Venomous Tree Viper Bioactive Jungle Vivarium

In this one, I teamed up with one of my buddies to bring you a build for some venomous reptiles, specifically the Variable Bush Viper (Atheris squamigera). Like most of you, I don't ever intend on keeping these animals myself, but I like to showcase other aspects of the hobby. So, when the opportunity arose, I knew I had to make it happen!
The Variable Bush Viper is a great candidate for a bioactive vivarium because of its placid demeanor and relatively small size. They'll spend most of their time in the canopy, but aren't shy about exploring the forest floor. Like many other medium-sized animals, spot cleaning is necessary for optimal results.
Let me know what you think about the completed build down in the comments!
Will's Socials
KZbin - / willnace
Instagram - / will_nace
Plant List
Asplenium nidus (Bird's Nest Fern)
Calathea rufibarba 'Green'
Cryptanthus bivittatus (Red Earth Star)
Davallia fejeensis (Rabbit's Foot Fern)
Goeppertia insignis (Rattlesnake Plant)
Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo Grass)
Peperomia albovittata 'Rana Verde'
Pillow Moss
Saintpaulia sp. (African Violet)
Learn More in my Blog
www.serpadesign.com/blog
Follow SerpaDesign
Instagram - / serpadesign
TikTok - / serpadesign
Second Channel - / tannerserpa
00:00 Intro
00:21 Making the Background
03:22 Installing the Background
04:20 Mixing the Substrate
04:55 Adding the False Bottom & Substrate
05:39 Extra Details & DIY Jungle Vines
06:27 Plant Preparation
06:54 Adding the Plants pt 1
07:19 Additional Hardscape
07:34 Adding the Plants pt 2
07:43 Going Bioactive
08:05 Including Botanicals
08:26 Completed Enclosure
09:04 Adding the Snakes and Final Thoughts
#vivarium #treeviper #serpadesign

[@SerpaDesign]

I'm always open to do setup for animals that I don't have if I know someone who does. Let me know what you want to see in the future! Also let me know what you think about the build down in the comments. Have a great weekend SerpaSquad!

[@British_Bastard]

Could we see a scorpion enclosure please?

[@gecko2069]

I already know that its gonna be epic

[@aggressivnoob9237]

Walking stick setup

[@kingkavane8387]

It would be really awesome to see a small rodent like mice or a hamster

[@captainfinnsbrickchannel5760]

Hi Tanner ,I just want to thank you again for the tank from Aquashella the shrimp are doing great along with the plants sincerly Finn and Dad

[@emmacavalier]

I love how the snakes are kept in bioactive enclosures rather than the usual plastic drawers that some snake owners have.

[@cocolocobirb981]

The plastic drawers are for breeding, most people don’t keep their actual pet snakes in a bin. but even if they do, if they are a good keeper, they will provide enrichment for them.

[@ryderreptile]

@@cocolocobirb981 yeah i agree, if people can’t put the effort into a good enclosure even if they are breeders they should not have them.

[@cocolocobirb981]

@@ryderreptile I literally just said “if they are a good keeper, they will provide enrichment” what do you not understand?

[@cocolocobirb981]

@@ryderreptile or are you agreeing with me? Please explain.

[@ryderreptile]

@@cocolocobirb981I was agreeing with you lol. “Yeah”

[@Jartopia]

Those are some interesting looking snakes! They're lucky to have such a beautiful vivarium to call home.

[@SakkiDuran]

Yeah not as lucky as other snakes that only have their natural habitats in jungles to call home. (since these environments are being destroyed by humans).

[@an-insane-llama]

@@SakkiDuran I saw sarcasm up until I got to the parentheses. 👍

[@interestingasfck]

That's exactly what I was thinking! The setup is awesome!

