ReptiFiles received a free 4’x3’x2′ Toad Ranch Reptile Enclosure with a Dimensions background in exchange for an honest review, whether positive or negative. The review below is my honest, objective opinion, but it does contain some affiliate links. To learn why I use affiliate links on ReptiFiles, read here.
There are a lot of reptile enclosure manufacturers to choose from out there. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to reptile keeping or if you’re figuring out how to squeeze an eighth reptile into your current space — the choice can be overwhelming. At first glance, reptile enclosures look pretty uniform, with their only distinguishing features being material, dimensions, and price point. Pick the one that’s the right size, fits your budget, and looks nice enough, and you’re done, right?
Yes…but also no.
There’s actually a lot of variation in reptile enclosures. When I do enclosure reviews, I’m paying attention to the little stuff, like:
- What type of glass?
- How thick is the PVC?
- Does the enclosure come together easily and/or intuitively?
- Do the doors work well?
- How long is this likely to last?
- What are the ‘extras’ that make this product stand out?
“Little stuff” is what distinguishes a cheap enclosure from a middle-grade offering, and the “extras” are what define a top-tier, luxury enclosure.
I get it, spending money on a reptile enclosure is daunting. It’s just a box, right? But it’s a very important box that can make or break how well it meets your pet’s needs by replicating its preferred environmental parameters, as well as meeting your needs by ensuring that you (hopefully) won’t have to replace it in the next 10+ years.
We whine about expense a lot in the reptile community, which results in a proliferation of low-cost enclosures and thrift store furniture conversions (take it from me: 19 times out of 20, it’s a Bad idea) getting the most buzz. And yeah, it seems crazy compared to the dogs and cats we may be used to, or even pet rodents and birds, which also typically have less expensive setups. But we’re far from alone. Just talk to someone in the fish hobby: if the fish community wants a baseline framed 120 gallon enclosure, you’re looking at an expenditure near $500-700 — and that’s before buying a stand strong enough to withstand the weight of all that water. (Fish people, if you’re reading this, don’t crucify me – I got my figures from a quick Google search and I haven’t been anywhere near the hobby for nearly two decades.) And don’t even get me started on horses. Many people who want a pet horse have to pay a separate monthly rent bill to house their pet because they can’t have one on their property.
In other words, we don’t talk much about luxury options in the reptile community. Why pay any more than you have to for your pet, especially when you have multiple? It comes down to the sweet, sweet perks that luxury options offer, such as:
- highly attractive, furniture-like exterior
- highly attractive but still functional interior
- works with life support equipment, and preferably helps hide it from view
- design facilitates better husbandry
- capable of lasting a LONG time without need for significant repair or replacement
To sum it up, a luxury reptile enclosure should be 1) worth the investment and 2) make family members and guests go, “WOW” when they see it, rather than judging you for your choice in pets.
Who is Toad Ranch?
Toad Ranch is a US-based luxury enclosure manufacturer with over 50 years of combined experience housing, observing, and breeding reptiles. Their enclosures are made of a combination of PVC, HDPE, and aluminum mesh, and customization is their specialty. Although they have standard options, if you can dream it, they can make it. I’ve seen these guys make some HUGE enclosures for other customers – the biggest I’ve seen is 12’L x 3’W x 58”H! If you wander around the website for a bit, you can tell Toad Ranch is really passionate about promoting better, more informed reptile care, and I LOVE to see it.
In addition to enclosures and tortoise tables, they offer hoods, stands, reptile hides, Arcadia lighting and heating products, Universal Rocks and adhesive backgrounds, and if you’re a big fan, you can even get a rather nifty handcrafted pottery Toad Ranch mug. (Full disclosure, they were nice enough to send me one as part of this review and I confess I now have a new favorite mug for the copious amounts of herbal tea and cocoa that fuel me. I’m doing my best not to let it bias me, though.)
Toad Ranch is active on social media and posts their builds to Facebook and Instagram so you can get an idea of what they do and how they do it. They’ve also made exhibits for Garden State Tortoise, the Brian Barczyk Reptarium, and Florida’s Wildest (Gatorboys), and they are GORGEOUS. You can watch videos showcasing these special builds on YouTube here.
