Making A Reptile Hide From Clay | DIY Rock Cave Tutorial

In today's video I will be making a rock hide for my Leopard Gecko from clay!
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#RockHide #ReptileHide #DIY

[@sophiahunt1205]

I’ve been wanting a new hide so this is really helpful thanks!!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Awesome!! :)

[@jonejamendomusicii1141]

@@leopardgeckotalk kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3mUmn2Cqtl2a8k

[@jonejamendomusicii1141]

Sophia Hunt kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3mUmn2Cqtl2a8k

[@flynnaganfarms8705]

You should sell these I know I would buy it Like if you would

[@skyeellison7716]

Why would you buy it... when you could make it. Lol that's the whole point of the video lmao

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Ah they're very heavy, I'd hate to know the shipping costs lol

[@llukavac]

@@leopardgeckotalk Same! I would sell them as I go to pottery classes but the shipping would be overwhelming.

[@flynnaganfarms8705]

Omg you replied

[@flynnaganfarms8705]

That’s very true thought

[@pk-tb9nd]

Thank you! I’m getting a leopard gecko very soon and I wanted to DIY most of it!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Ah nice :D

[@HPLP-123]

If using for a reptile please make sure any sealant you use is pond/aquarium safe :) if its going in a vivarium you’ve gotta be sure it’s non toxic to the reptile, heat and humidity proof, and that it’s not gonna emit anything toxic to reptiles once it’s hot and humid :) this looks so good, turned out looking like something you’d buy from a pet shop!

[@a5hh]

looks great and it’s a pretty good idea that people wouldn’t usually think of! also cool idea using the rock to make texture!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you :)

[@Teejrocks83]

Dang, great idea. My daughter would LOVE to make a custom hide for her gecko!!!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

awesome :)

[@BlackBackLioness]

A tip so you don't have to mash a rock against your build, rolled up kitchen foil will also apply a nice rock like texture!

[@HPLP-123]

I second this, and you can manipulate the foil to fit into smaller spaces too

[@plantingwithnat]

This is exactly what I was looking for.

[@illyannaturtle6950]

Ah this is so awesome!! I’ll definitely Be making one of these for my ball python

[@leopardgeckotalk]

awesome! thanks :)

[@thomasschellenberg3818]

Another FANTASTIC video!!! Interesting topic btw

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you :)

[@karenbroile8156]

Thumbs up everyone

[@itzzravenn4522]

omg!!!! this is a much cheaper way AND you can customise your OWN hide OMG THANK YOU FOR THIS

[@johndavis742]

Been waiting for a video like this! Hides are so overpriced in pet stores for how fake they look!

[@silverclawgaming2653]

I just got some crayola white air dying clay -haven't used it yet of course- just because of how much hides do cost plus Iwanted to make a couple of my own hides for my soon to be first leopard gecko but yeah hides cost to much

[@seamusbyrne8259]

Last time I was this early, my gecko wasn't sheading.😝

[@weatherkidchannel5288]

My gecko just shaded too

[@leopardgeckotalk]

lol

[@mvgikk1969]

“sheading” “shaded” which one is it now lol

[@user-nc1vx3wv5v]

[@autumnmaddox4059]

wow this looks awesome!! wanting to make a little pyramid for the hot side tho

[@pammangan3335]

Loved it!

[@geckomorphsusa4032]

Wow,Looks awesome!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks :)

[@koralee8135]

You did a great job on the hide!

[@sabine3245]

I would so buy this!!!!!!! You should sell this and I’m sure lots of other people would buy them too!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@kitastrophey]

This was great! I love diy stuff for my babies. Please, more diys!!!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thank you :)

[@SmiilesAlot]

Maybe some diy decor? Like I saw someone use a rock and glue some fake plants/succulents to it. Maybe something along those lines? I mostly have just hides and I want some ideas to make my tanks look a little prettier but also something that's useful

[@sidneyoneill5072]

Amazing just amazing.xxx

[@kunaal_1928]

Awesome video

[@0.-.Feathers.-.0]

What an amazing hide there is just no end to how talented you are👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@randomperson6087]

You can add mod podge to make it semi waterproof, it also cracks a whole lot less if you use it

[@leopardgeckotalk]

to the clay? or after the paint? As I said in the video, I used to use it before in builds but a tiny bit of humidity and everything was ruined.

