DIY Naturalistic Enclosure Background for a Bearded Dragon
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- Опубликовано: 27 дек 2024
- A step-by-step guide to help you create a naturalistic reptile enclosure background out of polystyrene and grout! This enclosure houses my Nullarbor Bearded Dragon and was created to look like a little piece of his natural environment.
Let me know what you think in the comments!
Plants Used From Left to Right:
Graptophyllum sp.
Vitex ovata
Leptospermum sp.
Banksia awmula
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I’ve been watching enclosure builds for years now and this is honestly the most beautiful, natural looking enclosure i’ve seen! It belongs in a world-renown zoo somewhere. You did an incredible job, thank you so much for showing us how you put it all together!
Thank you very much!
I agree by far the BEST
lol
@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper how'd you seal the rock? I can't seem to find any answers lol
@@Jay-cz5gjexpanding foam
I think one of the most useful tips that I got out of this was to make extra freestanding rocks, using the same technique as the background. This really helps with keeping the entire enclosure feeling natural, and All allows you to change things up a bit from time to time. So thanks for that!
Amazing enclosure, this has to be one of the best background builds I’ve seen
Thank you!
Wow, that is the most realistic looking enclosure l have ever seen. I just can't imagine it looking more natural than that. That belongs in a museum somewhere. Mam, you are a true artist!!!
This has literally got to be the best naturalistic beardie enclosure I’ve seen amazing work!
Thank you!
It's refreshing to see a lady herpster who also appreciates naturalistic vivarium builds on this platform. Thank you for sharing your process and your work. The outcome is beautiful and inspiring! You are truly an artist!
Thank you! I have such a passion for these amazing critters and just want to inspire more people to keep them as best as we possibly can!
I’m currently working on my first beardie naturalistic enclosure and this has given me sooooo much inspiration for what I wanted to do. I keep hearing so many ppl talk about how bad sand is and so much added to this and I just cannot buy the hype . Seeing a video from someone who would actually know because of her location definitely helps a lot. Thanks for this awesome video!
Thanks! Sand is only bad if the rest of the husbandry is not spot on, impaction becomes an issue when lizards aren't kept warm enough and aren't given a hot enough basking spot.
@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper agree! I opted for the expensive awesome color sand from Australia lol. It’s like 40 bucks a bag here but we’ll worth it because the tank looks awesome and they both have been as happy and healthy as can be .
My bearded dragon Tyfose loves watching your videos.
Wow! This is the best build tutorial I've ever watched. You have a great eye and really made this come alive! I feel like I can do a way better job now on my beardie's enclosure upgrade. Your tips on creating more depth to the rock are easy to follow and practical. Thank you!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it and found it useful! Good luck with your build!!
This is better than any other I've seen. You might consider making morre how-to for Australian habitat terrarium design. This is a gem of a video.
Thank you, I would definitely love to build more and make videos on them, but time is in short supply unfortunately! One day!
Thank you very much. I have been watching all kinds of enclosure building tutorials, this is by far the best I have seen yet! Awesome enclosure!!
Thanks so much!!
This is an incredibly generous "sharing of knowledge video". Such a lot of detail and technique. Thank you.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
I've watched SO MANY build videos, and this is definitely my favorite!
Hey! Thanks so much-needed, glad you enjoyed it!
This is easily the best enclosure build I’ve ever seen and I’ve been looking for inspiration for my beardie for quite some time. Bravo 🎉
Thanks heaps 😊
What a talent you have! Very impressive.
I like this enclosure. It's looks like a tougth space for live, with that rocks and dead branches, but looks so live thanks to the green plants, amazing looking. And enough big for a bearded dragon. I keep one an enclosure like that, with some live plans, and he's been doing great. For spring to end of summer I keep my lizard in an outside enclosure. It's much bigger, put there much big brances and logs for clibing, and he simply love it. Great job....
Thanks heaps!
You make it look easy, but I know it's a real art to make it look so good and you are truly an artist. I think zoos, etc. Would gladly hire you as a consultant to build their naturalistic enclosures, of you wanted to go that direction. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much! We do work at a zoo and have done multiple enclosures there as well
What a beautiful enclosure. Very inspirational 😊
This is incredible, the level of detail and the quality is awesome and it looks completely realistic 😃👍
Thanks heaps!
You hands down have the most realistic finished enclosures I have seen. Your enclosures are beautifully designed. Well done.
Thanks so much!
Great way to inspire people to build their own enclosures!
oh wow this was pretty cool and an aussie. nice to hear a local.
Thanks!
what a great video! Carving out the rock detail with the bamboo skewer just blew my mind.
Thanks! Its all trial and error to find what works best and I just stumbled upon that lol!
Thank you for sharing. That was the most informative video about making backgrounds i've ever seen on yt.
Thank you!
Awesome tutorial, really motivating and it makes me feel like I can make something like this too! A lot of the other tutorials seem quite intimidating but this looks really accessible even for an average bloke like me
Thank you! That was my hope, to explain it in such a way that anyone can give it a go! Its all just practice to find what you like!
Wow, so much work! But absolutely worth it! Looking awsome!
Thank you
Amazing that’s the most realistic DIY rock I’ve seen 😊
I'd love to see how you'd make a 3d bioactive enclosure for a boa constrictor or a ball python! I've never seen an enclosure done so beautifully and thoughtfully of their natural habitat in the wild. 💕 You've got a new follower, and I can't wait to see more of your content!
Thanks so much! Unfortunately being in Australia means we can only own natives so no Boa or Ball Python builds! But I'm sure you could adapt the techniques to suit them😊
Most depth on any background I've seen thus far on RUclips. I've been asked to build quite a large reptile enclosure so I'm doing my due diligence. Now I have to find some videos on waterproofing. I really think you did a fantastic job
Thank you!
Wow. Very impressed with your artistic abilities, making this setup look so natural! Great tutorial too!
Thank you 😊
Just plain Incredible!! Wow!!
Thank you 😊
Really enjoyed this. You've got an eye for detail...and camera angles.
The detail maybe, camera angles I'm not so sure about🤣 still trying to work out this filming stuff!!
You are absolutely amazing. The best I’ve ever seen.
I am building a really large enclosure and have been looking for something just like this. I agree with others, your work is museum/zoo quality! Well done!
Thank you 😊
So much more informative and detailed than all the other how to tutorials..... You've given me a boost of confidence to have a crack at it myself 🙂...... You're enclosure looks absolutely amazing 👌👌👌🤟🤟🤟
Thanks so much! And definitely have a go at making one, its all trial and error and the more you do the better you will get at it 😊
@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper already 2 days into the process and loving it 👍
Really awesome natural looking desert-ish looking!
Such an amazing job! Wish you were in Canada! Your work is incredible!
Thanks so much! 😊
One of the best Diy backgrounds I have seen on RUclips. Thank you for the detailed explanation of how you painted the grout.
Thank you! I'm glad you found it useful!
Yeah I’d agree this is absolutely fantastic and definitely one of the best builds.
Thank you😊
Amazing work! Excited for your channel :)
Thank you 😊
This is the best DIY background on RUclips. If i saw this video earlier, i would have attempted it myself. I brought the hot foam cutter but opted to buy one as i wanted a realistic look. I now wish i didn't spend £200 on a rockways background. But i am really happy with my enclosure, but lighter in my pockets😁
Thanks heaps! There is always future enclosures you can have a go at building yourself 😉
Oh my gosh!!!!!!! You are very talented!!!!!! Your work is absolutely amazing!!!!!!!
Thank you!
This technique is amazing! I will most definitely be using the spray rock-aging technique on my grout!
Thank you and good luck!