[@islandnowhere4703]

They indeed are very lucky to be bought and treated as pets while being wild animals

[@OtterThing]

People here love being sarcastic, huh 💀 This was definitely really awesome tho

[@ThaBeatConductor]

Vipers might be the most beautiful of all snakes, the scales are crazy, especially when some of the body/skin color peaks through them. I would love to have one, but I'd always want to hold it. :(

[@backwoodsvenom]

The atheris species are all amazing to keep even without being able to hold them

[@gardnerediting6965]

Who says you can’t free handle them🤔👀

[@ThaBeatConductor]

@@gardnerediting6965 Just get some antivenin made from the snake, keep it on hand, should be good right?

[@ThaBeatConductor]

@@nathanlitjens5905 It's not too hard to do a drip feed setup with an IV. Just need the proper equipment. Not worth just to hold a snake though. Also, my reply was mostly /s. xD

[@samveasey3558]

@@ThaBeatConductor there is no antivenom for members of the genus Atheris, though Echis antivenom has helped with bite cases in the passed.

[@ajmeraki4029]

I watch a lot of diorama and tabletop game crafting videos, and it's kind of surprising just how much the two hobbies overlap in the materials and skills used. Just one year ago I never in a million years would have guessed that insulation foam of all things could be such a versatile artistic medium. I love reptiles, but I also just love how you can take such mundane hardware store materials and turn them into such high-grade animal enclosures.

[@bundlesofjoe]

I love how compared to some of your other projects this is a great beginners project. No expensive tools, no cutting class, no massive time delays from having to attach like 20 different things with silicone for structural support, no major modifications to the enclosure, and a relatively small amount of components especially considering how dense it looks. This is an affordable, easy to replicate, and beautiful set up. One of your top 5, granted nothing can top the 600 unless you make like say a 1,200 gallon aquarium and go find a Picture of underwater in a river and replicate it as much as possible even down to plant and hardscape placement. Which you should totally do. If anyone can do it it's you.

[@fredw8631]

Those vipers look BEAUTIFUL!

[@billymacaraeg7761]

awesome snakes especially the scales they have, they do deserve a great build that you've made 😁,

[@sarahdee374]

I might have put the doors on before the venomous snakes, though!

[@arsenichubich6647]

how about they deserve to live in the wildlife?

[@kboi272]

@@arsenichubich6647 don’t know a lot about snakes but no, but if they are captive bred they definitely can’t go in the wild, wouldn’t that mean by that logic that dogs or cats need to get put in the wild

[@themurrrr]

Gorgeous vipers and you built them a home worthy of their beauty.

[@crazyladyjess9446]

Thank you so much Tanner for your help in creating reptile jungles!! My crested gecko, Luna now has a dream jungle once it stops smelling. Its getting better every day. You have truly encouraged me to be bold and go for a natural build that should hopefully last for a very long long time. Shame I can't show you! Jess and Luna 👍🏻🤩

[@ebenoid6643]

In response to your request, I would love to see what kind of hermit crab tank you could come up with, to see a waterfall hermit crab setup serpa style would be epic dude! Lol unless I missed that episode!

[@cody2097]

Me too

[@Egonimo]

oh same. i wanted to build one for myself, but because of some prblems it never heappened :(

[@rebekahstahl1018]

I love that he asks if you used his moss 🤣 I can see why you’re friends ❤️

[@Billbeaux]

Dude. You're like the Bob Ross of enclosure scaping! Your canvas is something special.

[@extraordinary_ordinary]

It's a beautiful build, however, I feel that it is a little small in size to house three animals.

[@mirandaschalen]

thinking the same.

[@MultiFruitshoot]

Much better than plastic draws

[@Hennesg]

"a little" is good.....

[@PRLOutdoors]

@@MultiFruitshoot plastic totes are for breeding....people don't keep them in there indefinitely.

[@MultiFruitshoot]

@@PRLOutdoors no people do, youd be surprised.

[@Erissa]

Those vipers are some of my favorite hots. Just absolutely gorgeous animals, but not something I would ever feel confident trying to keep myself. The enclosure design looks so pretty and natural. No wonder they settled right in.

[@shevaunhandley1543]

To be honest, I would love to see what you would do with at least one enclosure at Snake Discovery's zoo 🥰 I love your builds and to see your work evolve from their original base is always a fascination for me.