[@avawalker1659]

This sounds fun

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks :)

[@danielarya267]

Really helpful! Thanks

[@jessicabella5762]

Super helpful! Love this idea!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks :D

[@naimarose8839]

That hide looks great!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thank you :)

[@catherinedoye9674]

Magnifique 👌👍

[@dechala3263]

I made two gecko hides as a ceramics project but I haven’t painted them yet. Thanks for the colour inspiration!!

[@kristenmoore8697]

I literally just bought so many expensive hides.. 😂

[@leopardgeckotalk]

🙈 oops haha

[@jadeproductions]

Very nice and original

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks :D

[@rcgamer4524]

You know you loved getting your hands dirty playing with that clay :-) brings me back to my school days, might have a bash at this!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

haha it's always fun :)

[@rcgamer4524]

Leopard Gecko haha yep :-)

[@ceciliaolnes10]

this is dope

[@taravellaprowindowtintingi7146]

Thats so cool!Very creative!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thank you :)

[@tehawesome84]

This is a great project, I'm gonna pick up some today so the kids can make their own hides for their gecko's

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks! aw that'll be awesome :)

[@wilkieroyall3507]

Wow that looks amazing 😃. Great idea as well.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thank you :)

[@l.a.1254]

Perfect timing. Ive been wanting to make bigger hides for my bearded dragons.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

ah perfect :)

[@karenbroile8156]

I like this

[@jjust.jasmine]

This is so cute!!❤

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thanks :D

[@mauricemunnytmsp8051]

I just got my Leo from a foster home!! I met the foster mom and picked her up today!! She’s 8 months old!

[@geoveliz7]

Super cool idea thank you! I'm definitely interested in making one for my geckos!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

awesome! thanks :)

[@beckythebeardeddragon59]

I love this! Your geckos are awesome,e and you inspire me every day to teach other beginner reptile owners how to take care of there reptiles! Thank you :D

[@leopardgeckotalk]

aw thank you!!

[@leahjvr3245]

I'm definitely doing this, thank you so much!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

ah awesome, thanks!

[@fbreedreopa]

Good work

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks :D

[@f18e59]

Oooooo, very nice 👌

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks :D

[@cl-op1ol]

Thanks for all your vids I am getting a geko for Christmas so thanks

[@CelestialLunaMoth]

WARNING ABOUT THE POLYVINE PAINTERS VARNISH! - It apparently contains biocides to stop mold which is not good for a bioactive setup or a damp/wet environment where your animals could be licking it or coming into contact with it. I would personally not use it at all. A non toxic alternative could be clear PVA glue / Elmers glue which you can water down if needed which should be safer & do the same job. If you need something that can cope with super damp or wet conditions or very hot or cold temperatures a clear aquarium safe sealant like Bond It Marine grade silicone sealant (you could brush it on) could work & it does not contain harmful biocides or fungicides. Always do your own research before using a product. Thumbs up this comment please so others can see it. Thanks

[@leopardgeckotalk]

ah thanks for that. I'd seen many tutorials a while ago where people used ModPodge - I always used that until it completely failed on me :( then other people were using the varnish, but they used it for entire tanks. I don't think i'd do that.

[@serinitysmith2309]

This was super inspiring! I plan to diy most of what's going into my future leos tank :) going to add a waterproof sealant over it that way there won't be any issues for say the humid hide. I still plan on buying instead of making the water bowl though, just to be safe.

[@s2unmei223]

Nice 👍🏻

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks :D

[@ReptiHero]

Good job! 🤘

[@bornagainluis]

Very nice

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks :)

[@sophia_0335]

This is awsome I love it thank you❤

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thank you :D

[@treetzataylor8509]

The paint on my homemade hide is drying right now, great tutorial it turned out great. Thank you for making this video! I tried once before watching this and it wasn't very good. Edit: I am going to say that it was a slight pain though. It wasn't very hard but it took forever and my table was a mess after I made it.

[@jetjazz05]

I've been thinking about doing a low cost frog terrarium lately, I live in Florida and there's lots of invasive species I can catch in my own yard. They're bad for the local native species, but would be well suited for a terrarium! I love the sounds frogs make, and I could definitely make some of my own structures for the terrarium with this method. Thanks for the interesting content!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Ah yeah i've heard florida in particular have a problem with invasive species. I don't know how safe the clay and paint is in a wet/humid tank, but you can definitely make something using expanding foam, cork, etc - check out josh's frogs' website :)

[@arrestonettemerilan1200]

2 hours 0 dislikes *This does put a smile on my face*

[@leopardgeckotalk]

ah we almost made it a day, but there's always one 🙈😅

[@hebebebe139]

This hide looks nicer and more natural than all the hides I've bought over my lifetime

[@wilkieroyall3507]

Great thanks for the video keep up the amazing work and hope you have a great day 😁.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thanks!

[@avrumfrankel]

Hi Leopard gecko,thanks for some more quality content. Keep up the awesome work!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you :D

[@avrumfrankel]

:D

[@avrumfrankel]

Oh and thanks for answering all my questions on previous vids

[@emilymidkiff4615]

I have made two hides for my gecko! One is made out of popsicle sticks and fabric (it’s two stories!) and the other is made of clothes pin without the metal piece. Very fun and easy to make. They have lasted two years!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

ah very creative :)

[@ellien2675]

Wow this looks amazing! Gotta get me some clay!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thank you :D

[@zekephipps]

thank you so much for all the good info you give i've only had a lepard gecko for and month but youve help me so much already.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

aw thank you :)

[@Kim.vd.k]

Woow this video is amazing! I am gonna make it for my hamster 😍

[@picnicblanket6428]

Corn snake researching rn. Ty

[@legendarygamer3796]

You are an artist👌 At first I was going to get a leopard gecko but my whole life I really wanted a Beardie (bearded dragon) so I got that instead but you still help out a lot keep up the great work.

[@ghostersnail6975]

This is a amazing idea for people who want to make there own design for there leopard gecko terrarium.

[@ghostersnail6975]

On the cool side of course ^.^

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thank you :)

[@simpletanks2624]

That was awsome cant wait to try my own! Thanks for the idea! Maybe try a 3D background.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thanks :) Ah I think it'd be too heavy for a whole background, I'd be terrified of it collapsing lol

[@weatherkidchannel5288]

I of course have to deal with Dorian I’m not complaining a lot bc I’m in Florida I hope the Bahamas do good

[@oceanthompson5268]

Same here as well

[@leopardgeckotalk]

oh god just had to google was Dorian was. Hope it doesnt hit too hard :(

[@thepethouse538]

Hello I have got to try this u are great thanks for the best content on KZbin

[@leopardgeckotalk]

aw thank you :)

[@annnagel9741]

Thanks need to make 2 caves for my friends snake

[@marissalovejones481]

Omg i love this im definitely ganna try this im sure this would save some money❤

[@leopardgeckotalk]

awesome :) thanks!

[@pishyah]

Can you try to make a house out of clay? It would be adorable.

[@kiravr1232]

To make it waterproof, you could use epoxy, which is used to make boats waterproof, so it has to be safe for the animals in the water. It is also used for aquarium backgrounds and stuff like that. Hope this was helpful. Ps: sorry for my bad english, i am not really good at it

[@felixmakesart]

Kiwi van Rijn Your English is great!

