I've been setting up naturalistic vivariums for years, so I'm experienced. Here is a description of my 100-gallon setup:
Features: Brush piles at each end, two major hide spots, canopy with climbing arch, covered pool. Rocks & branches fit seamlessly in an uncanny precision, revealing prime viewing spots. Design is highly, precisely engineered to simulate nature, while maximizing accessories & space.
Left to right: Grove behind driftwood arch with high arch above it, rock pile, fallen log, Mopani grotto, shrubs & covered pool. Three levels of thermal graduation, and a fourth level on the ground below.
Rocks: Nine
Plants: Sixteen fake species, two live species (moss & lichens).
Branches: Eleven
Driftwood: Four
I've found these to be time-enduring facts:
1. Live plants have no place in a reptile terrarium. Snakes will dig into the soil or rocks and eventually destroy the plant base. (Accept defeat for this small battle.)
2. Keep your setup as simple as possible. No one likes to spend much time cleaning up poop, changing water and re-arranging all accessories. The best setup can be stripped and redone in minutes.
3. Fake plants from Michael's or a similar Arts & Crafts store are ideal. They are amazingly life-like, have no awkward, wide base and can be fitted into the rear, tight corners or into crannies.
4. Provide a concealed soak pool water bowl the size of a salad bowl if you can, not a water dish. A 30-minute soak will free a snake from all external parasites like mites. With creativity, you can fit even a salad bowl into your setup with amazing space-maximizing success – also increasing the variety of habitat types your snake encounters.
Hope this helps. Best wishes!
Ameron
Portland, OR
1.0 Lampropeltis getula floridana
1.0 Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae x hondurensis
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus (Tallahassee morph)
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