How to Make a Reptile House

Before constructing a reptile house, keep in mind what size your reptile is going to be when it is fully grown. Ideally, reptile houses should measure approximately 3 square feet for each foot in length of the animal. Reptile houses are constructed of glass, melamine or wire cage. Plastic is not a good material to use for reptile houses. The furnishings of your reptile house will depend upon your class of reptile and the climate that is necessary for the health of that animal. Temperate climates are dry with an occasional water misting, with temperatures ranging between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Tropical climates are hot and humid with temperatures in the low 90s.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass enclosure
  • Ventilation hood
  • Light fixtures
  • Heat lamps
  • Bleach
  • Water
  • Rocks
  • Mulch substrate
  • Driftwood
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare your glass enclosure by cleaning it thoroughly with a mild soap and water mixture. Make sure that the enclosure is completely rinsed and dried.

    • 2

      Attach your ventilation hood to the top of the glass enclosure per the manufacturer's instructions. This will keep the airflow circulating throughout your terrarium.

    • 3

      Attach light fixtures and heat lamps per the manufacturer's specifications. Heat lamps should be mounted approximately 10 to 14 inches away from the reptile's basking area so that the animal is not burned.

    • 4

      Apply a mulch substrate on the floor of the glass enclosure. The substrate should be a few inches thick for burrowing.

    • 5

      Arrange rocks in a formation that the reptile can wind around or tunnel through. Most reptiles enjoy having a bit of privacy and this provides them an area for sleeping. Clean the rocks in a light bleach and water solution to rid them of any harmful traces that could cause your reptile to get sick. After washing the rocks, thoroughly rinse them in water and allow them to dry before adding them to your reptile house.

    • 6

      Add a piece of driftwood to the enclosure near the basking lamp area for the reptile to lounge. The driftwood should be cleaned in a mild bleach and water mixture before being introduced into the reptile house. Soak the driftwood in a bleach and water solution for one day and then soak it in plain water for another day to remove the bleach prior to adding it into the reptile house.