[@shivamroy1775]

Is it possible to build natural-looking bio-active terrariums/enclosures for small pets like mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc? That would be so amazing.

[@snekysneks]

I have seen videos for a bioactive hamster setup.

[@arriitv1716]

In theory yes, however, mammals produce a hell of a lot more waste than reptiles, and as such would need a much much larger enclosure to be fully bioactive to allow for the nutrients/chemicals in the substrate to balance themselves out over longer periods of time. Its completely possible, however many believe it's less than practical.

[@chemistrykrang8065]

I'm sure I've seen that sort of thing described for gerbils - they don't produce much urine in comparison to other rodents so that might be a factor.

[@themute9354]

Yes, you can have a very natural and nice bioactive setup for them. But you’d have to clean up their poop and everything like that, it can’t be 100% dependant on the bioactive system because of the animals large bioload. They love natural enclosures!

[@minwellitsanicknamebegrate2531]

I have seen it but they are much larger enclosures

[@etcktryd]

Love that you used a wood from Africa where they're from. Details like that help show how much thought and care you put into your builds. Thanks for including Will's reaction! It was great to see.

[@blus1028]

Those snakes are stunning!! This is one of my favourites of your builds tbh!

[@hel117]

My favorite thing about this is how the wood has a twisting, snakelike quality, which is fitting.

[@BriSessions]

I will likely never own a reptile and don't particularly feel like I'd want to - but they are wonderful animals, and I'm obsessed with your videos. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful build. I am always so enchanted by them.

[@tuckerbetz9585]

This is incredible! I lost one of my snakes two days ago and I'm coping with the sadness. This helped a lot buddy!

[@hushpuppyandfriends5115]

very sorry for your loss. all pets mean so much to us. 🐍🐍🐍

[@VIperisko]

So pretty , yet so deadly

[@stefanengdahl6744]

My new favorite build from you!

[@asher2193]

Love this setup so much! I’m a little worried about the cohabitation, snakes usually aren’t the best with that. it can really stress them and or lead to fighting between them although that being said, I’m not too familiar with vipers so it could be completely fine !

[@ryderreptile]

Pit vipers tend to be a lot better with cohabitation than other groups/species but it can definitely lead to problems without enough space provided.

[@EvilSewnit]

Insularis vipers are often kept in groups

[@LKonstantina915]

vipers are really beautiful. They are native in my country and they just look majestic, from afar that is!

[@GertrudeFilthbasket]

Now THAT'S a birthday present. Nice Tanner.

[@parmerapps69]

Will's reaction at the end of the video was one of the most wholesome things I've seen this week. Also, the way Tanner credits Will every time he had a part in the project is how a collab should be done (but sadly aren't most of the time). Those snakes look stunning in your setup - fantastic job Tanner! 👍

[@amandaspacek9277]

My eyes get drawn to those beautiful pop of Violets. Everything you do is amazing and so detailed

[@AquariumsandTerrariums]

i love how happy he was at the end your a good guy tanner

[@leafystreet]

vipers are so stunning man. awesome work as always

[@_dboy_]

Those are beautiful animals and what a nice setup!

[@denijkerksetreinspotter]

Amazing build, I would never keep venomous animals my self, but the vivarium looks dope!

[@Sahadi420]

until you have to catch the snake. LOL

[@coashii3259]

I love these types of videos because it keeps my mind off of my broken finger😊

[@gizmo8453]

Bush vipers are so dope. The colors and scales on them are insane. An actual dragon

[@rolo2029]

Love the addition of the purple flowers! It’s a beautiful plant and I’d love to see more flower varieties like it in future builds.

[@mercygal1]

The snakes look so happy in their new home!

[@jordanenriquez9528]

you got the vision man just the scene without any animals in it is georgeus

[@GlitzyWitch]

I absolutely love this set up, the vipers are gorgeous. I would love to create something like this, so much inspiration in your work ❤

[@breshannondevereaux5712]

WHAT an INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL enclosure and SNAKES!! SWEET birthday gift! Again, you've done an AMAZING job, Tanner!!

