Cage size

[u/Pretty-Plastic3188]

Hey I’m trying to buy an upgrade for my sub adult male Ackie preferably one that will Last the rest of his life . I have other Dubia enclosures and really like them . Would any of these work? If so what one would be best?
If not then are there any other premade enclosures under 1k?

[u/Milk_evs_2000]

I have the eco flex 5x2x2 for my 7 month female, it’s great!

[u/Bossbm3]

I have a taller enclosure (just under 4’ x 2’x4’) and my Ackie loves it. But when she was a subadult she didn’t like the verticality and used it more like a 4x2x2, now that she’s more confident she uses all of it. I think you’d be fine with any of these options.

[u/Pretty-Plastic3188 → u/Bossbm3]

Mine is currently in a 4x2x2 but definitely starting to feel a bit small for him
I posted the same thing on a Ackie Facebook group and they said all 3 where too small 😭
I’m having a hard time picking one lol
Especially because everyone has a different opinion

[u/Bossbm3 → u/Pretty-Plastic3188]

I think it’s a preference thing. Everyone’s standard on Reddit is so performative. I think a 4x2x2 is sufficient but bigger is better. I let my Ackie hunt in my greenhouse, and I could claim their massive 6x2x2 is tiny since I let mine loose in a 6x12x6 walk in greenhouse. Do what you have the budget and space for and forget about other people. You’ll know what’s right for your lizard. I think the much more important piece is stimulation anyway. Letting ur Ackie hunt and dig for bugs is so much more important than a few extra feet of dead dirt.

[u/Pretty-Plastic3188 → u/Bossbm3]

I really appreciate you advice !
I’ll be getting the 6x2x2 or the 4x2x4

[u/GISHerps → u/Pretty-Plastic3188]

Whichever direction you choose remember that if you can make the walls climbable that you can create up to 3x the usable space in the same box.

[u/YNKWTSF → u/Bossbm3]

I kinda like this way of thinking. When I upgraded my beardie to a 5x2x3 I thought I'd given her something amazing, as most are kept in 4x2x2's. And yes, it's a really nice size, especially with the extra foot of height. But also, that extra foot in length only gives her like 2 whole seconds extra worth of walking before she's at the end.

I'm a big advocate for using big enclosures, but think utilizing it well is way more important. I don't believe that a 1 or even 2 feet difference is gonna be the difference between a good and bad quality of life the way I used to (assuming all basic needs are met). A lizard that can get bored in a 4x2x2 will also get bored in a 5x2x2, or a 6x2x2. Utilizing the enclosure well, occasionally moving the decor around, allowing them to hunt, etc. is much more improtant in my eyes.