When you hear about the terrarium for the first time, it may mean nothing to you. Things change if we explain that it is a protected space that can reproduce your animal’s natural habitat, if you have a reptile or an amphibian at home, such as a turtle, a snake, a gecko and any type of lizard.
Few experiences are more exciting than bringing a new pet home. But all this makes no sense if you don’t have a safe place to make it live by your side. Don’t worry, because here we will explain to you point by point which is the best terrarium for your pet and what you need to consider when buying one.
Here we had selected some of the best reptile terrariums that are given below.
What Is a Terrarium?
A terrarium is nothing more than a container, almost always made of glass, in which the optimal conditions for welcoming animals and even plants are recreated. Usually, it still remains closed, with the proper ventilation and the right humidity that the animal needs at all times.
If specific characteristics such as humidity, temperature, size, or light are not met, your pet may become stressed, which would seriously affect his health. You must also know in advance his needs and his lifestyle, and if he needs company, life as a couple or alone.
What Accessories Can I Put in The Terrarium?
It is a vast topic since it depends on many factors: your pet’s natural habitat, its needs, its tastes, whether it is alone or not, etc. However, we can still identify six main groups of objects and accessories to be inserted in the terrarium: substrate, drinking trough, elements that imitate the various habitats, plants, backgrounds, and light.
- Substrate: a good land (for spiders, iguanas, snakes, or land turtles) is an excellent complement.
- Drinking troughs: your pet must always have fresh water available.
- Accessories that mimic the animal’s habitat: stone caves, branches, and waterfalls, among others.
- Plants: choose them artificially, because the natural ones are more difficult to care for (due to the warmth of the terrarium).
- Landscape images: this option offers a more natural look. For example, you can search for photos of landscapes with rocks and woods.
- Light: some animals need UV rays, while others need red light bulbs (night animals). But above all, always make sure that the light bulb is covered by a protective net to prevent the animal from accidentally touching it and getting burned.
What Types of Substrates Can I Place in The Terrarium?
Instead of leaving the base of cold glass, the idea is to place a suitable substrate or background according to the type of animal. This will allow him to dig and create tunnels, thus exercising. Another of the advantages is that it offers a more natural environment, making the animal more peaceful and keeping it away from stress.
So, we can classify the most common substrate into three types:
- Calcium sand: for desert animals, which require little humidity.
- Coconut fiber or pine bark: for tropical animals.
- Mosses or fronds: ideal for terrariums in warm environments.
What Habitats and Types of Terrariums Exist?
In general, we can distinguish three large environments in which reptiles and amphibians can live: desert, forest, and tropics. Each of them will require certain characteristics of the terrariums, such as the right humidity, size, temperature, light, or ventilation, among others. Let’s see it with a pattern so that it is clearer.
Because buying a terrarium is not like drinking a glass of water. We must first think about it and examine both our possibilities and those of the animal. Bear in mind that, in most cases, it will be his home for a lifetime.
How to Set up A Terrarium for An Iguana or A Chameleon?
If you think that any terrarium can be suitable for all animal species, you are wrong. In this case, we can precisely explain what these two animals need to enjoy an excellent habitat in your home. We need to take light, humidity, substrate, heating, and decoration into consideration.
- Substrate: a good product is Forest Bark, which you can spread with a thickness of 3 cm on the bottom of the terrarium.
- Lighting: low consumption fluorescent bulbs, with UV ray emission.
- Heating: for iguanas, 100 W ceramic heating lamps. For chameleons, a 50 W heating cable.
- Accessories: both species need adequate feeders and drinkers. Chameleons love to drink from a small waterfall-like source, although they often
- hydrate themselves with the condensation that builds upon the glass of the terrarium.
- Decoration: both iguanas and chameleons need spaces to feel safe.
- Temperature and humidity: the ideal environment has a temperature between 24 ° C and 26 ° C and a humidity of 70%.
How Are Amphibian Terrariums?
The idea is to recreate your pet’s natural habitat in the most convincing way. This is likely to become complicated in the case of an amphibian (such as frogs, tritons, and salamanders, for example). The place where he will live must offer the appropriate conditions. The objects you introduce into the terrarium must be perfectly clean.
We insist on the importance of cleaning because, in humid environments, bacteria reproduce, and we must also pay attention to its nutrition (in many cases, they love fresh products). Also, it is useful that you have a body of water that does not receive direct light, where you can cool off.
Is a Terrarium or An Aquaterrarium Better?
If we talk about amphibians, this big doubt could arise, since not only terrariums exist, but lately aquaterraries are increasing, which have some characteristics in common with the first ones.
The main and obvious difference, however, is that the latter is designed exclusively for aquatic or amphibian animals, which need a lot of humidity to live. Another aspect to underline is the need, for many species, to have a filter to purify the water and keep it clean.
As well as simple access to the aqua terrarium to be able to spray water in a spray. Believe it or not, it is easier to maintain humidity conditions in a large aqua terrarium than in a small one.
Where Can I Place the Terrarium?
Professionals and experts in the field usually recommend placing them on solid and stable surfaces, such as special supports or resistant tables. This possibility should be taken into consideration, as many terrariums are quite heavy, so they cannot be placed anywhere. Also, experts advise keeping them away from visitors.
The best room in the house for a terrarium is the coldest one (not exposed to direct sunlight, away from drafts and radiators) since in this way it will be easier to control the room temperature. And you’ll need to have a power outlet nearby. If you follow these tips, your pet will have no problems.
How to Clean a Terrarium?
It is unnecessary to explain the reasons why it is necessary to keep the environment clean for your pet. The hygiene of your reptile or the smell in the house is more than enough reasons to convince you to dedicate yourself to cleaning the terrarium regularly.
Here we will explain step by step how to do it. Obviously, before proceeding, we must take into consideration some details because the idea is to wear gloves, especially to take the animal (depending on the species. it could also defend itself, thinking of being attacked).
Next, we need to make sure that the process takes place in a safe environment, away from noise and drafts.
- We take animal care and do the same with its accessories and complements. The terrarium must remain empty.
- We eliminate the dirty substrate.
- We mix soap and water in a clean bucket, then gently pass a sponge on the surface of the terrarium, both inside and outside, without neglecting even a corner.
- Then rinse with a clean cloth soaked in warm water, applying a disinfectant. Leave it on for about 20 minutes before continuing.
- We rinse again with the wet sponge to remove all the disinfectants.
- Finally, we dry the terrarium with paper tissues or a clean cloth. Before putting everything back as it was, you need to let it air for a few minutes.
For Beginners
Entering this world is relatively simple, as getting started won’t require a lot of resources. You just have to focus on choosing a specific terrarium for your pet, understand what accessories it will need and what is the right feeding for its species. These are the three main pillars to start.
As we said previously, it is useless to buy only the glass case and the animal, because this will also need its accessories, containers, food, and supplies to have fun. You have to understand that a reptile is not a toy. It’s like having any other animal, like a dog or a cat.
