Glass and wood are two of the most popular materials for vivariums, but they’re not suited to every reptile.
Some reptiles get stressed out seeing their own reflection in glass, while others need high humidity which can damage a wooden vivarium over time.
So to help you decide whether a wooden or a glass vivarium is better for your reptile, we’ve put together a quick round-up of the advantages and disadvantages of both.
So is it better to have a glass or wooden vivarium?
There’s no definitive answer to this question because the right material for your vivarium ultimately depends on the type of reptile you own. While a corn snake may thrive in a glass or wooden vivarium, other reptiles have more specific requirements that mean a certain material may not be suitable for them at all.
Research the living conditions your reptile need and then take a look at our round-up of the advantages and disadvantages of glass and wooden vivariums to help you choose the right material for your reptile tank.
Advantages and disadvantages of glass vivariums
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Glass vivariums look modern and fit with any colour scheme, making a nice centrepiece in your room. | For certain reptiles (like chameleons), seeing their own reflection in the glass can stress them out. | |
| When it comes to cleaning your reptile tank, glass vivariums are very easy to sterilise. | Glass vivariums are more breakable than wooden vivariums. | |
| Glass vivariums are well-suited to reptiles who need a high level of humidity. | Glass vivariums don’t retain heat as well as wooden vivariums. |
Advantages and disadvantages of wooden vivariums
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden vivariums are very easy to modify. For example, if you need to drill holes. | Over time wooden vivariums can be damaged by water and humidity. | |
| Wooden vivariums are cheaper than glass vivariums. | Wooden vivariums are harder to sterilise than glass vivariums – particularly when dirt and bacteria get in the cracks. | |
| If you have more than one reptile, wooden vivariums are easier to stack than glass vivariums. | Wooden vivariums are usually delivered as a flat pack which requires self-assembly (but this is usually quite easy). | |
| Wooden vivariums can be painted to match new furniture or decor. | ||
| Wooden vivariums are less likely to break than glass vivariums. |
Does my reptile need a glass or a wooden vivarium?
Still not sure what material your reptile’s vivarium should be? Take a look at the table below to find out whether a wooden or glass vivarium is better for your reptile.
| Bearded dragons | Wooden vivarium |
| Leopard geckos | Glass vivarium |
| Crested geckos | Glass vivarium |
| Corn snakes | Glass or wooden vivarium |
| Milk snakes | Glass or wooden vivarium |
| Chameleons | Wooden vivarium |
Now you know what material your reptile vivarium should be, stay on Vivarium World for even more reptile care advice:
- What is the Right Size for a Bearded Dragon Vivarium?
- Why You Shouldn’t Use Heat Mats for Bearded Dragons
