Reptile & Amphibian Hides

A Note Regarding Artificial Hides & Huts

As the years have passed, our company has narrowed it's focus almost exclusively towards living terrarium ecosystems. With that in mind, we've dropped most of the artificial Hides & Huts from our lineup, as we continue to expand our wood decor & live plant selection. Artificial hides can be made to look right in a live vivarium ecosystem, but other times they can look a bit cheesy. Below, we'll briefly run-through our thoughts on the use of artificial hides in living environments.

Above: Artificial Hides In Live Vivariums

Where Artificial Hides Are Appropriate

Animal welfare comes before anything else, every time. If an animal's needs can be better met using an artificial hide, by all means do so! Certain Geckos, Snakes, and other terrestrial critters seem to love spending time in their "Rock Cave" (or similar) hide, and we can't argue with an animal's personal preference. Another example would be species which prefer to breed in a specific type of hide. When presented with the option, terrestrial dart frogs (Phyllobates, Dendrobates, etc) almost always choose to breed in Coconut Huts with Petri Dishes beneath them. Lastly, temporary and non-live terrariums are obvious choices for artificial hides.

Above: Natural Hides In Live Vivariums

Where Artificial Hides Aren't Recommended

In many cases, adequate hiding spaces can be provided in a bioactive terrarium by working with appropriately selected live plants or wood decor. Whenever possible, that is our preference. Wood decor can be incorporated into Custom Backgrounds, and those can have multiple little hides built in while maintaining a naturalistic appearance. Live plants can offer natural cover that changes over time, increasing levels of enrichment for the animals in your care. It doesn't take much effort to put a natural hiding spot together, and it's often a more rewarding experience.

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