Things Reptiles and Keepers Do to Their Enclosures That Would Horrify an Interior Designer

Interior designers want clean lines, coordinated colors, symmetry, and a cohesive aesthetic.

Reptiles have no concept of things like "interior design", "clean lines", or "trendy aesthetics".

These two worlds are… not compatible.

Here’s the stuff that our reptiles (and us as keepers) do to their enclosures that would make any designer walk out of their job instantly.

1. Scratching Up the "Windows"

Back and forth, back and forth..

Glass surfing can be attributed to high stress levels in several species of reptile like bearded dragons and Chinese water dragons. 

Not only do reptiles not understand interior design, but they also do not understand the concept of glass.

That's why it's important that their habitat has 3-solid walls and plenty of areas for them to feel safe! 

2. Smearing Poop on the Walls

Aren't Leachianus geckos just painters in their own right? 

Admittedly, their medium of choice is quite foul, but we've got to give it to them – They are passionate about their craft! 

3. Keeping The House at 75% Ambient Humidity!

It sounds like a total recipe for disaster in OUR homes; Could you imagine the level of mold? 

But thank goodness we have great airflow, ample ventilation, and little bugs that clean up the decaying organic matter that leads to mold growth!

4. The Lighting is “Bright, Harsh, and Scientifically Necessary”

We take "the BIG light" to the MAX.
Forget soft, ambient lighting. 

We want UVB penetration. Maximum heat absorption. 6500k, 4500 lumens, 14 hours per day. Basically, we want to replicate the sun inside of our reptile's home. 

It might not be the cozy living room vibe that interior designers are going for, but it's all the rage for mid-day basking reptiles! 

5. Plants Are Planted Wherever the Animal Says They Can Be

Designers carefully arrange plants as an accessorizing tool to help balance a space.

We put them where humidity is best, where roots won’t get dug up, and where we think a lizard won’t bulldoze them, or a snake won't steamroll right over and flatten them.

Sometimes the enclosure ends up looking like:

• a winding maze of pothos vines that may or may not have leaves

• an empty corner where a fern used to be

• a philodendron holding on for dear life

6. Releasing Live Insects on Purpose

Bugs running around and breeding in someone's house would result in a swift call to the pest control company, but we release live insects into our reptile's homes on purpose!

And we create the ideal environment for them to breed and multiply. 

Our bugs aren't pests – they're actually little housekeepers! 

Hundreds of tiny bugs work hard day and night to keep organic matter in check so our reptile's enclosure doesn't get dirty. 

7. We Purposefully Add Dirt, Leaves, and Natural Debris Everywhere

Dirt, rocks, sticks, leaves, pinecones – You name it.

If it's a natural , we're adding it!

Maybe it's not quite the same as the perfectly curated area rug tying the space together, but our reptiles prefer the look of the forest floor!

8. Climbing the Walls

Most people don't have climbing walls in their home, but reptiles make use of all of the area given to them in an enclosure. 

That means if the walls can be climbed, they WILL be climbed!

Reptile enclosure design and interior design are wildly different endeavors.

However, no one is saying that your reptile's enclosure can't blend seamlessly into your curated aesthetics! 

With intentionally designed enclosures and an eye for recreating a slice of the wilderness, your reptile's home can be a statement piece in your favorite room!