Zilla Rock Lairs Review: A Detailed Look at a Popular Reptile Hide

Reptile and amphibian owners are always looking for ways to recreate a naturalistic environment for their pets. One essential element is providing plenty of hides and shelters. The Zilla Rock Lairs are a popular artificial rock hide option. In this detailed review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, pros and cons, accessories, usage and maintenance of the Zilla Rock Lairs to help you decide if they are the right choice for your herp.

Overview of the Zilla Rock Lairs

The Zilla Rock Lair is an artificial rock hide designed to look and function like natural rock formations The main goal is to provide reptiles and amphibians with a secure place to hide and feel safe

Some key features of the Zilla Rock Lairs include

• Made from durable plastic resin shaped and textured to mimic natural rock
• Comes in top and bottom pieces that fit together
• Has a side entrance for easy access
• The top seals tightly to hold in humidity
• Rough external texture helps aid shedding
• Available in Small, Medium, and Large sizes

The hides are lightweight but sturdy and designed to blend into naturalistic vivarium or terrarium landscapes The side opening allows some airflow to prevent mold growth. It can serve as a humid hide, a cool hide, or a spot for egg laying

Zilla Rock Lairs Review: The Pros

There are several benefits to choosing the Zilla Rock Lairs as an artificial hide:

• Natural aesthetic: The rock-like sculpted detail and textures give the hide a realistic look. This helps it blend in seamlessly in natural enclosures.

• High humidity retention: The tight-fitting lid seals moisture inside, creating a humid microclimate. This aids shedding and respiration for species that prefer moderate to high humidity.

• ** Egg laying habitat:** The humid interior provides an ideal spot for reptiles or amphibians to deposit eggs. The two-piece assembly makes it easy to access the eggs.

• Shedding aid: The rough exterior provides a surface for reptiles to rub against, helping remove old skin during a shed.

• Stable and durable: Made from thick, sturdy plastic resin that maintains its shape. Provides stable support and won’t easily tip over.

• Three size options: The Small, Medium, and Large choices accommodate species from juvenile geckos up to adult ball pythons.

• Easy to clean: The two-piece assembly separates for quick cleaning and access.

Zilla Rock Lairs Review: The Cons

The main downsides of the Zilla Rock Lair to consider are:

• Prone to mold: The enclosed humid interior can develop mold fairly quickly without careful monitoring and cleaning.

• Size runs small: Many buyers report the hides are smaller than expected. Dimensions may be misleading.

• Cracking over time: The plastic material can become brittle and develop cracks with normal use over 1-2 years.

• No temperature control: The solid shell provides security but doesn’t allow any temperature regulation. Can get too hot under basking spots.

• Large is extra big: The Extra Large size is really best suited for large snakes, monitors, or tortoises, too big for most geckos.

• No drainage: The sealed bottom holds in all moisture. No way for excess water to escape.

Recommended Accessories for the Zilla Rock Lairs

To help optimize the performance of the Zilla Rock Lairs, these are some recommended accessories:

• Zilla Jungle Mix: This blend of sphagnum moss and fir shavings is very moisture retentive. It’s ideal for creating a humid microclimate inside the hide.

• Zilla Coconut Husk Bricks: The compressed bricks expand into absorbent coconut fiber to help maintain humidity and incubation conditions.

• Mist King Misting System: Misting systems are excellent for keeping humidity levels stable to prevent mold and dried out substrates.

• Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat: A thermostat lets you regulate temperatures to prevent the hide from overheating.

• Zoo Med Reptile Thermometer: Crucial for monitoring temperatures inside the hide and the enclosure.

How to Use Zilla Rock Lairs

Using the Zilla Rock Lair is very straightforward:

1. Choose a location in the enclosure for the hide – either the warm or cool side.

2. Position the entrance hole where your reptile or amphibian can easily access it.

3. Fit the top securely onto the base.

4. For a humid hide, add a moisture-retaining substrate like sphagnum moss or coconut fiber. Mist periodically to maintain humidity.

5. For egg laying, create a deep layer of incubation medium like vermiculite or perlite that will hold humidity.

6. Monitor temperatures using a thermometer and make adjustments to prevent overheating.

7. Clean the hide weekly by removing waste. Disassemble fully for deep cleaning monthly or as needed.

Maintenance Tips for Zilla Rock Lairs

To keep the Zilla Rock Lair functioning properly for the long term:

• Check humidity levels daily and mist as needed to prevent drying out.

• Inspect for mold growth weekly in humid hides. Remove and replace substrate if mold develops.

• Monitor temperatures closely during the first week to determine if cooling modifications are needed.

• Clean waste and urates out weekly with a scoop or tongs. Don’t allow buildup.

• Every 1-2 months, fully disassemble the hide, discard old substrate, wash and disinfect the pieces.

• Keep an eye out for cracks developing over time. Discard and replace hides that become brittle or start splintering.

• Always make sure the lid is securely in place after any cleaning or maintenance.

Zilla Rock Lairs: Ideal Uses

The Zilla Rock Lairs work best for:

• Humid hides for geckos, snakes, frogs, salamanders, newts

• Egg deposition sites for geckos, snakes, anoles, skinks

• Cool hides for bearded dragons, iguanas, monitor lizards

• Quarantine enclosures for sick reptiles or amphibians

• Shelter for shy, reclusive species like chameleons

• Juvenile or hatchling enclosures that require high humidity

• Tropical or temperate species like crested geckos, gargoyle geckos, ball pythons

Are the Zilla Rock Lairs a Good Value?

The Zilla Rock Lairs provide a lot of useful functionality at a reasonable price point. The three size options make them versatile for housing a wide range of herp species.

They compare well to competitor products in the same category like Exo Terra rock caves. The Exo Terra caves do blend in more naturally, but the Zilla Lairs have the added benefits of higher humidity retention and easier access for egg removal.

For shoppers on a budget or who need multiple hides, the Zilla Rock Lairs strike a great balance of quality, durability, and affordability. Overall, they deliver good value for the price.

Summary: Should You Get Zilla Rock Lairs?

For keepers looking to add secure, naturalistic hides with humidity control, the Zilla Rock Lairs are a smart choice. They can serve many functions like humid retreat, nest box, or egg deposition site. The three sizes fit a wide span of reptiles and amphibians.

Downsides like mold risk and temperature regulation can be mitigated with careful maintenance and heating adjustments. The hides may crack over time, but they provide good usefulness for 1-2 years with proper care.

In the end, Zilla Rock Lairs present pet owners with an affordable and attractive hide option that animals will enjoy using. With some initial experimentation to achieve ideal conditions, Zilla Rock Lairs can become a longtime fixture of naturalistic vivariums and terrariums.