Smart Habitat for Native NZ Lizards

New Zealand is home to a unique and diverse range of native lizards, including skinks and geckos found nowhere else on Earth. These remarkable reptiles are not only ecologically important but also increasingly threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and introduced predators. As guardians of our native fauna, it's our responsibility to ensure their survival, both in the wild and in captivity.

This project aims to create a smart, self-regulating terrarium using Tuya-based home automation to replicate the natural environmental conditions that New Zealand lizards need to thrive. By integrating sensors and smart devices, we can automatically manage temperature, humidity, and lighting to mimic seasonal cycles and microclimates, just as they would experience in the wild.

This system supports:

1. Optimal health and wellbeing of captive lizards
2. Accurate seasonal cues for natural behaviors like breeding and hibernation
3. Reduced human error in husbandry
4. Educational and conservation value for keepers and researchers

By combining modern technology with best-practice ecological knowledge, this project demonstrates how smart homes can also be smart habitats - helping protect and preserve our precious native species for generations to come.

I've also attached the latest 'Best Practice Guide' for keeping NZ lizards in captivity.

Hardware:

1. Tuya Temperature and humidity sensor - link
2. Tuya Light sensor - link
3. Tuya Smart plugs - link
4. Tuya Smart Watering System - link
5. Small Fans - link
6. Halogen basking lamp - link
7. Lamp Socket - link
8. Reptile Lamp - link
9. DC Power supply for fans
10. Misting system or humidifier - link
11. Enclosure with mesh top and ventilation - link

Software:

1. Tuya Smart or Smart Life app

A well-designed terrarium for native New Zealand lizards should replicate their natural habitat as closely as possible, offering a range of microclimates and environmental enrichment. Here's a breakdown of what the layout should include:

Size & Structure

1. Minimum dimensions: 50 cm (W) × 50 cm (D) × 100 cm (H)
2. Vertical space is important for climbing species like geckos
3. Use a mesh or ventilated top for airflow and to mount lighting

Environmental Zones

1. Basking Area
2. Located at the top or upper side of the enclosure
3. Includes a halogen basking lamp for localised heat
4. Should reach 25–28°C during the day
5. Place a flat rock or branch under the lamp for basking
6. Cool Retreat
7. The opposite side or a lower section of the terrarium
8. Dense foliage or a hide box to provide shade and security
9. It should stay around 15–20°C
10. Moist Microclimate
11. A small area with damp sphagnum moss or moist substrate
12. Helps with shedding and hydration
13. Keep the humidity here around 70–80%

Furnishings & Substrate

1. Live native plants (e.g., ferns, mosses) for humidity and cover
2. Branches and rocks for climbing and basking
3. Leaf litter or bark chips as substrate
4. Water dish: Shallow and easy to clean

Disease Prevention

To help prevent any transmissible diseases, it's recommended to sterilise items such as driftwood and rocks. I did this by placing the items in a large pot and boiling them on a gas burner for a few minutes. If you are reusing a terrarium from a previous reptile, it's a good idea to thoroughly wash and disinfect it first. Be sure to rinse of any soaps as a final step.

Each of the devices will be connected into a Tuya Smart plug device, this will allow you to control when they are on and off.

Open the Tuya Smart app, and for each smart device select the '+' button and select 'Add Device' and follow the prompts to complete the device setup. You should give each device a name that reflects what it's function will be, eg: 'Basking Lamp", "UVB Light" etc...

Finally, create a 'Room' for all the devices in the given enclosure and give it a relevant name. I named mine 'Lizard Land'. This is important if you have more than one enclosure.

UVB Light

This is the primary light for the habitat and is normally a tube that runs the majority of the Terrarium.

Basking lamp

This lamp is a more focused bulb that will deliver more heat into a concentrated area where the lizard can bask. This should be at the designated 'hot' zone, typically above a rock or piece of wood.

Ventilation Fans

For my fans I used a couple of small 12v computer fans connected to an old laptop power supply. The fans should be installed in such a way to assist the natural airflow. If the habbitate gets to hot or humid then the fans can help return conditions to normal by transferring fresh air into the Terrarium.

Humidifier (Optional)

I haven't yet implemented an automated spray system for water into the Terrarium, and just use a small spray bottle. But I will eventually have a small water pump to spray the wet end automatically. The watering systems I've found so far cost a little more and I'm looking for a more affordable option.

Using the same process, add the sensors into the Tuya Smart app and add them into the room you created earlier.

Temperature/Humidity Sensor

You should have a sensor at each end of the Terrarium so you can monitor each zone. The sensors should be installed at mid-height on the sides of the enclosure

Light Sensor

The luminosity sensor should be installed away from the enclosure, where it can detect the natural day/night cycles. By placing it on a windowsill or outside it be able to provide data on any seasonal differences.

Use the Tuya Smart app to create the following automation by going into the 'Scene' menu and selecting the 'Automation' option.

Start by using the 'Create Scene' button and then 'When device status changes' and select the temp and humidity sensor

I used the following logic for my set up

🌡️ Temperature Control

1. IF temperature > 28°C → THEN turn on fan
2. IF temperature < 15°C → THEN turn on basking lamp
3. IF temperature > 30°C → THEN send alert (danger zone)
4. IF temperature < 5°C → THEN send alert (danger zone)

💧 Humidity Control

1. IF humidity > 80% → THEN turn on fans
2. IF humidity < 60% → THEN turn on humidifier/mister (I'm still developing this)

☀️ Light Cycle Automation

1. Use the light sensor to match natural photoperiod:
2. IF ambient light > 1000 Lux (day time) → THEN turn on UVB light
3. IF ambient light < 1000 Lux (night time) → THEN turn off UVB light
4. Alternatively, use sunrise/sunset schedules based on your location to simulate seasonal changes.

To ensure your lizards are always safe—even when you're not actively monitoring the terrarium—you can configure the Tuya Smart app to send real-time alerts when environmental conditions fall outside safe ranges.

Why This Matters

Native NZ lizards are sensitive to temperature and humidity extremes. Prolonged exposure to:

1. Temperatures above 30°C can cause heat stress or death
2. Temperatures below 5°C can lead to hypothermia
3. Humidity below 50% can cause shedding issues
4. Humidity above 90% can lead to fungal infections

How to Set Up Alerts

1. Open the Tuya Smart app
2. Navigate to your temperature/humidity sensor device
3. Tap the “…” or settings icon in the top right
4. Select “Alarm Settings” or “Notification Settings”
5. Enable “Temperature Alert” and set:
6. High threshold: 28–30°C
7. Low threshold: 10°C (or 5°C for cold-tolerant species)
8. Enable “Humidity Alert” and set:
9. High threshold: 85–90%
10. Low threshold: 55–60%
11. Choose how you want to be notified:
12. Push notification
13. Email (if supported)
14. Trigger automation (e.g., turn on fan or humidifier)

1. Use the Tuya app to monitor trends and receive alerts.
2. Clean sensors and devices monthly.
3. Replace UVB bulbs every 6–12 months, depending on brand.

Tips for Success

1. Provide multiple microclimates so lizards can self-regulate.
2. Use naturalistic furnishings like bark, rocks, and live plants.
3. Avoid over-humidifying—ventilation is key to preventing fungal infections.
4. Keep a log of environmental data and lizard behaviour for optimisation.