A reptile terrarium or vivarium doesn’t have to be just functional — it can be a visual piece in your home, too. Of course, the primary job of your vivarium is to ensure your pet is happy and safe and should include everything they need to survive, but once you have achieved this, you can begin to make your reptile tank something easy on the eyes, too.
A reptile tank background is a fantastic way to transform your tank into something aesthetically pleasing. You can buy the best reptile tank backgrounds that mimic the wild in which your reptile could be found in, such as desert, tropical forest or aquatic.
Reptile backgrounds don’t just have to look good to us; they can actually be very beneficial to your pet, too. Some owners report that their reptile is happier in a tank that closely mimics their natural habitat. What’s more, animals such as bearded dragons don’t like to see their reflection in the glass of their tank, so a background can be a great way to eliminate this problem.
If you’re thinking about a background for your reptile vivarium but aren’t sure where to start, take a look at our buying guide below. We’ve also included some of our top picks of the best reptile tank backgrounds out there on the market today.
Best Reptile Tank Background – Comparison Table
| Image | Product Name | Features | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1) BannersNStands Orange Desert Sky with Cactus Background | Tear Resistant. Scratch Resistant Water Resistant Realistic Look | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | 2) Galápagos Woodland Terrarium Background | Hi-Resolution Vibrantly Real Background Long-Lasting - Holds up to UV light Ideal for freshwater fish No mess! Static clings stick without glue | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | 3) PINVNBY Cork Terrarium Background | High Quality Material Easy To Cut Suitable For-fit For Decorative Of Terrarium Natural Healthy Safe Habitat For Pet. | 4.1 out of 5 |
 | 4) BannersNStands Blue Sky with Mountains Background | Tear Resistant Scratch Resistant Water Resistant Realistic Look | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | 5) BNS Reptile Habitat Jungle Background | Tear Resistant UV Print Scratch Resistant Water Resistant Realistic Look | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | 6) HEEPDD Sun and Desert Aquarium Poster | Realistic Look Durable PVC Material Easily Install and Remove Fits Most Aquarium | 4.3 out of 5 |
 | 7) BannersNStands Creepy Mossy Forest Background | Tear Resistant. Scratch Resistant Water Resistant Realistic Look | 4.4 out of 5 |
 | 8) Carolina Custom Cages Reptile Habitat Gothic Castle Background | Epic scenic background Moisture resistant, UV resistant, PVC material | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | Exo Terra Rock Terrarium Background, Reptile Terrarium Decoration | Creates a natural rock look for tropical or desert terrariums Insulates the terrarium, creates an extra dimension Made with black, non-toxic polystyrene Provides an ideal climbing aspect for reptile | 4.3 out of 5 |
What To Consider In A Reptile Tank Background
There are a few things you should consider when purchasing a tank background so you can be sure you get the right one for your reptile.
Type Of Reptile
First of all, think about the type of reptile you have. Terrariums and aquariums can be home to a great range of animals — iguanas, snakes, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, turtles, tortoise, frogs, crabs and many more — and they don’t all come from the same place.
Try to find a background that closely mimics your reptile’s wild habitat. This will give you the most natural-looking tank. However, it is up to you if you want to create a unique vivarium — maybe you want to give your fish a desert background!
Style
When choosing a background you are creating an aesthetically pleasing tank. Make sure your background blends well with the other decor you have in the vivarium already, such as decorations and water and food bowls.
Size
The background isn’t going to be much use if it doesn’t fit in your tank. Not only should you consider the gallon capacity of your tank, but also the height and width dimensions of it.
2D v. 3D
The majority of backgrounds are two-dimensional, but you can also buy three-dimensional backgrounds that really stand out and add to the look and aesthetic. These backgrounds can also help your pet to feel more at home, as some have climbing ledges that are interactive for your reptile. However, 2D backgrounds are great if you are trying to economize on space.
Durability
You’ll want a long-lasting and durable background that you won’t have to replace too often. Go for well known brands and materials that you know are sturdy and strong. The background should also be able to withstand terrarium conditions, such as the temperature and humidity.
Ease Of Cleaning
The best background will allow you to clean it easily. If the background isn’t easy to clean, it will become dirty and the tank can start to smell. It can also be a breeding ground for bacteria which could harm your pet.
Now you know all about what to look for in a tank or aquarium background, take a look at the best backgrounds we recommend below. These are all available to you on Amazon.
The Best Reptile Tank Backgrounds Reviewed
1) BannersNStands Orange Desert Sky with Cactus Background
This tank background from BannersNStands is a tear, scratch and water resistant background with a desert theme. Great for reptiles that descend from the jungle, this gives a realistic yet very eye-catching look to your reptile tank. The background is printed on a smooth, matt polyester material and is highly detailed to give a great aesthetic to your vivarium. It tapes from the outside for easy use, so you don’t need to worry about it getting dirty.
Key Features:
- Tear Resistant.
