Enclosure Type
glass tank
Floor Space
2.5 sq ft
Dimensions
30"L × 12"W × 12"H
Rat Minimum
4.5 sq ft
Verdict
Too Small ❌
💰 Typical Price: $30–$80
Our Verdict
Based on the floor space and enclosure type analysis above, this enclosure is too small ❌ for a Rat.
Pros & Cons of the 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
✅ Pros
- Decent floor space for the price
- Escape-proof
- Holds burrowing substrate well
- Widely available secondhand
❌ Cons
- Borderline minimum for most small mammals
- Always buy the "long" variant — not the "high"
- Limited ventilation without mesh lid
What Rats Need in an Enclosure
Rats are highly intelligent and need both horizontal AND vertical space, plus enrichment. Multi-level wire cages with 1/2-inch bar spacing are the standard. Rats should always be kept in groups of at least two. Hammocks and ropes must be provided as they are climbing animals.
⚠️ Things to Avoid for Rats
- Bar spacing over 1/2 inch — rats can escape or get stuck
- Solid-walled enclosures with no ventilation
- Housing a single rat alone
- Aquariums — insufficient airflow, ammonia builds dangerously quickly
Other Enclosures for Rats
- 10 Gallon Glass Tank
- 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
- 75 Gallon Glass Tank
- DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- Single Critter Nation
- Double Critter Nation
- IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- C&C Grid Cage (2×4 Grids)
- C&C Grid Cage (2×5 Grids)
- Wire Dog Crate (Medium — 36")
- Wire Dog Crate (Large — 42")
- Heavy-Duty Escape-Proof Dog Crate
- Cat Tree / Condo (72"+ height)
- Indoor X-Pen / Exercise Pen
- PVC Reptile Enclosure (4'×2'×2')
Can Other Pets Live in a 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank?
- 🐹 Hamster in 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
- 🐭 Gerbil in 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
- 🐿️ Chinchilla in 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
- 🐾 Guinea Pig in 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
- 🐇 Rabbit in 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
- 🐱 Cat in 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
- 🐶 Dog in 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
- 🦎 Bearded Dragon in 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank