Vivarium décor is important for your animals wellbeing as it helps it feel secure. Whether opting for a naturalistic setup or more clinical, quarantine type of environment a reptile still needs places to hide in order to eliminate stress.
Artificial plants are a great addition to any setup as they are, hygienic and easy to clean whilst creating an ideal hiding place for reptiles and live food, particularly arboreal species. They can be combined with real plants to truly enrich an animals environment and their realistic appearance will ensure it blends in without the care required by additional live plants.
Hides should always be provided for the animal, whether in a tub or vivarium. We recommend a reptile has at least three different hiding spots spread throughout the terrarium, this is to ensure the animal never has to choose between it’s desired temperature and feeling secure.
Naturalistic hides can be used in the form of bark pieces and rocks, as well as natural looking resin caves. Though for quarantine setups it is recommended to use plastic hides as their smooth design is easy to clean and disinfect, with no cracks or ridges to trap dirt, parasites and bacteria.
If setting up a fully naturalistic and bioactive enclosure many opt to include a cork bark background to give a more naturalistic backdrop for your animal, as well as provide additional climbing opportunities for the occupant and creeping plants.
Leaf litter also acts as a natural form of cover and allows you to perfectly replicate the forest floor where many reptiles are found. The leaves act as hiding places for custodians and livefood; encouraging naturalistic foraging behaviour. It will also they trap humidity near the substrate which is beneficial for the plants and animals.
