Reptile Housing Tanks

Explaining Housing for Reptiles.

Reptile housing such as reptile vivariums or terrariums can differ in their construction. Vivariums are typically wooden structures with a glass front or glass doors. Terrariums are either fully glass or plastic, allowing for a simulated desert or rainforest environment. Terrariums allow you to place earth, soil, sand, bark, rock, wood, and other substrates inside to make the perfect home for your pet.

Glass reptile tanks come in various sizes as well as structures. For example, you can have a vertical style tank that fits taller plants for reptiles who like to live above the ground. You also have rectangular structures that give more horizontal space than vertical. The typical glass reptile tank has a lid on the top for you to access your pet and feed them.

Due to the glass construction you need ventilation and humidity equipment to see that proper air is dispersed in the tank. You also need special heating equipment. With terrariums you are able to have one end cooler than the other with thermostats and the right heating elements. Since the glass reptile tank terrariums are all glass you can view your pet reptile from just about anywhere. You don’t have to look through just one side of glass. You can also spruce up the glass terrariums with backgrounds. Backgrounds such as forests, desert, etc help add to the habitat within the glass. Some of the glass reptile tanks like the vertical constructions have glass doors on the front. This allows you easier access to the reptiles, as well as for maintenance. You can use a lock to ensure your pet will not escape. Typically the ventilation that comes with these enclosures has UVB lights, with fans, and 5 closable wire tubing. This allows for the use of waterfalls, sensors, and heat rocks.

The type of reptile housing you use will be determined on the size, type of reptile and your budget. You always have to have a tank that fits your reptile or the potential growth of your pet. For example, pythons may start out small, but they grow quickly and can become very large pets depending on the species. They require one of the largest vivariums made by manufacturers. By providing enough space you can also add plants and other accessories they would like.

For smaller reptiles like lizards you can have the smaller plastic terrariums, with lids on the top. These terrariums allow for a variety of substrates, as well as some accessories to make life more comfortable.

Another aspect of choosing the right reptile housing goes to the type of heater you can use with it. Some heaters may not work with plastic terrariums due to where they are attached. For reptiles that need heat mats plastic is not your best option.

Your budget is often the underlying factor for the type and size of your terrarium or vivarium. Just remember that when you adopt a pet you have the responsibility of providing the right health care for them.