Ways to Decrease Your Reptile's Stress During an Enclosure Upgrade

Helpful Ways to Decrease Stress When Upgrading Your Reptile to a Larger Enclosure!

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Upgrading your reptile to a larger, more naturalistic enclosure is a great thing to do for their health and welfare; But while more space, better lighting, and a chance for increased enrichment sound like a dream to us, your reptile may initially see it as a terrifying change. Reptiles are creatures of habit, and even positive upgrades can cause stress if not done thoughtfully.

Let’s walk through a few practical ways to make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible for your pet!

1. Keep Key Elements Familiar At First

Your reptile’s current enclosure likely contains hides or enrichment items they’ve become familiar with. When setting up the new space, bring some of their old décor with them—especially their favorite hide and any climbing branches, hammocks, or rocks.

2. Pre-cycle the New Enclosure

Allow lights, heat, and humidity to stabilize for a few days before the move. This ensures your reptile enters a stable environment, not a fluctuating one. Make sure all thermostats are set and monitor temperature and humidity levels throughout the day and night to make sure the conditions match their current setup.

🔁 Stability = security. Your reptile notices when things “feel” off, even if you don’t!

3. Keep it Familiar

Too much space too quickly can overwhelm certain species—especially shy or young reptiles. If possible, put their old enclosure within the new one–or ask how your reptile was previously housed at the breeder—and allow them to come out and explore the new habitat when they feel comfortable.
You can find more about this technique on Lori Torrini’s YouTube channel

4. Avoid Upgrading During Other Stressors

If your reptile is shedding, ill, or was recently brought home, hold off on the upgrade! Even positive changes can be the tipping point to stress-related behavior like refusal to eat, pacing, or hiding.

In fact, if your reptile is new, it’s best to put them through a quarantine period so you can make sure they are healthy and settled in before moving them to their upgraded setup. Don’t worry if this enclosure isn’t perfectly enriching or as big as you’d like; a temporary setup with the bare necessities is perfectly fine for the quarantine period!

5. Limit Handling During the Adjustment Period

Even if your reptile is very used to being handled regularly, it is good to remember that they are already going through a lot of change right now. During periods of change, reptiles can become more stressed. Keep handling minimal for the first 7–14 days unless medically necessary. Give them time to explore and build confidence in their new environment before adding any additional stimulation.

6. Feed When They’re Ready, Not Right Away

Some reptiles may not eat the first day or two after a move, and that’s okay. Don’t try to force feed unless health is at stake—eating comes back once they feel secure again.