DIY Large snake hide

While searching online for a diy solution to making a hide I came across some amazing hides made from Styrofoam and tile grout.

Well as I am after a larger hide I thought I would give this ago myself today and show you my progress.

The Styrofoam bit is pretty simple even for someone like me who totally lakes any creative imagination.

That's it for now as the grouting process takes a bit of time.

Will update after next step.

Very nice so far.

Thanks for sharing this. I'm continually frustrated by the dearth of larger commercial attractive and well made hides.

First coat of grout applied

Did you break the styrofoam by hand? Use a tool? Both?

Any tips or tricks to working with the grout?

Thanks in advance. Love it!

That is so freaking cool!!! I have got to try this cause just wow it is so cool


Nicole

The Styrofoam is just what I had lying around from packaging.

I either broke pieces with my hands to roughly the shape/size I wanted or cut them first with a craft knife to slightly larger than needed and then shaped with my fingers/finger nails to rough up the edges.

The first coat of grout was mixed so it was quite runny so it would find its way into all the knooks and crannies.

It takes 24 hours to dry before subsequent coats can be applied which will be slightly thicker (Mcdonalds milkshake thickness)

4 coats are needed in total and then 2 coats of waterproof pva to seal.

I didn't have any plan before I started, just started breaking bits up and letting it develop as I went.

There are a ton of examples if you google diy rock hide.

The best example of a fake rock wall I have found is at Lizard Landscapes - http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/reptile-terrarium.html

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Second coat of grout