Exo Terra Faunarium, Plastic Reptile Terrarium, Small, PT225 inch
✅ PROS
- Extremely lightweight and portable — ideal for temporary housing, travel, or hospital tanks
- Clear plastic panels provide good visibility from all sides
- Front-opening door makes feeding and spot-cleaning genuinely easy
- Ventilation slots along the top and sides promote airflow without excessive humidity loss
❌ CONS
- Top lid secures with a simple latch that can pop open under heat lamp pressure — needs a bungee or weight
- Plastic scratches easily, so it won't stay crystal clear with frequent cleaning
- Too small for adult reptiles; really only suitable for juveniles, insects, or short-term housing
The Verdict
If you’re shopping for a permanent home for a growing gecko or a snake that’s past the hatchling stage, stop reading. This isn’t that product. But if you need a lightweight, portable, and genuinely functional enclosure for a juvenile reptile, a transport setup, or a quarantine tank, the Exo Terra Faunarium Small (PT225) deserves a serious look.
What You Actually Get
Out of the box, you get the assembled plastic terrarium with a removable top lid, a front-opening door, and ventilation slots along the top and sides. No tools, no assembly, no confusing instructions. The unit measures roughly 12 x 8 x 8 inches — small enough to tuck into a shelf but roomier than the dimensions suggest thanks to the clear panels on all sides.
The plastic is thin but flexible, which is a double-edged sword. It keeps the weight down to almost nothing, but it also means this isn’t a “set it and forget it” permanent enclosure. The front door flips down and latches shut, and the top lid locks into place with a simple snap mechanism.
Real-World Performance
Here’s where the Faunarium both shines and frustrates. The ventilation is genuinely well-designed — slots run along the top edge and sides, promoting airflow that helps prevent stagnant, humid conditions. For a species like a juvenile crested gecko or a small tree frog that needs moderate humidity, this works well.
The front-opening door is the standout feature. You can reach in to change a water dish or drop in crickets without lifting the entire top off. That’s a small thing that makes a big difference during daily maintenance.
But there’s a catch with the lid. Several buyers mention that the top latch doesn’t hold securely when a heat lamp is mounted directly on the mesh. “The lid popped off twice and I came home to an empty tank,” one reviewer noted. The mesh top is also not designed to hold a heavy dome fixture — you’ll want to position your heat source to the side or use a clip-on lamp secured to the rim.
What Buyers Praise
The portability gets consistent love. Owners use these for vet visits, cleaning days, and even as temporary enclosures during moves. One reviewer called it “the perfect hospital tank — easy to clean, easy to see through, and my sick gecko recovered in it without stress.”
Another recurring compliment is the value. It’s inexpensive compared to glass terrariums of similar size, and the clear plastic gives you visibility that many cheaper plastic enclosures lack.
Where It Falls Short
The scratching issue is real. After a few weeks of wiping down the interior, the plastic develops fine surface scratches that dull the clarity. Not a dealbreaker, but it means the “crystal clear” look fades.
More importantly, this is not a permanent home for most adult reptiles. A leopard gecko will outgrow this within months. A corn snake will outgrow it faster. The honest use case is juveniles, feeder insects, amphibians that stay small, or short-term housing.
Also, the latch on the front door feels flimsy. It works, but it’s plastic-on-plastic and won’t survive rough handling.
Who Should Buy This
- Juvenile reptile owners who need a grow-out tank before upgrading to a larger enclosure
- Insect keepers housing crickets, roaches, or mealworms
- Travelers who need a secure, lightweight carrier for vet trips or moves
- Breeders who need temporary quarantine or hospital tanks
FAQ
Q: Can I use this for a baby ball python? A: Briefly, yes — for the first few months. But ball pythons need higher humidity, and the vented design will dry out quickly. You’d need to mist constantly. A tub with a solid lid is a better choice for that species.
Q: Will a heat mat work with this? A: Yes, but place it under one side only. The plastic won’t melt from a standard under-tank heater, but you must use a thermostat to prevent overheating. The thin plastic conducts heat more directly than glass.
Q: Is it escape-proof for small geckos? A: Generally, yes — the latches hold when closed properly. But the top lid latch is the weak point. If you’re housing a known escape artist, add a small clip or weight to the lid.
The Verdict
The Exo Terra Faunarium Small is a specialized tool, not a universal solution. It excels at what it’s designed for — lightweight, portable, easy-to-clean temporary housing — and it fails at what it’s not designed for, which is permanent, long-term reptile housing.
Buy it if you need a reliable travel tank, a quarantine enclosure, or a grow-out tank for a juvenile. Skip it if you’re setting up a permanent home for an adult reptile — invest in a glass terrarium instead.
Rating: 3.7/5 — A genuinely useful product with clear limitations. Buy it for what it does well, and you won’t be disappointed.
Where to Buy
We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — this helps fund more honest reviews.
Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.