How to Build a Terrarium for a Reptile

How to Build a Terrarium for a Reptile. A terrarium is like an aquarium for fish, except for land-based animals. In fact, terrarium is derived from the word terra, which means earth in many languages. Terrariums can be a challenging, yet rewarding, experience because it involves designing the perfect captive habitat or eco-system for animals, like reptiles and amphibians. If the terrarium is built properly, the animals will thrive.

Things Needed

• Container
• Aquarium gravel or LECA balls
• Large paint brush
• Sphagnum moss
• Coconut fiber, potting soil or peat moss
• Small plastic plant pots
• Live plants
• Spray foam
• Brown silicone
• Branches
• Driftwood
• Large flat stone
• UV light
• Heat lamp

Step 1

Select an appropriate container for the reptile that will live in the terrarium. Usually, a glass aquarium with a secure lid will do fine, but larger reptiles, like a bearded dragon, may need more floor space. Frogs on the other hand, will need a taller container.

Step 2

Coat the back wall of the terrarium with spray foam, inserting branches and driftwood and small plant pots while it is still pliable. These items can be placed any way you desire to suit the needs of a reptile. For example, if the reptile is a bearded dragon, embed the large flat stone near the top to create a basking spot. If the reptile requires a cooler climate, the rock and basking spot are not necessary. Ensure there are no gaps in the spray foam and wait two days for it to fully dry.

Step 3

Paint the spray foam with the brown silicone using the large paint brush. While the silicone is still wet, stick the potting soil, coconut fiber or peat moss directly to the silicone and ensure that it is thoroughly covered. This will create a naturalistic-looking and textured wall at the back of the terrarium.

Step 4

Fill the bottom of the container with a two-inch thick layer of aquarium gravel or LECA balls. LECA balls are clay balls used for drainage, and they are available at hydroponic stores.

Step 5

Cover the LECA balls or gravel with a layer of sphagnum moss and a layer of the substrate you have chosen for your reptile. The substrate should be a few inches thick, and can be potting soil, peat moss or coconut fiber.

Step 6

Plant any live plants in the substrate as desired, as well as in the plastic plant pots embedded into the back wall.

Step 7

Place the UV light and heat lamp over the enclosure as necessary for the reptile. Some reptiles will not need either lighting, while other reptiles will only need UV lighting.

Warnings

• If branches are used from the outdoors, bake them in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees before using them. This will kill and bacteria or parasites inside of the wood.

References

• Terrarium Man: The Basics of Building Terrariums
• Amphibian Care: Tropical Terrarium Design
• The Garden Management System: How To Build A Terrarium