It’s been fun to see the increase in popularity of natural planted terraria over the last few years. Now a hobby within a hobby, with many exotic animal keepers having at least one eco-terrarium. I think this is easy to understand, but then I have been interested in planted terraria for may years. But, who wouldn’t want a beautiful slice of the jungle in their living room? A terrarium often becomes the main focal point in any living room, and it is certainly a very natural way of keeping species such as frogs and Day geckos.

This product, though not entirely aimed at the natural terrarium market, is entirely at home within such an environment. This bendy vine looks natural and the non-moss version will even allow real moss to naturally grow on it – I have done this several times and it looks amazing. In the jungle there vines are growing everywhere, they flow from branch to branch, plant to plant. They allow a multitude of animals to move around freely between areas of the jungle and are a vital part of a natural looking terrarium. There are natural vines available in the hobby, but they are not flexible. The Exo Terra vines are very flexible, made from some kind of rubber-like material, an internal wire to maintain the shape, with a covering of what appears to coir. They can be bent to suit and twine between branches – fasten with a discrete cable tie. They will hold the weight of up to a medium sized Chameleon if fastened well. I have used them directly into water, allowing animals such as Fire Bellied Toads an access point in and out of the water. They also come in a “moss” variety, but I much prefer the look of the “coir” version – with or without the addition of living moss growing on it. The “moss” version may especially appeal to those wanting a flexible vine in a more sterile terrarium – that is to say one that doesn’t have live plants in an eco- style. There are a variety of plastic plants that would also give the vivarium a look of the natural planted terrarium – worth considering if you don’t have the confidence to attempt a natural eco terrarium.

We have a vast array of live plants, vines (including flexible ones), substrates, drainage and everything you need at our shop in Darlington.

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