Toad Ranch displays an impressive number of 5-star reviews on their website, but are they really that good? After all, an enclosure manufacturer can “talk the talk” all day, but it’s quite another thing to “walk the walk.” So let’s dive in!
Product Specs
- American-made ½” PVC body available in black or white
- PVC is free of plasticizers, lead and other heavy metals (VOC-free)
- ¾” HDPE façade available in a variety of colors and textures: driftwood, teak, mahogany, black dragon, whitewash, matte black, matte white
- ¼” tempered glass sliding doors with polished edges
- Built-in side track for sliding doors to insert into and enhance security
- Lower frame/substrate lip available in 3.5” or 6” high (custom depths available by request)
- Choose from a solid or perforated aluminum screen top
- Built-in cord slots
- Optional features:
- Extend the HDPE façade to cover the sides with the Executive Upgrade
- 15”x15” ¼” cast acrylic window can be added to one or both side panels
- Cliff Hanger shelf can be added to back wall – 29” or 41” long
- Photo background can be added to the back wall or all 3 for an immersive effect (42 options)
- Vents can be cut out of the body (Tortoise Shell) or escape-proof round inserts (Insert Style) and arranged on the upper back panel or in a custom configuration
- 4” accessory fan available for additional ventilation
- Up to 4 accessory grommets can be added
- Extra cuts can be requested for probes and misters
- ¼” channel option for heat mat thermostat probe placement on the bottom panel
- Included: print assembly instructions, screws for assembly, screw covers to match the color of the PVC body, acrylic adhesive door pulls
- Ships flat with Philips screwdriver-only assembly (I recommend using a drill)
- Shipping times:
- Lead times vary, but they stand at 8-12 weeks at the time of this review
- Ready-ship enclosures available for same or next-day shipping
- Quick-ship enclosures available with limited customization ship out in 2-3 weeks
- Matching stands and hoods available
Digital instructions for assembly can be found here.
Discussion
Unboxing & Assembly
The enclosure I received for review is a custom-dimensions 4’L x 3’W x 2’H with a woodgrain HDPE façade in White Wash, 6” deep substrate dam, screen top, 2 vents on the back wall, and accessory fan. I requested custom dimensions to provide 12 sq ft of space for my Merauke blue tongue skink, Hermes.
Overall it’s a pretty basic build, considering what Toad Ranch is capable of doing.
The enclosure arrived in pristine condition with no noticeable marks, which is impressive right out of the box! Everything was packed up carefully, and I appreciated that instructions and small pieces were organized inside of easy-to-find manila envelopes.
The enclosure was very straightforward to put together. Maybe it was easier because the last enclosure I put together was from Kages, which has similar construction, but I didn’t need instructions to figure out what goes where. There are pre-drilled pilot holes to tell you where to put the screws and each piece is labeled, and since there’s no frame to worry about, that’s pretty much all you need. Hypothetically you can put it all together with a Philips screwdriver, but I strongly recommend a drill for your own sanity, especially when dealing with larger enclosures.
The glass doors come wrapped in foam sheets for protection, and they were pristine when I opened them up. They popped into the tracks without a problem, and the adhesive door pulls have a nice strong adhesion, so I’m not worried about them falling off in the near future.
Although the fan can be mounted behind one of the rear vents for discretion, I have mine placed on top of the mesh for maximum airflow.
Design & Functionality
At this point I’ve had two 4x3x2 enclosures with no screen top. Both have lots of vents installed in the sides — the one with vents only on top ventilates very poorly without a fan to move things along, while the one with vents on both top and bottom performs better, but tends to get uncomfortably warm. Adding a screen top to these proportions makes a HUGE difference in terms of making light, heat, and humidity all easier to manage. I love that the fan was an inclusion option, as this is something I’ve never seen before for a reptile enclosure, and it speaks a lot for Toad Ranch’s commitment to promoting optimal reptile husbandry.
