Tropical Reptile Terrarium Ideas

After getting some experience caring for geckos using simple habitats containing nothing more than a paper-towel substrate, water dish and disposable hiding spot, you can try increasing the complexity of the habitat. There are a variety of ways to upgrade, including adding live plants or incorporating elaborate backgrounds and cage props. Though some additions to the habitat are purely aesthetic and only benefit the keeper, items like plants provide increased humidity and additional hiding spaces, thus benefiting both you and your lizard.

  1. Potted Plants

    • The simplest approach for adding plants to a terrarium is to use potted plants, which can be moved around or removed if they fail to thrive. Small, shade-tolerant plants should be selected, and the plant̵7;s water and humidity requirements should align with your gecko̵7;s humidity needs. Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is an excellent choice for the terrarium and can even be grown hydroponically, with the roots submerged in water rather than soil. Geckos from arid habitats should share their cage with succulents or small, spineless cacti. Before introducing any plants to the terrarium, be sure to rinse them to remove pests or pesticides. If replanted in soil, use an organic potting soil mix without perlite.

    Buried Plants

    • Plants can be planted directly into the substrate for a more natural look. This is exceptionally more difficult than using potted plants, however, and it doesn̵7;t allow the habitat to be broken down easily for maintenance. Gravel is generally used as a base level, on top of which soil or custom-blended substrates are used. Golden pothos, ferns and plants of the genus Philodendron are good choices for planting directly in the substrate. When plants are planted directly in the soil, a bioactive substrate can be employed, which when carefully balanced uses microorganisms present in the soil to break down the lizard's waste for the plant's use.

    Epiphytic Plants

    • Epiphytic plants grow on tree branches, vines or similar elevated places. They derive their water and nutrients from the air, sometimes collecting water in the plant̵7;s base. By using flexible wire, these plants can be attached throughout the terrarium. There are dozens of epiphytic species that are acceptable for use in the terrarium, notably bromeliads and plants of the genus Tillandsia.

    Custom Backgrounds

    • Custom-made terrarium backgrounds can help any cage stand out as the centerpiece of a room. Backgrounds can be made from a photograph attached to the back of the cage or by placing faux rocks, cliffs and tree trunks inside the cage to provide a 3-D background. Fake rocks and other props can be made from polystyrene blocks that are cut to a desired shape, covered in grout and then sealed. Natural substances like tree bark or coconut husk can also be attached to the cage walls to produce a rainforest-like background. Attach props firmly in place with silicone so the inhabitants won̵7;t dislodge them.

    Custom Hides and Cage Floor Props

    • Rather than hunt around outside for a stick that fits your gecko̵7;s cage perfectly or a rock that makes an interesting cage prop, make your own. Most custom-built features like these are constructed out of a carved polystyrene or a flexible wire-mesh skeleton that is covered in plaster, grout or similar adhesive. On top of the adhesive, sprinkle sand or attach bark sections. To make props look real, add details like moss to bark surfaces and use different colored sands for different artificial rocks.