hey all, this is just a quick step by step of the process i went through to make the new pancake tortoise vivarium. I have used this method before for the vivariums that house my lizards but this is the first time i have been able to incorporate it into a tortoise enclosure.


This is the space i had to work with, it is 3x2x2 modular viv and was used for a royal python. i removed the doors and plastic lid to give me easy access.



I had been collecting lots of polystyrene to make the structure of the rock wall and also some lightweight rocks to stop the entire viv being too heavy to move. I found an old polystyrene exoterra background that had been eaten by crickets and found it to be a very good fit once i had trimmed it down.



i decided to make a rocky plant pot holder with some left over polystyrene and cut it into a very rough shape and then covered it in spray on expanding foam.




then after i had fitted the polystyrene to the back and walls of the viv i began to cover all of it in a few thin layers of grout. I waited until it had dried between layers and did 4 coats of white grout to make sure it was evenly covered. I made a few artificial rocks and a plateau with left over bits of polystyrene and covered them in grout too.



after the white had set i started to build up the colour. The research i did suggested that alot of the rock formations ( or kopjes) where pancakes live in the wild are made of sandstone. so i bought some sandstone to give me a basic pallette of colours to work from. I was lucky enough to find sandstone grout to save me painting the first layer.



then i got my acrylic paints out and a stippling brush. i mixed some accenting colours and slowly added depth by creating shaded areas in the crevices.



so that was the inside pretty much done. just for the landsacaping now. At the local garden centres i found alot of different colours of sandstone so i bought a few. it came in whopping big (heavy) lumps. I got Barry to split it along the natural fault lines where it was possible to create some caves and ridges. this is what i started with.



Then i put in the substrate, and started to add the rocks. I did add some of the fake rocks to save weight and even then it still weighs a ton. this is the finnished viv, just needs electric doing now and they are being delivered next week. i am collecting my pancakes on the 26th. I will be making a new bigger enclosure after christmas and will be using the same methods as with this one.

WOW so cool what a great job you done there.......

How much did it end up costing to make ..if you dont mind me asking????

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"I MISSED YOU!!! BUT MY AIM IS IMPROVING!"....

2 Texas Leucistic Ratsnakes
1 Coastal Carpet Python
2 Royal Pythons
1 Snow Corn
1 Bloodred Corn
1 Lavender Corn
1 Black Black Albino Ratsnake x Snow Corn (with possibe Leuscistic genes)
1 Uncontrollable Inner monster
...& an evil twin.

MY RICE CRISPIES TOLD ME TO DO IT!

the polystyrene was about £5 for a few sheets, the grout (white) was £9 and the coloured grout was £6, expnading foam £8 and then all the rocks were about £11. i already had the viv and the paints. so all together about £40. we had a great time doing it, the kids loved getting all messy and it doesnt have to be perfect, the faults and flaws is what makes it look more natural.

Thats excellent, Ali! Thanks so much for sharing. I have just cleared out a space to start on my pancake enclosure, I can't wait to do it, although doubt it will be as good as yours

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you would be suprised. its easy. i have made a few rockscapes this way, and it doesnt have to pefect because its supposed to be organic lines and forms. So the odd "mistake" makes it look better. There is a great thread by hadesdragon in the habitat section. he made a full size 4ft viv for his beardy and it looks great. we have plans to do a double 5ft viv stack for our female beardies oround september/october.

I have always preffered the more natural looking vivariums for our animals, with the exception of the royals. The male trashes his house no matter what i put in it! Our water dragon has a stunning viv with real planting climbing all over the place and a fogger to keep the humidity up, i was thrilled when i finnished the cwd viv, it really couldnt have turned out better.

That is wonderful perfect for pancakes.

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umm... i don't know how to say this... but... ummm... i'm totally jealous. Where did you learn to do that?

You do realize that some people make big bucks at doing what you make look so simple.

This post alone... is a chapter in a book.

Very impressive...

Ed , would you like the REALLY detailed pics? i keep a picture diary on every single project i do. My kids have written articles for school on our mad projects.

About two years ago i tried to find a college/university that could create the perfect balance of courses so i could get a qualification in a combination of horticulture, zoology and habitat management. Nobody could help me at all. What i would really REALLY like to do is design enclosures for exhibits in zoos and parks. I am pretty good with my hands and can think outside the box, big time. I love gardening and am pretty good with researching plants. i love making naturalistic enclosures and always try to put as much natural planting as possible. i love the researching most of all.

Thankd for the comments people!

Are you in the London area?

i am in the NW about 15 mins from manchester airport. but i do have familly in Milton keynes.