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When making a reptile terrarium you need to consider the size and type of reptile you will be keeping. A tall cage with climbing plants or branches will be more suitable for an arboreal (climbing) species, a low, wide cage will be a better home for a ground dwelling reptile. A reptile terrarium can be a specially purchased reptile cage or can be adapted from an aquarium or a glass fronted wooden cage. Specially made reptile lamps can be purchased for providing basking areas.
Before you make or purchase your reptile terrarium these points should be taken into consideration. It should be draft proof, escape proof, heat resistant, moisture resistant, well lit and as large as is practical.
Before you purchase the reptile for your terrarium consider the size it will grow to. Boas and pythons, as we all know, grow to over 20ft. Green iguanas may grow to as much as 6ft. Also consider the mix of species if you intend to keep more than one type. Only mix species known to be compatible.
Aquatic terrariums are similar to fish aquariums but have less water, usually between four and six inches. They need a filter and heater and a layer of gravel on the bottom. A basking area should be provided by adding rocks or other terrarium ornaments that stand above the water and a basking lamp above the rocks for warmth. The lid should be vented or a secure wire screen for ventilation. A background should also be added to help make your pets feel more secure and to look attractive.
Some pets suitable for an aquatic terrarium include salamanders, frogs, newts,water snakes.
These are similar to aquatic terrariums but also have a dry area that can be separated by a glass screen or the water can be added to a removable container in the terrarium. The dry area can be planted or can be can be gravel with rocks and other decorations depending on the type of reptile you are going to house.
For a planted area use a layer of charcoal, to act as a filter, covered by filter floss and sphagnum moss or potting compost. Add driftwood, rocks or other ornaments then small plants if required. A basking area is also needed for most reptiles so provide one in the dry area at one end by adding a basking lamp to the lid. The other areas of the terrarium should be cooler.
Some pets suitable for an semi-aquatic terrarium include turtles, newts, frogs crocodile lizards and many of the aquatic reptiles.
Woodland terrariums are land terrariums only with a water source for the reptiles. The base can be gravel or potting compost if you are going to add plants. Whether you have plants will depend on the type of reptile you are going to keep. Climbing reptiles will need tall plants or branches, ground dwelling reptiles will be happy with rocks and gravel. You should also provide caves for reptiles to hide in. Suitable plants for a woodland terrarium include philodendrons, ferns, mosses and any other terrarium plants. Apart from a light misting occasionally they are easy to keep and virtually maintenance free. As in other types of terrarium you will also need a basking area and most woodland species need full spectrum lighting.
Some pets suitable for a woodland terrarium include anoles, salamanders, snakes and tree frogs.
A desert terrarium is, of course, very dry and may have a sandy bottom with desert loving plants such as cacti and other succulents. Reptile bedding or bark can also be used on the bottom. Full spectrum lighting is necessary for most dessert loving reptiles and a basking area is needed.
Some pets suitable for a desert terrarium include spiny and collared lizards, desert iguanas, leopard geckos.
Images by b.e.n., Pacdog and dotpolka
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