DIY Naturalistic Enclosure Background for a Bearded Dragon

A step-by-step guide to help you create a naturalistic reptile enclosure background out of polystyrene and grout! This enclosure houses my Nullarbor Bearded Dragon and was created to look like a little piece of his natural environment.
Let me know what you think in the comments!
Plants Used From Left to Right:
Graptophyllum sp.
Vitex ovata
Leptospermum sp.
Banksia awmula
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[@valentine126]

I’ve been watching enclosure builds for years now and this is honestly the most beautiful, natural looking enclosure i’ve seen! It belongs in a world-renown zoo somewhere. You did an incredible job, thank you so much for showing us how you put it all together!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you very much!

[@philbangert8046]

I agree by far the BEST

[@lelasandoval4327]

lol

[@Jay-cz5gj]

​@@TheNaturalHerpKeeper how'd you seal the rock? I can't seem to find any answers lol

[@danequeall6134]

Amazing enclosure, this has to be one of the best background builds I’ve seen

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@alisonoxholm9315]

Amazing that’s the most realistic DIY rock I’ve seen 😊

[@SwissFrogGuy]

I think one of the most useful tips that I got out of this was to make extra freestanding rocks, using the same technique as the background. This really helps with keeping the entire enclosure feeling natural, and All allows you to change things up a bit from time to time. So thanks for that!

[@Op-wj8bw]

This has literally got to be the best naturalistic beardie enclosure I’ve seen amazing work!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@Wheelabarraback]

That’s an incredible effort ! Thanks for posting!

[@doloressantacruz4271]

Lovely.

[@adventuresofharley2388]

Awesome

[@michaelstoker316]

Fantastic

[@chrisfrost2572]

Love it!! Amazing! 😍

[@misspbj2634]

Some serious talent building these enclosures!!! Amazing 🤩

[@snarthfoulsnot]

I'd love to see how you'd make a 3d bioactive enclosure for a boa constrictor or a ball python! I've never seen an enclosure done so beautifully and thoughtfully of their natural habitat in the wild. 💕 You've got a new follower, and I can't wait to see more of your content!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks so much! Unfortunately being in Australia means we can only own natives so no Boa or Ball Python builds! But I'm sure you could adapt the techniques to suit them😊

[@Sk8erSpanky]

Amazing work! Thank you for sharing!

[@aqua.scape69]

You are absolutely amazing. The best I’ve ever seen.

[@mamashanshan2772]

Absolutely awesome!! Thank you!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!!

[@Hogstrictors]

Really awesome natural looking desert-ish looking!

[@fryziesreptiles575]

Fantastic build 👏

[@thecanopyclimber]

Absolutely incredible!!!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps!

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Love this! Thanks for the great tutorial!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you😊

[@Auditing.northern.N.Y.]

Definitely put your work in. Nice job

[@miguelsoto9579]

WOW

[@CricetinaeGerbillinae]

Amazing, beautiful!!!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@afrodietea]

Great way to inspire people to build their own enclosures!

[@larsice9]

This is nuts! Just crazy awesomeness!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@dragonsofthunder]

This is so amazing! You did a great job!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps!

[@CK0320]

Thank you for posting. It looks great and it's motivating

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps😊

[@CustomReptileHabitats]

Nicely done. Looks amazing!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you😊

[@mikelingley]

My bearded dragon Tyfose loves watching your videos.

[@highrollerph]

AMAZING! I learned a lot from this video!

[@timjung640]

Beautiful and incredible!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!!

[@winstonandsarah]

Beautiful work!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps!

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Amazing work! Excited for your channel :)

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you 😊

[@OutdoorsAffiliated]

Just plain Incredible!! Wow!!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you 😊

[@Nickp_s3]

Καταπληκτική δουλειά μπράβο σου!!!

[@adammann42]

Incredible!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you😊

[@KristopherONeill1987]

Yeah I’d agree this is absolutely fantastic and definitely one of the best builds.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you😊

[@jacksall3080]

Absolutely amazing! This helped!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks!