Absolutely love this and the whole concept of the channel. I try to keep all of my reptiles in enclosures as close to their natural habitat as possible and hope to one day be as creative as you and make them look like this instead of just the usual cork bark, branches, plants, soil mix etc. Also nice to see someone who actually knows first hand what a beardie's habitat looks like and not just making it look like the Sahara 🤦♂️
Thanks so much! Yes thats why I like to include the field herping videos to give people an idea of the actual habitat their animal comes from, I think that is so important when designing an enclosure
@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper 100% agree, my sister in law is from Sydney and my brother met her while travelling across Oz so I was able to ask them for more detail on the climate and habitat. If I see one more box of sand video for a beardie enclosure I'll crack up. Keep the great vids coming. Unfortunately we've almost no reptiles in Ireland so I can't help with habitat advice on native species 😂😔
Absolutely stunning! Best tutorial and i watched a lot of tutorials.Thank you so much!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks heaps!
That is the best and most life-like background I've seen. It's awesome well done. Will be using some of these techniques for my Ackies new home. Thank you for making the video.👍
Thanks heaps
Loved it how it turned out! Really good tutorial!
It looks more natural than nature itself.
Thank you 😊
best i've seen, most real and natural looking. Amazing work!
Thank you!
Some serious talent building these enclosures!!! Amazing 🤩
Wow, can’t thank you enough. What a wonderful video. So well done. You have inspired me.
Thanks heaps! And glad it helped with some inspiration!
I’ve watched many videos on enclosures I’m getting ready to build a big one for a snake . And yours was one of the best I’ve seen !!! It goes threw each step simply a lot r over complicated and make it seem pretty complicated , and yours was a great tutorial. Thanks I hope you make more of them and I’ve subscribed just in case .
Thank you! I'm glad you found it easy to follow! I will definitely have more build videos coming in the future
I need a tutorial on building the enclosure 😭😭
You're the first Australian RUclipsr for this type of content I've seen and I'm so happy but I need you to tell me where you got everything and what everything is
This is so amazing and exactly what I've been looking for thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Amazing, so much detail! Great filming and great step by step easy to understand instructions. Thank you
Thank you 😊
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your tricks!
I really enjoyed watching.
I am glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 😊
Best buil I've ever seen! Bravo! Subscribed
Thanks heaps!
What If you wanted to do a rainforest terrarium? I really really like this tutorial, one of the best results, If Not the best I have seen.
You can definitely do this background for a rainforest enclosure, I will actually be doing one for Boyds Forest Dragons in the coming months so stay tuned for that
@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper I am really looking forward to that now, thanks for the fast answer. Was Just worried about the humidity maybe seeping to deep into the grout and causing mold or something Like that. Keep Up the great work! I will Most definetly use this tutorial for my next enclosure 👍
@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper It would also be great, If you could link the type of grout etc you used. Thanks in advance:)
I've built some humid enclosures before and never had issue with mould in the grout.
The foreground is noice too
Thanks 😊
Great Video! Can't believe, that out of 22k views, less than 1k liked it! I bet you more than that found it useful and used some of your techniques.
Thanks for making it ✌
Thanks heaps!
Great video would love to see more of this kind of content on your channel
Thanks heaps! We have a few more videos in the making!
This has really helped me with the setup I was looking for I've got a field near me with sand cliffs I wanted try replicate in a viv for my sungazer
That sounds like it will be amazing once done! Good luck with the build
One of the best 'naturalistic enclosure built' video I've ever seen! I also watched your other video and I cannot wait for more and more!! So inspiring, and so much passion in your work! That is the channel what I lookin for years :D You really love what you do, keep going!
Thanks so much! Great to hear you are enjoying the content!
Awesome! I just got a 5ft enclosure and going to do a tropical bioactive enclosure for a spotted python. Being a 5ft tank it's going to have plenty of room.
Oh that sounds amazing! Thats one lucky spotted!!
