What can live in an 8-10 gallon terrarium… any ideas?

Animals Forum
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I’m working on setting up a terrarium that’s around 8-10 gallons (now updated to 11 gallons), and I’m wondering if there are any animals that would do well in it. My original plan was just to keep plants and some tiny maintenance bugs, but I’m open to adding something more if it’s a good fit.

Here’s a quick rundown of the setup and preferences:

  • It’s a wooden frame that’s sealed well.
  • Not built for holding water like a fish tank, but I could add a small “pond” area with a pump.
  • The tank’s dimensions are about 39.5 cm tall, 27.7 cm wide, and 37.5 cm long, giving around 1.12 square feet of floor space.
  • I’m experienced in setting up planted tanks.
  • Looking at small animals only—no large insects, furry pets, or arachnids for now.
  • I’m not looking for something super active or visible all the time; I’m fine with something low-energy or nocturnal.
  • I’ve kept reptiles before and have done some research into amphibians.
  • Mealworms are readily available for feeding.
  • I prefer something affordable (under $100 CAD).
  • The tank has a front or top door and can be heated as needed.

Animals I’m not considering: fish, furry animals, medium or large bugs, flying insects, ants.

Animals I’m open to: reptiles, amphibians, small insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and plants.

I’ve kept a lot of animals in small enclosures before, but this size is new to me. I’m not ready for a tarantula or scorpion yet, though I might consider them in the future. Any suggestions? I’ll make sure to double-check that 11 gallons is suitable before adding anything. Thanks for your ideas!

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Have you thought about dart frogs? They’re small and look amazing.

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River said:
Have you thought about dart frogs? They’re small and look amazing.

Dart frogs usually need more space, but reed frogs could work in a tank that size. You could probably keep around four, and they’d be happy.

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How small do you mean by “small insect”? You could make a water feature for something like water scorpions or giant water bugs. They’re fascinating and sometimes available online.

If you skip the water feature, your options open up a lot more. Just keep in mind that many insects drown easily. A tank this size might be tricky for most reptiles or amphibians though.

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@Quirin
The water feature isn’t a must-have. By small bugs, I mean anything from springtails to tiny beetles. I’m still leaning towards tarantulas or scorpions eventually, but I might wait until I can get a glass enclosure. For now, I’m open to any animal that fits in 11 gallons.

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I’d suggest reed frogs. Maybe three of them would fit well in your setup.