[@PrincePatel-fo5nm]

It's so peaceful watching your videos, no doubt, one of the best channels I have visited

[@nathangagnon5993]

My go to channel to put on while I'm working on my enclosures. I mostly only have insects, gastropods, and rodents, but still. it's a vibe.

[@DougHoffman]

Curious about a few things: tank hydration -- how will your friend keep the humidity up, and will it endanger that African violet (since they're sensitive to water on the leaves)? Also wondering how he's going to feed them -- whether he'll feed in the cage or outside of the cage.

[@Psych.o.delica]

yes I'm also super interested to know about this :)

[@mariubjallakata3685]

I was searching for this comment!

[@Astrodevil]

African violets love high humidity, the problem is, as you mentioned, the water on the leaves. If droplets are left on the foliage and are exposed to light, the leaves will burn :( (Otherwise the set up is VERY nice)

[@arcanenoodle45]

Snakes should be fed in cage, and responsible venomous keepers are going to feed in the enclosure to reduce the chances of a human bite or a snake regurgitating. With that said, feeding cohabitated snakes is a bit tougher, but if you are quick and deliberate, you can get all the inhabitants working on their own meal before they even think of stealing their tank-mates' food.

[@capuchinosofia4771]

I literally just commented the same lol, i tried to keep some and they are *really* sensitive to water in the leaves (or the leaves touching humid soil too) i wonder if they will survive

[@heleninglis9961]

Cool to see you working with Will

[@Avalanche2]

Wow, the foam is a great idea, looks really nice!

[@nathanvarghese.]

Wow, the thumbnail for this video was GORGEOUS!!!

[@jughead8988]

That snake in that enclosure look amazing!

[@VeniseGrr]

I don't know if anyone's ever mentioned this, but I like how you speak slowly and clearly :) Nice Vivarium! That flower and the snakes' colors are very pretty.

[@pauladgould9218]

You are truly Blessed. Thank you, for sharing you work! Love n Prayers

[@pinkyysk]

I love snakes so much could never feed them but always love to watch them. This is so ace.

[@SINISTERthe1]

I’m so glad you did this, bush vipers are my dream snakes

[@justinwilson2595]

Honestly I love your knowledge and thank you for sharing. What you have done is helping me on my way. Along with learning and respecting the animals and giving them the best I can. For them.

[@mooncheetah6632]

Ive been watching your channel a lot lately. maybe a bit too much because today my brain kept repeating "SUP SERPASQUAD" in your voice lol. Your channel is so inspiring! i could listen to you talk all day. Im a complete beginner thats looking into getting fish or a snake and I have definately learned a lot since i came here. Very grateful

[@roiblack8587]

Not only is this vivarium beautiful but also the snakes. What colors. And they are so graceful. Love it.

[@lordnextdoor7987]

Bro, you're a wizard. This would be a dream to have at home.

[@jrbp33]

Beautiful as always Tanner, I would love to see how you would approach doing something like this for a burmese python..not a giant one but an average adult. How would you find ways to sneak planters/plants into the viv in a way they can survive/avoid the snake.

[@sebm1994]

Tanner has a video where he made a vivarium for his kingsnake Hoodini he has an awesome way to get plants in there and keep them safe from the snake digging them up. I'd recommend that video for planting tips which an animal who wants chaos and plants dug up! Haha I'd love to see him do a build for some BIG snakes for people, that would be awesome

[@Albertisi1]

Me too, I m waiting for such a video :-)

[@reeda5390]

The snakes actually really completed the look !!

[@HorribleGamingFun]

those vipers are absolutely gorgeous

[@lezbyterian]

Every time I watch a new video of yours you outdo yourself. Fantastic work Tanner! It looks incredible.

[@hi_tech_reptiles]

South American Pit Vipers and Bush Vipers are awesome. Eyelash vipers, Squams, all of em are awesome. Glad Will got such a nice build for them!!