I’ve been pleased with the Destinations background so far. I’ve used a PetBackdrops adhesive background for my boa enclosure and although it’s held up well enough to water and UV, it’s quite delicate and tears easily. By comparison this seems to be more durable. I’m not worried about it scratching off or getting damaged with normal use, unlike your standard stick-on background. Plus, since it came already attached to the walls, I didn’t have to struggle with installation (which is a big plus for convenience!). I think this has officially converted me to print backgrounds. They brighten the interior, make the enclosure look more spacious, and add color to appeal to the eye while being extremely low-effort, and reasonably priced!
(Granted, 3D backgrounds like Universal Rocks still have a very special place in my heart, but for species where a textured background doesn’t offer much function — for example, a blue tongue skink — a print background is a great way to go.)
I can’t count the number of times I thought, “Wow this enclosure is so gorgeous!” to myself during the build process. In addition to the Destinations background, the front façade really stands out and looks super classy in a roomful of otherwise utilitarian-looking enclosures. It really looks like furniture! The HDPE is not painted, but rather colored all the way through and will not chip, peel, or even fade. Although the HDPE is the material that’s advertised as super-durable, the black PVC is also quite strong and resistant to scratches and other marks.
Summary
Things I Like About Toad Ranch Reptile Enclosures
- So many customization options! If you don’t know what you want, this can get overwhelming fast, but as an experienced reptile keeper, being able to customize just about every aspect of the enclosure makes providing excellent husbandry that much easier.
- Stunning aesthetic. These enclosures really look like luxury, like a piece of a nice zoo in your own home. The effect just gets better as you put multiple enclosures next to each other, making it the perfect way to tie a reptile room together.
- Pre-installed photo backgrounds. The Destinations backgrounds effortlessly increase the naturalism of an enclosure and they’re much more affordable than a textured background. And with 42 options to choose from, it’s fairly easy to find something that looks at least similar to your pet’s natural habitat. Plus, the fact that you can have one adhered to the enclosure during the manufacturing process is SO convenient.
- Assembled during manufacturing. I’m NOT saying that these enclosures arrive pre-assembled. As nice as that would be, the shipping costs would be astronomical. What I AM talking about is that since each enclosure is hand-made, they get put together for a final check (and usually a post to Instagram) before getting flat-packed and shipped out. I love the extra attention to quality control that this shows.
- Easy to assemble. Ease of assembly goes a long way in terms of customer experience with a product, and when something comes together easily, it’s more difficult to make mistakes. Plus, when you already have a busy schedule, the last thing you want to do is stress over figuring out how to put something together.
- Tight seams. The fact that these enclosures come together with screws rather than relying on panels inserted into a frame means that the seams are already quite tight even before you apply the silicone. That does not mean, however, that these enclosures are watertight. If you’re planning on using your Toad Ranch enclosure for a bioactive set up, I strongly recommend taking the time to seal the base with silicone to prevent leaks.
- Mindful PVC. VOCs aren’t something we think about often in context of our reptile’s housing, but considering that our pets are small and much more sensitive to pollutants than we are, it’s a good thing to be aware of. The lack of plasticizers and heavy metals definitely adds peace of mind.
- Lots of attention to ventilation. Ventilation is something that often gets neglected in a reptile enclosure, and usually you just have to choose between a screen top or side vents. Toad Ranch offers any combination and configuration of vents, top mesh, and fans to help reptiles be healthier and more comfortable in their enclosures.
- Highly UVB-permeable mesh. According to my calculations, a relatively high proportion (77%) of light gets through Toad Ranch’s particularly wide mesh. This means you can keep your reptile safe with a physical barrier between it and its lamps while also worrying less about whether it’s getting enough UVB.
- Side door track. Not every enclosure with sliding doors extends the track to the sides of the enclosure. By giving the doors a bit of space to insert into, this design makes it harder for pets to escape.
- Tempered glass doors. As a default, Toad Ranch enclosures all come with tempered glass doors rather than acrylic. This significantly increases the enclosure’s longevity and also helps reduce the risk of escape. Plus, the design of the track and the polish on the doors’ edges ensures that they operate smoothly and quietly.
