About Us
The journey began like many in the hobby: as a passionate reptile enthusiast with a deep fascination for these often-misunderstood creatures. Growing up, I cared for various geckos, skinks, and monitors. By 2012, my interest took a more serious turn.
AK Reptiles and Custom Background Designs was established in 2012, focusing initially on breeding certain gecko species, such as Strophurus. It was during this period that I developed an interest in improving their living environments. Disenchanted with plastic, commercial decor, which I found tacky, I researched ways to emulate the natural habitats of reptiles and amphibians.
A solid foundation is essential for a functional environment, leading to my epiphany in 2014. I identified a gap in the Australian market for bio-active substrates and set to work. I discovered that soil wasn't just soil and that plants require specific types with various nutrients to flourish. The challenge was to create three initial soil types; Arid, Temperate & Tropical to meet the needs of the native plants, ensuring they could grow and thrive.
Rewind to 2019, when these products were first introduced to the reptile and amphibian enthusiasts. The initial adoption was gradual, as the Australian hobby community had not fully recognised the advantages of providing a natural environment for reptiles and amphibians. However, in recent years, there has been a significant shift towards embracing natural and expansive habitats for these creatures.
Today, we persist in enhancing and perfecting our offerings, with additional products on the horizon.
Our goal is to continue to assist others in crafting more naturalistic environments for their animals, one habitat at a time.
As a trusted brand in the hobby and the first to offer purpose-made bio-active substrates, be sure to explore our products.
As a small enterprise, we prioritise local sourcing, with 90% of our supplies coming from other small businesses. We strive to engage suppliers that are Australian-owned and operated and provide Australian-made products.
Acknowledgements within the hobby:
- Snakes of Australia 2nd Edition by Scott & Tie Eipper
- Frogs of Australia 2nd Edition by Scott Eipper & Peter Rowland
- Australasian Elapids Husbandry, Captive Care and Ecology by Scott & Tie Eipper