- Scratch Resistant
- Water Resistant
- Realistic Look
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
2) Galápagos Woodland Terrarium Background
This background from Galápagos has a woodland print and is great for a range of different reptile enclosures. Printed in high-resolution, this background offers a nature theme to your tank that will really make your vivarium stand out from the crowd. With a long-lasting design, it holds up to UVB light and sticks to the tank from the background so you don’t have to worry about it getting dirty. Even better, it static clings to your tank without glue for less mess.
Key Features:
- Hi-Resolution Vibrantly Real Background
- Long-Lasting – Holds up to UV light
- Ideal for freshwater fish
- No mess! Static clings stick without glue
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3) PINVNBY Cork Terrarium Background
This cork background from PINVNBY is made of natural back, providing the most natural and realistic tank for your reptile. Providing a healthy habitat for your pet, it has artificial moss which adds to the natural look and you can easily cut this background down to size so it fits your tank properly. It is also very easy to clean and can be reused over and over. This cork background comes in a pack of two, great for a range of different tank sizes.
Key Features:
- High Quality Material
- Easy To Cut
- Suitable For-fit For Decorative Of Terrarium
- Natural Healthy Safe Habitat For Pet.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4) BannersNStands Blue Sky with Mountains Background
This background is another from BannersNStands and shows a mountainous desert with blue sky. Perfect for desert reptiles, this high quality print gives a natural feel to their tank while also being impressively eye-catching. The vivarium background is tear, scratch and water resistant and so is durable and will last a long time. It also tapes to the tank from the outside, so you don’t need to worry about it getting too dirty, nor will you have the hassle of trying to get it out of the tank when it needs a clean.
Key Features:
- Tear Resistant
- Scratch Resistant
- Water Resistant
- Realistic Look
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5) BNS Reptile Habitat Jungle Background
This background from BNS has a jungle design, great for any reptiles you might own who hail from the jungle. It comes in a range of different sizes so it doesn’t matter what capacity of tank you own. The material is scratch and tear resistant and also waterproof, as well as being UV resistant. This means the background won’t fade under any UV lights you might be using. Again, this background tapes to the outside of the tank so it is much easier to clean.
Key Features:
- Tear Resistant UV Print
- Scratch Resistant
- Water Resistant
- Realistic Look
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
6) HEEPDD Sun and Desert Aquarium Poster
Show off your love of the desert and all of the reptiles that live there with this fun poster. In addition to using it as a poster, you can also place it around your terrarium. The desert scene looks so realistic that your reptiles might forget they’re in your home. This poster uses a durable PVC material that holds up to water and other types of damage. You can easily wipe it off with a paper towel if water spills on the poster.
Thanks to the self-adhesive design, you don’t need to spend a lot of time setting it up. Simply peel off the plastic on the front and place it against the tank. Rubbing your hands across the top will remove any air bubbles. The poster also comes in multiple
Key Features:
- Realistic Look
- Durable PVC Material
- Easily Install and Remove
- Fits Most Aquarium
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
7) BannersNStands Creepy Mossy Forest Background
From BannersNStands, this background provides a somewhat “creepy” vibe to your tank! An ominous mossy forest design, this background will certainly provide a unique aesthetic to your reptile’s home and make a great talking point for visitors. Thanks to the high quality, it also really looks real! Like the other backgrounds listed here, it is tear and scratch resistant, as well as being waterproof.
Key Features:
- Tear Resistant.
- Scratch Resistant
- Water Resistant
- Realistic Look
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
8) Carolina Custom Cages Reptile Habitat Gothic Castle Background
A background for those that want something completely unique, this reptile tank background from Carolina Custom Cages has an epic gothic castle design. Designed for 40 gallon tanks in size, this background is very durable and made from PVC material to resist damage. It is also UV resistant to protect from UV lights you may have in the tank, and is waterproof, too. To prevent extra damage of mess, you can stick this background to the outside of your tank.
Key Features:
- Epic scenic background
- Moisture resistant,
- UV resistant,
- PVC material
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Exo Terra Rock Terrarium Background, Reptile Terrarium Decoration
This Exo Terra Background is one of the products on this list that you and I will enjoy. This product appeals to me because it creates a natural-looking rock while also insulating the terrarium. This item is made of black polystyrene and serves as an excellent playground for your pet. This product measures approximately 24 inches long and 24 inches high and can be easily cut to the desired size.
Key Features:
- Creates a natural rock look for tropical or desert terrariums
- Insulates the terrarium, creates an extra dimension
- Made with black, non-toxic polystyrene
- Provides an ideal climbing aspect for reptile
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Summary
A reptile terrarium background can be a great way to really make your pet’s terrarium stand out from the crowd. Either mimicking their natural environment or giving you reptile a completely new unique home, backgrounds not only make the tank eye-catching and impressive, but can also help your pet to feel more at ease. Always ensure you buy one that fits your vivarium correctly and is easy to clean. We hope you find a background you love in our list above.