- Door pulls included. In my mind this should be a default inclusion for all reptile enclosures. It makes opening and closing the enclosure SO much easier, especially if your hands are wet from misting or handling water bowls!
Things I Don’t Like About Toad Ranch Reptile Enclosures
- Top mesh is small relative to the enclosure. Although the top of my enclosure has 12 sq ft (48” x 36”) of room, the screen that was installed only measures 38” x 18” (4.2 sq ft). From my observation this seems to be a common occurrence with larger Toad Ranch enclosures, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is just lack of demand for more, given Toad Ranch’s capabilities. As for myself, I don’t think I actually specified what size I wanted the top mesh to be. As things stand, my setup ventilates just fine, the amount of illumination I can provide and the way I can configure my lamps is significantly limited. This isn’t as much of an issue for my forest-dwelling Merauke blue tongue skink, but it does present a potential hurdle for housing more sun-loving species like bearded dragons and uromastyx.
- Wider mesh is weaker than tighter weaves. In other words, although well-installed, a mesh with 77% open space can’t take as much weight before deforming as, say, a mesh with only 55% open space. This makes sense, since according to my understanding, more metal = more strength. The mesh is strong enough to handle whatever lamps you want to put on top without a problem, and it shouldn’t have any problems with cats, either. (That said, I strongly advise discouraging small children from standing on the mesh.) However, adding a steel dowel or few to the frame could be beneficial for improving general strength without creating a noticeable shadow.
FAQs
Do Toad Ranch enclosures stack well?
Yes. While I can’t speak from my own experience, as I prefer to use industrial shelving for organizing my enclosures to accommodate over-enclosure lighting, keepers who have shared their experiences with me report that stacked TR enclosures are highly resistant to significant bowing or warping over time. Toad Ranch enclosures include “stacking dowels” in their design to help them withstand the strain of stacking.
Is there a difference in performance between the black vs white PVC?
Yes. The white PVC is noticeably softer than the black, which seems to be a universal characteristic of the material. This means that it can be scratched with a fingernail (although you do have to apply pressure to do damage) and is unlikely to stay quite as pristine over time as the black.
Is the white HDPE as soft as the white PVC?
No. The white HDPE is a much more durable material. If you have your heart set on a white enclosure, I recommend doing the Executive Upgrade to cover the PVC with white HDPE and covering all 3 sides of the interior with a photo background to maximize longevity.
What’s the difference between PVC and HDPE?
HDPE is high-density rigid plastic and ultra-durable, made for the harshest conditions. It’s commonly used in marina architecture, luxury boats, outdoor resort cabinetry, and theme park playground equipment.
How much UVB does the mesh block?
According to Toad Ranch, the screen that they use is 79% open space, which means that it lets about 79% of light through (or a 21% UVB block). This makes it one of the most UVB-friendly tops on the market! Here’s the stats for other commonly-used enclosures for comparison:
- Kages = 18% block**
- Toad Ranch = 21%
- Custom Reptile Habitats = 21%
- Zoo Med = 34%**
- Exo Terra = 35%**
- Dubia.com = 43%**
- Carolina Custom Cages = 45%**
- ReptiZoo = 45%**
- Zen Habitats = 45%**
- Toxirium = 49%
*Please note that all listed measurements are approximate and should be allowed a ±5% margin of error.
**Data courtesy of independent testers in the Reptile Lighting community on Facebook, Guide 1.
Do photo backgrounds stress reptiles out?
One of the selling points of reptile enclosures with opaque sides and stone- or wood-imitation backgrounds is that they create a very enclosed environment that helps a reptile feel hidden and safe from predators. This in turn diminishes captive stress. By contrast, photo backgrounds like the Dimensions backgrounds can make an enclosure look like it’s in the middle of a relatively open space. As far as I’ve been able to observe, Hermes does not seem to be hiding any more than he was in his previous black-walled enclosure, and seems to have adapted well to the new environment.
Please note that solid walls are not the only way to help reptiles feel secure in an enclosure — providing plenty of both complete and partial hiding opportunities through the strategic selection and arrangement of enclosure décor is ultimately what is most important.
