Reptile Terrariums

What is needed in a terrarium is some type of earthen contact. This isn’t needed in a vivarium, so that is another big difference between the two. Terrariums can be used for reptiles that live in the desert or amphibians that prefer a rainy environment. Products that can be put into the terrarium are sand, rock, wood, bark and a soil substance.

Decorating the terrarium can be accomplished with real plants or artificial greenery. Finding the perfect plants, vines or branches is easy when you order online. There is a large selection of artificial plants, ferns, vines, branches, tree trunks and other desert or tropical items. A very important part of the terrarium is the lighting. It can be totally external or internal with the proper fixtures. A light canopy or a light controller are good choices for a terrarium. Depending on what type of reptile or amphibian you have in the terrarium you may want to purchase a pro timer so that the lighting is perfect.

Placing the proper equipment in the terrarium for warming the reptile is another important factor. Heating the terrarium can be done by using a heat mat, heat lamp, or heating cable. Putting a thermometer in the terrarium can also tell you when you need more or less heat inside. If you need a desert environment for your reptile look into purchasing one that has a desert habitat kit included. It will come with a glass terrarium, two front doors so that the reptile cannot get free and a full metal screen at the top for great ventilation. There should also be ventilation in the front. Many will feature a rock background and come with items to decorate the terrarium.

A desert habitat kit will include a lighting system so you can be sure that it is appropriate for your reptile. Other items that are in the kit will be the substrate, rock outcropping, plant, water dish, hiding cave and a care guide for reptiles. A kit is the perfect way for a beginner to get started because everything necessary for the reptile is included. There are two sizes of the desert habitat kit: small and medium.

If you find you don’t have a cabinet or countertop to set your terrarium on they can be put on top of a purchased cabinet. They come in 45cm, 60cm and 90cm sizes. They are taller than they are wide with an enclosed cabinet for storage as well as two open shelves for even more storage space. The cabinet will come in an oak finish.

Terrarium Information & Products

Once you have decided on which reptile you want for a pet it will be necessary to purchase a vivarium or terrarium. Keep in mind that a terrarium needs to have contact with some type of soil or part of the earth. It can be a rock, sand, soil, bark or wood. They can be made of glass or plastic.

Many of the glass terrariums have been designed by European herpetologists. A set of doors in the front of the terrarium gives easy access to the pet reptile for feeding and maintenance purposes. The lock on the doors will not allow the escape of the reptile or amphibian. This type of set up also means the doors can be opened one at a time.

The terrarium comes with a full screened top ventilation system. This means that UVB and infrared light can penetrate the terrarium easily. The top screen can be removed completely for cleaning of the terrarium or to decorate.

Adding accessories to the terrarium is easy with the screen cover on the top of the terrarium. It has five closable tube or wire inlets. These can be used for installing heat wave rocks, sensors or waterfalls to the terrarium. If your reptile must have heat from the bottom of the terrarium the bottom plate is raised so that a substrate heater can be added.

If you only have a small space at home for a terrarium the naturalistic design terrarium is going to be the right one for this area. It has a full front glass opening that snaps closed. The stainless steel screen top can accommodate a dome clamp fixture or a light bar. Since the screen is stainless steel it will not corrode as other substances might.
This top screen also allows UVA and UVB light to penetrate into the terrarium. The screen holes are small enough to keep insects for feeding your reptile in the terrarium.

The door is able to be locked if you purchase a lock. This will provide a safe and secure environment for your pet reptile. Because of the top and front ventilation system your reptile will always have a great supply of fresh air. If you need or want to have a water environment in the terrarium it will be watertight.

If you are a beginner in herpetoculture you may prefer to purchase a terrarium habitat kit. The rainforest kit comes with a glass terrarium, two front doors, the items needed to provide decoration for the reptile and an escape free access. There is a front window ventilation as well as a top screen ventilation. The background that comes with the rainforest habitat kit is of natural looking rocks. A compact lighting system is included but the bulbs are not. The final parts of the kit include a care guide, water dish, substrate, jungle vines and jungle plants.

A beginning desert habitat kit would come with all the necessary items for setting up a less humid environment for your pet reptile, but with the decorations, care guide, water dish, substrate, rocks and plants.