Natural Looking vivarium...

MexMex · #1 (**permalink**) 26-09-2007, 08:19 PM

Hi, has anyone got any pics of a natural looking vivarium like the kind of ones in the exo-terra pics because they look brilliant and I want some help of how to achieve them but i dont want to use real plants or anything so any help will be greatly appreciated

Johelian · #2 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 11:38 AM

Are these any good?

It largely depends on what youre housing; some species can be really destructive (which is why our tegu doesnt currently have a naturalistic setup). Aboreal vivs are great for heavy-planting! Since this viv is wood, all of the branches are secured to the viv itself to create a basic network of climbing areas and then the plants are secured to the walls and branches using cable ties. I wouldnt know how to go about doing the same thing in an exo-terra glass terranium though...perhaps you have to buy a background first and then just stab fake plants into it?

jamie_coxon · #3 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 12:17 PM

jamie_coxon · #4 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 12:18 PM

empty at the moment and not finshed. but thats an exo terra 30z30x45 cms viv

MexMex · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 12:47 PM

thanks for the pics they are all great! i wished my viv's looked that good! where did you all get your large branches and things, all i can seem to find is really expensive java stuff

Johelian · #6 (**permalink**) 29-09-2007, 05:35 PM

The branches came from local woodlands - we got lucky recently as a section had been felled and there were loads of cut-up branches. If you get "fresh" branches make sure that they are from a type of tree safe for reptiles - some of them have sap that can be poisonous or irritant. We usually strip the bark off all of our branches as well to be on the safe side! Old dry branches that are sap and bark free are usually ok, but make sure they arent rotten or filled with fungus or woodworm/other bugs.