Conclusion: Toad Ranch has the best PVC reptile enclosures on the current market!
ReptiFiles Rating: 5 stars
At this point I’ve seen and evaluated a lot of reptile enclosures, both formally and informally. Almost every reptile enclosure has something about it that makes it stand out, or at least makes it worth buying: Sometimes it’s the budget price point. Sometimes it’s functionality. Sometimes it’s lightweight. Sometimes it’s aesthetic. Sometimes it’s brand innovation. Sometimes it’s a balance of all of the above. In the same vein, these enclosures also come with significant drawbacks: Sometimes it’s outdated. Sometimes it’s more expensive than it’s worth. Sometimes it’s weak or easily damaged. Sometimes design clashes with functionality. Sometimes it’s difficult to assemble. Sometimes it’s ugly.
Etcetera, etcetera… You get the idea.
It’s tricky to do a review on a manufacturer that specializes in custom enclosures, because I have to balance my own experience with the manufacturer’s capabilities, as well as take into account the experiences of previous customers. As I evaluated the enclosure I received, looked at Toad Ranch’s track record, and explored their website, I can’t be anything but impressed. Blown away, even. Every aspect of Toad Ranch that I looked at held up very well under a microscope, and the fact that Toad Ranch promotes some of the best animal husbandry in the hobby is just icing on the cake.
Toad Ranch’s commitment to helping reptile owners provide the best possible care for their pets is my favorite thing about them. Sure, attractiveness is nice, but if they were just a pretty box with minimal ventilation — even with the fancy materials — I wouldn’t be awarding them 5 stars. It’s the fact that you can customize the ventilation to safely and easily arrange all of the lamps you need, while still having a generous amount of airflow. You can adapt the dimensions to the exact depth of substrate preferred by your animal. The amount of space you can provide isn’t limited by the manufacturer’s inventory. You can add large, strong built-in ledges to safely increase usable space for larger and heavier species. You don’t have to worry about security. And they even go out of their way to emphasize to keepers the importance of preventing direct contact between heating/lighting equipment and the animal. The enclosures and the site leave no room for doubt that animal welfare is Toad Ranch’s top priority.
It’s hard to come up with complaints for this enclosure. If I could change anything, I’d ask for a more generous screen relative to the total top surface area. Call me spoiled, but I like me a full screen top for maximum flexibility in lamp and fan placements. As-is, the mesh on this enclosure was just enough for me to install all of the equipment I needed. The lack of a frame does makes me worry about stacking strength, but Toad Ranch is established enough that if people had complaints about the way these enclosures perform under pressure over time, I would have run across them in my research — after all, people love to complain and criticize! And yes, these enclosures are pricey, but these are high-end luxury enclosures with all of the bells and whistles, not mass-produced budget boxes. If they were less expensive, I’d suspect a scam. As things stand, I think the asking price is very reasonable — Toad Ranch would be justified in charging more.
From sizing to color to backgrounds and special features, a keeper can get really granular about exactly what you want from an enclosure, and Toad Ranch’s can-do attitude comes shining through. Keep in mind, however, that when ordering from Toad Ranch, the functionality of the enclosure you get depends on the choices you make. In theory you could use the customization options to make an overpriced pathogen incubator, but at that point the fault is yours, not the manufacturer’s.
You can get $20 off your purchase by using the link above or entering the coupon code REPTIFILES20
Video originally posted to Toad Ranch’s Instagram
ReptiFiles’ Tips for Success with Toad Ranch Reptile Enclosures
- Use a drill with a Philips bit for faster build time.
- Wear gloves while handling the glass doors to prevent fingerprints.
- Use a ruler when placing the door pulls for symmetrical positioning. Before placing the door pulls, prep the surface by wiping the glass with rubbing alcohol and letting it dry — this will get rid of any dust/skin oils that might interfere with the adhesive.
- If you’re feeling indecisive about which façade option you want, you can order samples to help you decide.
- If you want additional security (for example, you have young children or you have a particularly smart/determined reptile), adhesive door locks are available for purchase from Toad Ranch here.