EN·DE·FR·ES

How much does a reptile cost to set up?

Pick a species for a rough, all-in starting budget, enclosure, heating, UVB, décor and the animal, plus what it costs to run each month. Numbers are ballparks to plan around, not quotes.

Species

Currency

Enclosure£300–£700
Heating, UVB & thermostat£90–£170
Substrate, plants & décor£60–£150
The animal£150–£350

Setup total£600–£1370

Then roughly per month (power + food)£20–£40

A large enclosure with deep substrate and a hot basking zone; an advanced, higher-budget pet.

Rough, brand-new planning ballparks, not quotes. Non-GBP amounts are approximate currency conversions and prices vary by region. Second-hand enclosures and kit can be far cheaper; premium morphs and adults far more. Always size the setup to the adult animal, bigger is better, and buy the animal last, once the enclosure is built and stable.

Not sure which species yet? Try the reptile finder or check what fits your enclosure. Species with a full guide link straight from those tools.

More free tools

Enclosure size checkerIs your tank big enough for an adult?UVB & lighting pickerThe right UVB strength for your species.Can my reptile eat this?Search a food or plant for safety.What fits in my enclosure?Enter a tank size, see which species suit it.Which reptile should I get?Answer a few questions, get matched to species.Diurnal or nocturnal?See which reptiles are active by day or night.What substrate is safe?Which bedding is safe, and which causes impaction.Is this normal?Common reptile behaviours: normal, or a red flag?Care scoreScore your setup and see what to fix, in seconds.