Are the 12 x 12 x 12 Exo-Terras Any Good?

[ecoreptiles]

I've been racking my brain trying to think of a single species of reptile or amphibian that could live out its life in a 12" x 12" x 12" Exo-Terra terrarium... Are there any?

Surely no newts or salamanders would find this enclosure large enough?

What about mantella frogs? Still too small for them?

What does the caudata community think about a 12 x 12 x 12 enclosure in general? Too small to be of use?
Is it only good as a showcase or for keeping invertebrates?

[Bruno]

Perhaps a single mantella, MAYBE a pair if it's set up right so that they can use some of the space that's not normally used in most set-ups (for example: perches or driftwood placed diagnally). They could possibly house an individual small newt or salamander (shanjings, marbled salamander). I would use something that small to raise juvenile (terrestrial) newts. I'm housing a single female shanjing in a 12x12x18 temporarily. But the 12x12x12 is really small, It would be nice for a pixie frog or a pac man frog, but not for any energetic animals that spend time cruising like some dart frogs or mantellas.

[Otterwoman]

I think those tanks are really pretty, and I love the way they open, but alas, I think they're too small for any salamander that I would consider keeping. I just look at them longingly when I go to reptile expos, and then walk on.

[Jennewt]

A couple of red efts or other very small terrestrial sals or juveniles would be comfortable with a setup that size if it were set up well. I keep some of my terrestrial juvs in sweater box sized setups, which are a similar size. One possible concern would be whether it's sufficiently escape-proof.

[Mark]

I've not used Exo-terra vivs myself but I've heard they often require some modification, at least for tropical frogs. The doors lack silicone beading where they join (can be purchased separately). This means that small invertebrates can easily escape through the doors. The ventilation area is often considered too large so if high humidity is required this may need to be reduced. These are not major problems but it really depends what you want to keep in it.

[Repguy27]

I would say one small cfbn would probably be okay. I though of a great setup too for it.

-river pebbles on bottom
-external filter (not sure if it is necessary) with cords or tubes running behind background
-exo terra hood
-small water plants
-slate rock coming out of the water for land

I bet some some poison dart frogs would be good in there.

[petro]

It's very little,even my juveniles have a bigger place to stay in.But nevertheless i have the same boxes,but only for some of my stick insects.
Petro

[Ben]

I know this is an older post, but I thought I'd chime in.

In all honesty, I would not house Cynops orientalis (or any other aquatic caudate) in such an enclosure, unless it was an eft in its brief terrestrial stage.

At one cubic foot, this terrarium translates out to approximately 7.5 US gallons. In the manner that Exo-Terras are constructed (due to the doors,) only 1/3 of that volume could be filled with water, giving a total possible swimming volume of only 2.5 gallons. With pebbles and filters along with other miscellaneous decorations to occupy further space in that setup, only maybe 2 gallons would be available for any aquatic newt to swim in. This is rather quite limiting to animals that would only rarely leave the water.

I agree, though, that it could work for small, sedentary, terrestrial amphibians quite well (as stated by several posters above.)

An additional problem with the setup is that the Exo-Terra hoods are varitable heat traps, as they have horrid ventilation and constructed for use with halogen or spiral compact bulbs. I fear that the use of one would heat a terrarium to temperatures not well tolerated by any temperate caudate.

Considering the price of Exo-Terra products, too, one might conclude that purchasing such an expensive (and small) product might not really be worth for use with any species of newt or salamander, as they'd be much better off if you instead spent that same amount of money to purchase a much larger aquarium. In brief, you'd be paying much more for a smaller, less comfortable setup for your inhabitant.

Granted, the aesthetics of the enclosure must always be considered, and the Exo-Terras are certainly attractive. I understand that we often subject our captive animals to less than perfect conditions for the sake of simply being able to own them, and am, myself, guilty of such transgressions. My argument is that, quite simply, for the amount of money one would spend on such a setup, you could purchase a much better enclosure that would keep your animals happier and give you greater options.

As for keeping Dendrobatids in it, I would not even keep thumbnails in anything less than 10 to 15 gallons, with at least 20g for larger species. They're quite active, and not well suited for small enclosures.

[Repguy27]

I have one 12 x 12 x 18 and it is well ventalated. Used the energy star light bulbs and they should be fine. I use it for my tree frog and so far the temp in the air hasn't gone above room temp. Water temp would be even lower.

[J]

i like exo terras. I kept my 3 cynops orientalis in an 18x18x18 inch when they were young.

but the exo terra 12x12x12inch is not designed for reptiles or amphibians it was made with inverts in mind. I dont think it should ever be used for any reptile or amphibian.

im currently looking for some new inhabitance for my 18x18x18 inch and form what i gather from other amphibian keepers they make great enclosures for tree frogs

[Repguy27]

you could put a few two lined alies in there actually.