[@rebeccahays2063]

I've watched SO MANY build videos, and this is definitely my favorite!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Hey! Thanks so much-needed, glad you enjoyed it!

[@SwissFrogGuy]

Really great work! You have been inspirational to me and doing some of my first terrarium work! Your grout information was really useful when I attacked my giant 2 1/2 m x 1 1/2 m background.

[@NimBruh]

I LOVE THIS!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@christopherweaver2220]

This is better than any other I've seen. You might consider making morre how-to for Australian habitat terrarium design. This is a gem of a video.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you, I would definitely love to build more and make videos on them, but time is in short supply unfortunately! One day!

[@danneuenschwander3743]

Wow, can’t thank you enough. What a wonderful video. So well done. You have inspired me.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps! And glad it helped with some inspiration!

[@jakehayes1041]

Awesome video, thanks for putting this up.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mattbell3277]

That is beautiful

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps!

[@MyFunnyBeard]

This looks so great! Awesome build

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks!

[@firebelly02]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your tricks! I really enjoyed watching.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

I am glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 😊

[@douggraham6133]

absolutely amazing. beautiful and so natural.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@thespacebehindmyeyes5110]

Wow! This is the best build tutorial I've ever watched. You have a great eye and really made this come alive! I feel like I can do a way better job now on my beardie's enclosure upgrade. Your tips on creating more depth to the rock are easy to follow and practical. Thank you!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it and found it useful! Good luck with your build!!

[@jennyrebelein3617]

Wow, so much work! But absolutely worth it! Looking awsome!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you

[@gregmartin1615]

This is an incredibly generous "sharing of knowledge video". Such a lot of detail and technique. Thank you.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AJK12ap]

One of the best Diy backgrounds I have seen on KZbin. Thank you for the detailed explanation of how you painted the grout.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you! I'm glad you found it useful!

[@kabong1978]

Really enjoyed this. You've got an eye for detail...and camera angles.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

The detail maybe, camera angles I'm not so sure about🤣 still trying to work out this filming stuff!!

[@claudiahenk8048]

Absolutely stunning! Best tutorial and i watched a lot of tutorials.Thank you so much!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks heaps!

[@TheRealAnthym]

This is one of the most natural-looking tanks I've ever seen.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks!

[@bmxking6582]

Amazing, so much detail! Great filming and great step by step easy to understand instructions. Thank you

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you 😊

[@ConnorLongDVM]

Love it, nicely done

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@jessescales4982]

what a great video! Carving out the rock detail with the bamboo skewer just blew my mind.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks! Its all trial and error to find what works best and I just stumbled upon that lol!

[@jonatw75]

best i've seen, most real and natural looking. Amazing work!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@stephenpeTRYCKI]

This build is amazing

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@job1ensis282]

One of the best 'naturalistic enclosure built' video I've ever seen! I also watched your other video and I cannot wait for more and more!! So inspiring, and so much passion in your work! That is the channel what I lookin for years :D You really love what you do, keep going!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks so much! Great to hear you are enjoying the content!

[@crystaldawn2736]

Oh my gosh!!!!!!! You are very talented!!!!!! Your work is absolutely amazing!!!!!!!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@undertheanthill5256]

Absolutely love this and will definitely be using similar methods when I do my diamond python enclosure

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@leonardlipscomb2163]

It’s beautiful

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks so much 😊

[@mcwendel8066]

Unbelievable!!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@captioninsanoshowsnomercy3613]

Great video would love to see more of this kind of content on your channel

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps! We have a few more videos in the making!

[@maciejandrzejewski4949]

Thank you for sharing. That was the most informative video about making backgrounds i've ever seen on yt.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@philbangert8046]

Love it

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you

[@rickymullane9973]

very nice work love the look

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you

[@65cj55]

Very talented.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@randomletter-5i4]

you are a talented artist...by far the most natural diy background I have seen. And the layout and plants etc are incredible too...this should win an award honestly...it is next level.

