The cholla grows in the Sonoran Desert of the south-western United States and northern Mexico, and when it dies the woody skeleton it leaves behind is a lattice of holes — which is exactly what makes the shape useful in a terrarium. Exo Terra's version is a replica of that skeleton, offered as a sustainable alternative to collecting the real plant, which is listed on CITES Appendix II. The open structure gives geckos, small skinks and invertebrates somewhere to wedge in out of sight, and the moist microclimate it holds supports thermoregulation and shedding. Note the scale before you order: these are hides for animals that fit in your hand, not for an adult bearded dragon.
Two sizes, Small 6.1 x 11.3 x 5.7cm and Medium 9 x 19.8 x 7.7cm. Exo Terra also catalogues a Large that we do not stock. It belongs in a desert build alongside the Barrel Cactus and the Saguaro Cactus, over a Sand Mat Substrate floor; the rest of the range is in our Exo Terra collection.
Features
- Open lattice structure — multiple entry and exit points, so a nervous animal is never cornered inside it.
- Humid microclimate — the enclosed space holds moisture, which helps with thermoregulation and with a clean shed.
- Sustainable alternative — a replica rather than collected material from a CITES Appendix II listed plant.
- Desert-accurate look — the form belongs in an arid build in a way most moulded caves do not.
- Small-animal scale — sized for geckos, small skinks and invertebrates rather than for large lizards.
Specifications
Small 6.1 x 11.3 x 5.7cm (2.4 x 4.5 x 2.2"), item code PT2986. Medium 9 x 19.8 x 7.7cm (3.5 x 7.8 x 3"), item code PT2988. Shipping weights 0.13kg and 0.43kg. Exo Terra lists this product as Cholla Cactus, under its Hides category rather than under Plants.