About Us
Alien Arboreal is a private life sciences and research lab advancing the study of living systems and reptile husbandry through interdisciplinary research and ecological innovation. We specialize in the biology, reproduction, and developmental ecology of Correlophus ciliatus (Crested Geckos).
Our lab investigates the biological, chemical, and synthetic mechanisms that shape growth, reproduction, and adaptation in both natural and engineered environments. Through empirical research, ecological modeling, and experimental system design, we develop environments that promote optimal health, behavior, and genetic integrity.
Equally vital to this work is the experiential knowledge of reptile keepers, whose daily observations offer insights that formal research often overlooks. While research identifies broad behavioral trends through controlled experiments, keepers perceive subtle variations in appetite, hydration, thermoregulation, and social behaviour, which reveals deeper biological patterns. Alien Arboreal integrates these perspectives, combining the rigor of scientific inquiry with the intuitive precision honed through years of hands-on care.
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Foundations
Our work integrates disciplines including:
• Microbiology
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Systems Ecology
• Invertebrate and Vertebrate Biology
• Synthetic Biology
• Herpetology
By combining these fields, we study how microbes, plants, soil chemistry, and light interact to influence development and adaptation within living systems. Every habitat, soil profile, and microclimate we design is refined through continuous observation, data collection, and iterative analysis.
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Research
We examine how substrate composition, nutrient gradients, mineral content, and light spectra shape microbial dynamics, plant health, and reptile behavior within controlled ecological systems. Each enclosure functions as a measurable micro-ecosystem, allowing real-time tracking of environmental and biological responses.
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Development & Environmental Design
Juveniles begin in sterile, observation-based environments for precise growth and health monitoring. As they mature, they transition into bioactive systems with live plants, soil microfauna, humidity gradients, and full-spectrum lighting to replicate natural complexity and promote physiological and psychological benefits across all life stages.
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The Broader Vision
Alien Arboreal was founded on the principle that science and keeper insight must inform one another. By merging empirical data with experiential knowledge, we create evidence-based husbandry frameworks that advance ecological modeling, adaptive system design, and environmental bioengineering.
Our mission is to connect research and practice by combining science and intuition to advance understanding, innovation, and care within herpetoculture and the broader reptile community.