[@eddydesmet9964]

excellent best basework i have ever seen

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks so much!

[@cheriforget1674]

Thank you very much. I have been watching all kinds of enclosure building tutorials, this is by far the best I have seen yet! Awesome enclosure!!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks so much!!

[@corysummerhays5980]

amazing vid this was great! Loved the detail

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks!

[@mitchmccline1614]

Amazing work! Thank you for the information I am excited to try some of your techniques

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Have fun! And good luck with the build!

[@S_t_even]

Awesome tutorial, really motivating and it makes me feel like I can make something like this too! A lot of the other tutorials seem quite intimidating but this looks really accessible even for an average bloke like me

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you! That was my hope, to explain it in such a way that anyone can give it a go! Its all just practice to find what you like!

[@ashleywilcox4907]

This is incredible, the level of detail and the quality is awesome and it looks completely realistic 😃👍

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps!

[@MiBackpacking]

This is easily the best enclosure build I’ve ever seen and I’ve been looking for inspiration for my beardie for quite some time. Bravo 🎉

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps 😊

[@paulosborne3695]

You hands down have the most realistic finished enclosures I have seen. Your enclosures are beautifully designed. Well done.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks so much!

[@neidemalaquias5447]

Perfeito!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks!

[@michaelsj77]

Nice art work, very impressive

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@AdventureFreak86]

Best buil I've ever seen! Bravo! Subscribed

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps!

[@kenstephens7366]

I’ve watched many videos on enclosures I’m getting ready to build a big one for a snake . And yours was one of the best I’ve seen !!! It goes threw each step simply a lot r over complicated and make it seem pretty complicated , and yours was a great tutorial. Thanks I hope you make more of them and I’ve subscribed just in case .

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you! I'm glad you found it easy to follow! I will definitely have more build videos coming in the future

[@lewisclement41]

That is the best and most life-like background I've seen. It's awesome well done. Will be using some of these techniques for my Ackies new home. Thank you for making the video.👍

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks heaps

[@justalilcynical5558]

Most depth on any background I've seen thus far on KZbin. I've been asked to build quite a large reptile enclosure so I'm doing my due diligence. Now I have to find some videos on waterproofing. I really think you did a fantastic job

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@getcrazyslickd1737]

amazing enclosure! definitely doing this for my BP ^^

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks! I'm sure your BP will love it!

[@thesilkkradle9558]

oh wow this was pretty cool and an aussie. nice to hear a local.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks!

[@roxoriginal732]

I was tossing around a few ideas for the one I’m making and now you have solved that for me . Good well explained vid lovely rock face and colours.well done .👌

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks so much and glad it helped!

[@davidcoburn2461]

This technique is amazing! I will most definitely be using the spray rock-aging technique on my grout!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you and good luck!

[@chacongrafx2238]

Wow. Very impressed with your artistic abilities, making this setup look so natural! Great tutorial too!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you 😊

[@erikaswanstrom6335]

Such an amazing job! Wish you were in Canada! Your work is incredible!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@BeachesScalyBeasts]

Great video! Subbed. Can’t wait to see what you do next.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@letsrundepio9646]

thats awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@nicholaslacovara2381]

Nice job!

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you!

[@RustyShacklefardd]

The foreground is noice too

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks 😊

[@haizelorenzofuimaono7974]

🔥

[@jandvoracek7903]

WOW!! Simply like in nature :O gj

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thank you! Nature is the best inspiration!

[@jackiekearney]

Very nice.

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Thanks!

[@curlsbynat9763]

You are absolutely talented 😻I'm not that talented, but I think I could start on a smaller scale. I was thinking of making my own basking platform for a 4'x2'x2' enclosure for my beardie.

[@Rebellious-ko7xd]

Good setup mate I'm just started my bio active setup good plant to use is basil 😊

[@DogHumpsMonkey]

That’s a great method for aging. Great job

[@TheNaturalHerpKeeper]

Lots of trial and error but it does work pretty well! Thanks!