This is a realy awesome job!! This is the best Natural (desert) terrarium I have seen on RUclips! It suprised me that this video haven’t got many likes..? What you did is just my hobby to! Only I make European Natural habitats 👌🏻 I cann’t wait to see more!
Thanks so much! It is a great hobby and I'm just happy to share some tips and hints with other keen reptile keepers!
@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper thanks for the new insperation! if you are curious what I made, check on Pinterest and search for BemmelPhotography and than click on vivariums 😊
I'll go check it out!
Great video! probably one of the best how to videos I've seen for a reptile enclosures, I don't know how you can have so many dislikes for this video but I guess the likes out way them, awesome channel 😎🐍
Thank you! You can never please everyone lol
@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper True, I'll share this on one of my groups, it might get you more subs.
Thank you for posting. It looks great and it's motivating
Thanks heaps😊
Definitely put your work in. Nice job
Absolutely amazing! This helped!
Thanks!
Nicely done. Looks amazing!
Thank you😊
Girl I 've been watching foam backgrounds videos for 5 days trying to find rock formation inspiration to carve mine. This has to be in the top 2 if not the best I've seen. I wish you had a tropical, wet type background because that's what I'm going for but this is amazing and I'm a very hard judge usually. Keep the good work
Thanks so much!! It is a work of love and I strive to mimic nature as close as I possibly can! Good luck with your build!
I was tossing around a few ideas for the one I’m making and now you have solved that for me .
Good well explained vid lovely rock face and colours.well done .👌
Thanks so much and glad it helped!
Unreal build! I’m looking at hopefully doing one myself in the near future and this tutorial will help a lot.
Just wondering if you use any type of water proofing at the end? Does the paint and textures of colours get affected if it’s to say get wet or have the reptile do it’s business on it.
Hi! Thanks heaps! I don't use a sealer as it tends to make it look wet and I don't like that for dry looking rocks, I haven't had an issue with waste material staining it, i just scrub it off with a toothbrush and water to clean it.
If you are concerned about sealing it in, there is a matte acrylic/water based sealant/topcoat available at any hardware/craft store or even Wal-Mart.
It’s beautiful
Thanks so much 😊
Thanks so much! I really love your channel!
I thought those were real rocks! This is the best one I've seen! Can I please ask how much this weighs in the end?
I have not tried to pick it up.... it would be a lot, although we recently moved some enclosures that have been set up in a similar manner and although they were definitely heavy, they were manageable with a few sets of hands!
Unbelievable!!
Thank you!
Man I wish I had the time and patience to do something like this..... Lucky Dragons
This is nuts! Just crazy awesomeness!
Thank you!
wow that's the best enclosure build I've seen can't wait to use your techniques in my leos enclosure
but I have a question did you seal the grout when you applied it or did you just use the grout all by it self
WOW!! Simply like in nature :O gj
Thank you! Nature is the best inspiration!
absolutely amazing. beautiful and so natural.
Thank you!
AMAZING WORK 🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻
Hi this is a great vid thanks! What kind of grout should I be looking for (uk) any tips please? I would like the end result to not require a 'varnish' or shiney finish like yours.
Any standard grout from your local hardware store will be fine, I don't use anything in particular, just whats in stock. You would only get the shiny finished look if you used a sealer over the grout.
Incredible!
Thank you😊
I love this display case u made i have a six foot by two foot by four foot tall all glass display case i just build a sweet picnic table i build tall cabnet for climbing lizard or snake with live plants inside like u did almost i start gathering supplies soon i try hard get my 18 year old soon to be son been distance as hell from me for way to long he used to do all this stuff with me he still does but hopefully he help and i offer him the display case to have after cause i will not have room for it anymore.
Really great work! You have been inspirational to me and doing some of my first terrarium work! Your grout information was really useful when I attacked my giant 2 1/2 m x 1 1/2 m background.
excellent best basework i have ever seen
Thanks so much!
Nice art work, very impressive
Thank you!
Beautiful and incredible!
Thank you!!
