of the tank and a startled gecko can still get out and land on the floor. A front-opening terrarium closes the whole front face and lets you reach any height in the enclosure.
Which Front Opening Terrarium Should You Buy?
The Zilla 11 gallon kit is the easiest place to start, with the strongest rating in the group and everything a first setup needs in one box. For an adult, the 18 x 18 x 24 REPTI ZOO is the size the community recommends most often, and the 24 x 18 x 36 unit is the choice when you want maximum vertical room. Check every enclosure for 24 hours before your gecko moves in.