A locking system for a small animal habitat includes a latch having a strike member and a catch having a first and a second catch section. A portion of the strike member slides over at least on catch section to secure latch to the catch. An end of the strike member slides over the first catch section by the force of gravity. A pet habitat includes a locking system having a latch having a strike member and a catch having a first and a second catch section. A portion of the strike member slides over at least on catch section to secure latch to the catch. An end of the strike member slides over the first catch section by the force of gravity. When the pet habitat is placed in an open position when the top portion is hingedly moved away from the bottom portion and the top portion is released from the open position, the latch engages the catch so that the end of the strike member slides over the first catch section by the force of gravity.