[@Alex-qk8ls]

The coolest looking snake. Great work man as always

[@interestingasfck]

That setup looks lit! I really like watching your video - the best part is that you describe everything with such a detail! Keep going :)

[@julesbossaert7641]

I love viper snakes

[@alinagrace4980]

I am literally in awe of how stunning those snakes are 😭😭😭😭

[@silasrobinson7325]

I love this video because the African Bush viper is one of my dreams snakes and I'm even planning on tattooing one onto my arm so this video makes me very happy

[@Isaac-pc9ic]

I love how your creative thoughts just flow, you structure the whole process in video really well! ❤

[@mohitmilo]

I cant describe how fascinating i find snakes

[@Nonjola]

I like how colorful these snakes can get.

[@DragonHeart5150]

How cool! Just beautiful!

[@rapid13]

Wow those nope ropes are beautiful!

[@torquess454]

Wicked stunning job, Tanner, for Wills wicked cool snakes!!! I’m shook! What a beautiful setup!!!

[@TheZachy1337]

I love the scales and colors on these snakes. Gotta be my favorite snake so amazing!

[@mike_MSP]

What an awesome tropical setup! Those tree vipers will love it! As i can see Will did too!

[@alisonmaczka7359]

They arw absolutely stunning and look awesome in that enclosure. Much love to both you and will and your animals

[@chrisbianco7748]

dude ill be honest i get toasted and just watch u go at it, and nothings better thanks for doing you

[@Geckoyogaia]

Epic as always Tanner! You are the best bio builder brother. You set the bar beyond beautiful belief boy howdy!.!.!

[@MoonlightCharizard]

I LOVE THIIISSSSS!!! I don't think i'll ever get into venomous snakes, but MANNNNN I'd love to own vipers. They are so beautiful. Very nice setup

[@kevinvonerich8595]

Awesome display, very cool. Well done

[@I.no.ah.guy57]

Wow those vipers are so beautiful

[@BeagleRescuer13]

Tanner this is absolutely stunning!! Such a peaceful beautiful environment. Love this!

[@PoizNusChEEzCaKe]

oh man look at the eyes, pure predator, so much intelligence, gives zero Fs, amazing animals nice video

[@jaystube7713]

love it!!! love the blue flowers you included.

[@eh7203]

These are one of my top 3 dream snakes! Thank you for the enclosure inspiration! Can't wait to build my own when I'm qualified to care for venomous species.

[@abouttheedge4152]

Thanks for always Inspiring me Tanner! Great build! 👍

[@aquafire1838]

I love how he's talking about how awesome a literal type of driftwood is

[@learnova1761]

These videos are like therapy for me, thank you ❤️

[@kywilliams1583]

I really like watching your progress when it comes to backgrounds. It seems like this dry lock method is far less time consuming in comparison to the expansion foam/ silicon/ cocoa bark method. Still waterproof and still looks amazing! I truly enjoy your videos!

[@zippymacadoo6336]

Simply exquisite. The terrain and the snakes!

[@kymdevenish-meares4684]

Stunning enclosure for some gorgeous snakes. Loved watching them explore

[@motherchaos]

They are the most beautiful snakes I've ever seen! 😍 The habitat you built for them is equally stunning. 😍

[@christineherrmann205]

Those snakes are supremely chill and gorgeous.

[@bradsillasen1972]

Outstanding. Wish I'd seen this some years back when I had a nice collection.

[@theblueburrow1801]

I didn't realize these guys could cohabitate! Beautiful enclosure!

[@vildhallon4709]

I love the African violet in there! Gesneriads are my favourite plants

[@vipergecko03]

Dude this was soooo easy to follow and I'm confident I can do something like this. Thank you!

[@SubhomoyRoy5678]

What a concept.. what a built.. great job done man..

[@calilife805]

Those are some happy vipers ! That’s neat man !

[@ThePassionOfTheMarc]

Everything is beautiful as usual.

[@ManuelaFuths]

Mein Mann und ich haben Trimerusuren gezüchtet. Wonderful time 🥰

[@alisonnicholson]

Gorgeous to look at but I'd never have a snake. Yet another beautiful enclosure Tanner😊