Building Your Own Reptile Habitats
There are many questions when it comes to what type of habitat would be best for a reptile. There are so many ideas out there. Some resources contradict each other while others stand totally alone with their idea of what makes a good habitat. No matter what the discussion is about - good, bad, best, and better - there are always a few points you MUST remember when building any habitat, for any animal.
Temperature and Humidity
Every reptile has different temperature requirements and humidity needs. It wouldn't make sense to build a habitat that will maintain high humidity for a bearded dragon who only needs about 40% humidity; about the same as the wilderness of Australia where bearded dragons originate. Also, it would be detrimental to an iguana to be kept in 40% humidity when they require about 65% humidity to mimic their native tropical environments. What does your reptile need? Where are they native to and what is that humidity like? Likewise, what is the temperature like where your reptile is from?
Size of your habitat vs. reptile
Some reptiles like to be in smaller habitats when they are young because they feel less threatened, some snakes are like this. Other reptiles, however, will take advantage of any size habitat and the bigger it is the better for them, like bearded dragons. Make sure you know just how big your reptile will get when full grown so you can plan accordingly. You can start small with plans in mind for increasing the size as your reptile grows. If you want to start big, make sure you have a reptile that will adapt well.
Iguanas can grow to 6 feet and they like to climb. It wouldn't make any sense to build a habitat that is 6 feet long but only 2 feet tall, but you can start with a smaller habitat and add on as it gets bigger. Just make sure you add on sooner than later; you don't want to turn around and see that your little baby iguana is now 3 feet and still in a small area.
Re-create a 'native' habitat
With the right temperature and humidity levels you are giving your reptile a start at what they would normally have in the wild. Keep going. Bearded dragons like to dig - provide a place for that. Iguanas are dew- lappers (they lick the water drops off of leaves and branches) so provide either artificial or live plants - make sure they are not toxic. Savannah Monitors burrow, so make the bottom of their habitat dirt.
Research how your reptile lives and survives in the wild and by making their habitat mimic this you will have a happier and healthier pet.
