Overview
Building an aesthetic reptile enclosure can be tricky. You want it to be functional for your pet but you also want it to look good. In this article we will share some tips that can help to make your reptile’s enclosure look more naturalistic without breaking the bank.
1. Substrate
The fastest and easiest way to improve the look of your enclosure is to pick the right substrate. Many people like to use paper towels and news paper for their reptiles. These do work very well and they make cleaning easy, but they are a bit of an eyesore. Swap these out for a natural looking substrate that mimics your reptile’s natural habitat. Just be sure to do your research and choose one that is safe for your species and meets the proper requirements for humidity, moisture, etc.
Bonus Tip: Slope the substrate up towards the back of the enclosure to create depth and make the enclosure look larger.
2. Background
A proper background is often something that is overlooked and forgotten about when setting up an enclosure. A backdrop can completely transform a setup. It take what was once just a glass box and make it look like a little chuck of the outdoors. Not to mention it can reduce your reptiles stress levels by making them feel more enclosed and comfortable in their habitat. There are endless options for backgrounds. You could buy pre made backgrounds, create or own out of silicone and dirt, or even tape black poster-board to the outside of the enclosure to create contrast. Think about what you want your enclosure to look like and how much time and money you are willing to spend.
Links:
3D Rock Background 3D Cork Bark Background
3. Real or Fake Plants
Next add some greenery. Whether they are real or fake plants make your reptiles enclosure look so much better and make the space feel more lively. They also give your pet some enrichment and keep them stimulated and happy. If you are building a tropical enclosure add some vines, ferns, flowers, and other tropical looking plants. If you are going for a more dry or arid enclosure consider adding various succulents, grasses, and other desert plants. If you chose to add real plants make sure to research what is safe for your reptile and what will survive in their conditions.
Links:
Tropical Fake Plants Pack Desert Fake Plants Pack
4. Hides and Water/Food Bowls
Hides are an important thing for your reptile but they are also great way to add some useful decor to your enclosures. To create a more natural look choose rocky or wood hides. Half logs are also a great option and they look amazing. Don’t forget about water or food bowls again pick one that has a natural appearance and matches the look of your reptiles habitat.
5. Extra Decor
Okay now we are on to the final touches. To really tie in the look of your enclosure add things like branches, sticks, rocks, logs, leaf litter etc. You can buy these in store or online or go outside and find your own. Although outside material will need to be properly disinfected to kill any bacteria or parasites. These give your reptile some clutter and things to climb and explore. Small details like this can transform your enclosure from good to great and add that extra touch that makes all the difference.
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6. Color Scene/ Theme
It is important to keep in mind the overall theme/look you are going for. Clashing colors and types of decor can start to make your enclosure look a bit tacky. If you are after a tropical look stick to darker woods, branches, and rocks. Choose plants that look like they belong in the jungle these typically have deep and more saturated greens and colors. You can also add some flowering plants for a pop of color in the enclosure. If you want a more arid or dry looking build stick to lighter, dull colors. Pick colors like tan, yellow, and beige when getting hides or rocks. Add plants that can be found in the desert and need little water. Stuff like small succulents and dry grasses are great options. If you are unsure it is always a good idea to look at reference photos of your reptile’s natural habitat and use that as inspiration.
7. Take Your Time
All good things come with time so take your time when building your enclosures. Experiment will different materials and styles. Don’t be afraid to move things around multiple times until you find what looks best. Also don’t overthink it not everything in nature is perfect. Some times and messy and free design will look better than a clean and organized one. Just relax, loosen up, and have fun.
Conslusion
I hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks to improve your reptile enclosures, but remember these are just my opinions and you don’t have to follow them. Do what you want and what makes you happy after all it is your enclosure not mine. As always if you enjoyed this post feel free to check out some of our others for more reptile and pet content. Thanks for reading and have fun designing your enclosures!
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