3D Printed Frog Home: A Cozy Pod for My White’s Tree Frogs

When I started designing a new home for my frogs, I wanted something functional, natural-looking, and just plain fun. I didn’t find what I wanted online—so I designed it myself.

🛠️ Designed in Onshape — A Free and Powerful Tool

The pod started as a simple idea: a curved, cozy nook that blends into the leafy environment of our terrarium. I used Onshape, a free, cloud-based CAD program that’s amazing for hobbyists, students, and makers like me. Since it runs in the browser, I can tweak my designs anywhere—even while keeping an eye on the frogs.

With its parametric modeling tools, I was able to create mounting tabs for easy enclosure attachment using suction cups (like our little jumpy friends!), a deep rounded interior for frog lounging, and airflow cutouts for ventilation. I wanted the frog home to be super curvy so that every edge was frog-safe, able to be climbed on and lounged on.

🖨️ Printed on My Bambu Labs Machine

Once the design was dialed in, I printed it on my Bambu Labs 3D printer. The first version was a full-size test in green filament to match the plants—turns out the frogs are big fans. They've been spotted hanging out inside and on it daily, sometimes two at a time!

The surface texture came out great, and the material is easy to rinse and mist down with the rest of the habitat. Plus, the pod holds up beautifully in the warm, humid conditions of the terrarium.

📦 What’s Next: Smaller Version + Etsy Release

Right now, I’m working on a modified version (including a rear window for viewing our green friends, as well as a scaled-down version that’s quicker to print and perfect for smaller tanks or juvenile frogs. Once that’s tested and frog-approved, I’ll be offering both STL files and printed versions for sale on my Etsy shop—so you can bring a slice of this jungle pod to your own frogs, geckos, or arboreal pets.

Keep an eye out—launch is coming soon!