[@kiravr1232]

@@felixmakesart thank you

[@leopardgeckotalk]

ah nice, didn't think of that :)

[@mjmuskovitz]

OMG I MADE ONE EARLIER TODAY BEFORE THIS WAS POSTED

[@leopardgeckotalk]

omg, we're like in sync lol

[@romchek41]

Hey, you should try and make video about styro+concrete backgrounds and hides. You can do whatever you want, actually. I already did a lot of stuff that look like stones, wood, planks.. And guys, please paint all your pets stuff with acrylic paints only. It is most the safe and not toxic

[@LizzyTheLizard]

amazing vid such a good idea

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you :)

[@joe-tt3lp]

Although I don’t have any thing to make a personal hide I still love watching your videos. BTW GREAT VIDEO!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thank you :D :D

[@misterark1042]

Saw this on your instagram

[@silverseen8300]

Think of the types of hides! I wanna try making one with a column in it, make it really like a cave

[@josealvarez5235]

im not first im not last but when this video came out i did click fast

[@leopardgeckotalk]

haha thanks :)

[@simpletanks2624]

Lol oh yea good point thanks so much.

[@simpletanks2624]

Guess a fat tail gecko is better then a flat tail gecko... lol..

[@themilkypirateuk7301]

Thank you for all your videos, they are so informative. I’m preparing a vivarium for a Leo so will be trying this today; one question, why is this only recommended for a cool hide? Why not a moist and a hot hide ? With thanks

[@neverweakagain]

Soo cute :)

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks :)

[@Anthingforaquater]

One of my 2 geckos just shed today I'm so happy 😀 also great video🤗

[@fionashepley478]

Just wondering, are they housed together?

[@lindseykay4022]

Early love your videos!!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you :)

[@FreddyA85]

I'm waiting on my moist hide to come in the mail..I've always wondered if its possible to over crowd my Leo's tank?

[@campbellc.4363]

Thanks for this tutorial! I was looking for a way to use up the rest of my clay when I realized my toad needs a new hide. Now I have something to do with my day!

[@moonsel708]

i just went out and bought everything to make new hides💕

[@kaidencethomas4139]

I know it's been a year or so but how did they turn out?

[@nickwilliamson5023]

I did this in art class at school last year because we were told to make anything so I decided it make aside for my gecko

[@CodeCio]

Thanks! I have 2 leopard geckos and I wanted to buy some Exo Terra's hide but they were too expensive to my country's cash (TL) then my dad gave me this idea of yours and I love what you did there! you are a genius :)

[@savannahalysse7088]

Thanks because I have been scared for the sizes so I wanted to make one

[@leopardgeckotalk]

aw awesome, yeah once I ordered a log hide for my geckos, there were no sizes on the website, but I thought a small/medium would be fine... I think at the most a millipede could fit under it - it was tiny!!

[@ToxicBologna]

I would try black silicon on the inside maybe it would work for humidity

[@alexandriahunt6634]

So as an artist I feel that I should tell you that you should’ve probably put the gray down first and then highlighted everything with a darker tone because rocks are usually gray as opposed to a black rock those aren’t as common so a gray base a dark gray base and then black highlights as if the weather has taken hold of it I would’ve looked a lot better and I think you should probably try again because I would like to see it

[@cillamomio9148]

Thanks for tips! Love ur vids bc you only who makes gecko videos and takes care of them well. I feel live every gecko youtubers have a lot of geckos (too much) and having too small terrauriums like 45cm and im very choked about it but world is world.. anyway YOU BEST!❤️

[@leopardgeckotalk]

aw thanks so much :D

[@Coverex]

It's really cool, did you tried on the hot or humid side after?

[@AmberLeeena]

Hello ! Thanks for all the info. How would I clean this ? I would be afraid to make it moist again... I normally steam clean my tank and accessories.

[@abigailkerr3354]

I'd love to make a version of this for my Axololtl! Real clay of course and it'd have to be fired properly but itd be awesome!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

ah that could be interesting :)

[@jstuff9270]

Hi

[@rheasaburrell6093]

That looks really good! Can you make a tank size (tallish) tree with a hole for the gecko? ☺️❤️