{"product_id":"step-fruit-botanical","title":"Natural Dried Step Fruit Pods (Delonix regia)","description":"\u003cp\u003eAdd architectural height, natural climbing ramps, and organic micro-shelters to your enclosures with all-natural Step Fruit Pods. Harvested from the woody seed capsules of the \u003ci\u003eDelonix regia\u003c\/i\u003e (Royal Poinciana) tree, these impressive, elongated botanicals provide functional climbing highways for amphibians and geckos, expansive colonization space for bioactive microfauna, and nutrient-dense biofilm grazing pastures for freshwater aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaching up to nearly two feet in length, Step Fruit pods bring bold visual scale and versatile multi-level functionality to both terrestrial and aquatic setups. In bioactive vivariums, their rigid, gently arched woody structure forms a naturalistic bridge or ramp, connecting damp floor substrate to elevated cork bark branches and canopy ledges—an ideal feature for dart frogs and small lizards navigating vertical territory. The segmented, ribbed inner channels create high-humidity micro-caverns where isopods and springtails gather, breed, and graze. When submerged in blackwater or botanical-style aquascapes, these thick woody pods release gentle humic substances while developing a rich layer of surface biofilm that sustains freshwater dwarf shrimp, plecos, and grazing snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNatural Incline Ramp \u0026amp; Biophilic Bridge:\u003c\/b\u003e Expansive length and gentle curvature create an accessible highway between ground substrate and upper branches for dart frogs, mourning geckos, and arboreal microfauna.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRibbed Microfauna Caverns:\u003c\/b\u003e Distinct segmented chambers form sheltered, high-humidity zones that encourage active colonization, feeding, and breeding for isopods and springtails.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBroad Biofilm Grazing Surface:\u003c\/b\u003e Generous surface area cultivates an abundant microscopic graze-pad, delivering sustained natural supplemental nutrition for dwarf shrimp, snails, and fry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHeavy-Duty Woody Longevity:\u003c\/b\u003e Dense, thick-walled pod construction resists rapid decay, maintaining structural integrity across months of high humidity or direct water submersion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e100% Organically Sourced \u0026amp; Sun-Dried:\u003c\/b\u003e Harvested in India without synthetic fertilizers, bleaching agents, or pesticides—completely safe for sensitive amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic invertebrates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eDelonix regia\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/b\u003e Step Fruit Pods, Flamboyant Tree Pods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/b\u003e India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e Approximately 30 to 53 cm L × 3.8 to 5 cm W (12\"–21\" L × 1.5\"–2\" W)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e 100% natural, sun-dried woody botanical pod\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTannin Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePack Sizes Available:\u003c\/b\u003e 1 Count, 3 Count, 10 Count\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eApplications:\u003c\/b\u003e Bioactive terrariums, dart frog vivariums, isopod bins, large blackwater aquariums, and botanical biotope displays\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTarget Species:\u003c\/b\u003e Poison dart frogs, mourning geckos, arboreal micro lizards, isopods, springtails, \u003ci\u003eNeocaridina\u003c\/i\u003e \u0026amp; \u003ci\u003eCaridina\u003c\/i\u003e dwarf shrimp, and plecos\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKeeper’s Tips\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVivarium Ramp Placement:\u003c\/b\u003e Anchor one end firmly into the drainage\/substrate layer and rest the upper end securely against vertical cork bark or branch forks. This creates a gradual incline that allows terrestrial dart frogs and juvenile geckos to access higher basking and feeding zones without slipping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAquarium Prep (Large Vessels Required):\u003c\/b\u003e Because these pods range between 12 and 21 inches, use an oversized stockpot or roaster for preparation. Boil for at least 15 to 20 minutes to expel trapped air from the dense fibers, then soak in fresh, clean water until fully waterlogged and sinking reliably.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBioactive Isopod Nurseries:\u003c\/b\u003e Place pods concave-side down directly along the moist side of your vivarium or culture bin. The hollow underside traps humidity, creating a safe, dark retreat where isopods can congregate and molt safely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNatural Character:\u003c\/b\u003e Every pod is an untreated botanical; natural variations in length, curvature, fluting depth, and deep mahogany-brown coloration are completely normal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"NaturePods Botanicals","offers":[{"title":"1 Step Fruit Pod","offer_id":47105053950151,"sku":"1StepFruit","price":3.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Step Fruit Pods","offer_id":47105053982919,"sku":"3 StepFruit","price":10.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Step Fruit Pods","offer_id":47105054015687,"sku":"10 Step Fruit","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0791\/8590\/3815\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_a73fb4a6-7aac-47ec-bc3a-0ea5bf4b208a.jpg?v=1788694886","url":"https:\/\/rachelsreptileresource.shop\/products\/step-fruit-botanical","provider":"Rachel's Reptile Resource","version":"1.0","type":"link"}