Amazing work! Thank you for the information I am excited to try some of your techniques
Have fun! And good luck with the build!
You are absolutely talented 😻I'm not that talented, but I think I could start on a smaller scale. I was thinking of making my own basking platform for a 4'x2'x2' enclosure for my beardie.
Great video, can’t wait to try out some of the techniques on my next build! What sort of lighting do you use to keep the plants alive ?
I am using a mid range LED bar light that is 6500k from ebay
Just a follow-up of sorts. I've just completed a second build for my son's Uromastyx, Rose (Cleo, the Leopard Gecko is next!) and everything went smoothly. I did NOT use a sealer this time out and the project was completed in at least half the time. Again, thanks for all the helpful tips (added a few extra hides for her due to the heat). FYI, I moved this video over to a hard drive so I can watch bits-and-pieces as I work ... sometimes, just watch it to relax, too! You're right about the sanded-grout being durable for cleaning; I manage to scrape a layer of skin off the back of my hand whilst cleaning a hide! Cheers!
I'm so glad your build worked out! Thats great! And yes it is very durable, and holds up well to scrubbing as well!
Best looking set up. Well done. But you didn't mention about sealing the rocks after painting, as the beardies' claws will scratch and break the foam after a few weeks, especially if he climbs high.
Thanks heaps! The grout is pretty thick and hard so no risk of his claws digging through it. I have used concrete instead of grout on other enclosures when the inhabitants are monitors or large dragons and some of those have been in use for many years and I've never had an animal dig through. If you were just using foam and paint then this could definitely be an issue though
@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper Thanks. I guess if I mix some sand with the grout, that will harden it also.
That’s an incredible effort ! Thanks for posting!
Little Video? Nothing small about it. Excellent details, excellent work. Great! Large! Wonderful!
Q: how do you clean up stool, or for that matter, find it to clean it up? I have a spray that decomposes matter but first I grab most of it to toss and then I spray it. I'm supposing my spray would begin to kill off the plants 🙍. Q: how do you keep the live plants? Spray them and that is all? Won't they consume their planting mix? My potted plants consumer their soil and I have to replace it or top it off until needing transplanted. Thank you. You did an amazing thing for the baby. Do you have more? I'm gonna look for videos but just wondering.
Thanks for your reply! So with a bioactive set up, the inhabitant creates waste that the clean up crew eat and turn into their own waste, it is that waste that the plants feed on, so while you will need to top up the soil level occasionally its not a static environment, there is constantly new 'fertiliser' going into the system. The plants all have different requirements in terms of lighting and a watering schedule, so its important to research the plants you are using and make sure you provide them with what they need to keep them growing.
thank you and Ill be back! lol
Good setup mate I'm just started my bio active setup good plant to use is basil 😊
very nice work love the look
Thank you
It looks great! Does the heat from the lamps not affect the styrofoam (melting, getting soft)??? Do you have any special lights for the plants? Or are they good with the UVB/A lights??
Did you 'steralize' the leafs and stuff you collected outside in a oven because of fungi, mites, parasites, or the soil? And did you use a special arid kind of pillbugs for the cleanup crew??
Stay healthy, thanks from Germany.
Hi there! No the heat doesn't worry the foam as long as you have a good layer of grout on it. Yes I am using plant grow lights in these, which ones I use depends on the species of plants and their light requirements. Normally I use a combination of cheap led lights for low light plants and for those that require more I use led plant lights from ebay. No I don't sterilise anything from outside, most comes from my garden or out in the bush where I know there are no chemicals and nothing else on them will worry anything in the enclosure. I am just using the local isopods I collected and cultivated from my garden. Hope that helps!
this is incredible!! would love a video on how you built the enclosure itself!! keep it up
Thank you! I have had a few requests for this so will do one next tank build!
100% agree love to see one off the tank itself being built.
And more so materials like pine from say bunnings if you use that or it actually dose make the reptiles not so happy.