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Two glass terrariums with plants.
Two glass terrariums with plants.
"Terrarium" redirects here. For the novel by Scott Russell Sanders, see Terrarium (book). Terrarium, ISBN 0-812-55380-2 is a 1985 Science fiction Novel by essayist Scott Russell Sanders published by Tor science fiction

A vivarium (Latin, literally for "place of life;" plural: vivaria or vivariums) is an area, usually enclosed, for keeping and raising animals or plants for observation or research. Often, a portion of the ecosystem for a particular species is simulated on a smaller scale, with controls for environmental conditions. An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants animals and micro-organisms( Biotic factors in an area functioning together with all of the non-living physical (

A vivarium may be small enough to sit on a desk or table, such as a terrarium or an aquarium, or may be a very large structure, possibly outdoors. An aquarium (plural aquariums or aquaria) is a Vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which Water -dwelling Plants Large vivaria, particularly those holding organisms capable of flight, typically include some sort of a dual-door mechanism such as a sally port for entry and exit, so that the outer door can be closed to prevent escape before the inner door is opened. The primary modern meaning for sally port is a small controlled space with two doors

Contents

Flora and Fauna

There are various forms of vivarium, including:

Many kinds of plants are suitable for these habitats, including bromeliads, African Violets and Crassulaceae. The Crassulaceae, or orpine family, is a family of Dicotyledons They store water in their Succulent leaves Animals commonly held for observation include reptiles, amphibians, insects, spiders, and scorpions, small birds are also good. Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia are air-breathing Cold-blooded Vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers Prehistoric amphibian Amphibians (class Amphibia such as Frogs Toads Salamanders Newts Gymnophiona, Sirens and Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Spiders are Predatory Invertebrate Animals that have two body segments, eight legs no chewing mouth parts and no wings Scorpions are eight-legged Carnivorous Arthropods They are members of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida.

Size and materials

It is usually made of a clear container (often plastic or glass). Unless it is an aquarium, it doesn't need to withstand the pressure of water, so it can also be made out of wood or metal, with at least one transparent side. The new fashion in vivariums are those constructed from epoxy-coated plywood and fitted with sliding glass doors. Coating the inside of a plywood vivarium helps to retain the natural effect of the environment. Epoxy-coated plywood vivariums retain heat better than glass or plastic enclosures and are able to withstand high degrees of humidity. They may be cubical, spherical, rectangular, or other shapes. The choice of materials depends on the desired size and weight of the entire ensemble, resistance to high humidity, the cost and the desired quality.

The ground surface must be calculated to be enough for the species living inside, at their adult size. The height can also be important for the larger plants, climbing plants, or for tree climbing animal species. The width must be big enough to create the sensation of depth, both for the pleasure of the spectator and the good of the species inside.

Most used substrates are : common soil, small pebbles, sand, peat, chips of various trees, wood mulch, vegetable fibres (of coconut for example), or a combination of them. The choice of the substrate depends on the needs of the plants (type of ground), or of the animals (need to dig galleries for example), moisture (resistance to mold, conservation of water), the risks involved (e. g. the risk of absorption by an animal) and aesthetic aspects. Sterile vivariums sometimes used to ensure high levels of hygiene (especially during quarantine periods), generally have very straightforward, easily removable substrates such as paper tissue, wood chips and even newspaper.

Environmental controls

Lighting

A lighting system is necessary, always adapted to the requirements of the animal and plant species. For example, certain reptiles in their natural environment need to heat themselves by the sun, so various bulbs may be necessary to simulate this in a terrarium.

Also, certain plants or diurnal animals need a source of UV to help synthesize Vitamin D and assimilate calcium. In Animal behavior, diurnality indicates an Animal that is active during the Daytime and rests during the Night. Ultraviolet ( UV) light is Electromagnetic radiation with a Wavelength shorter than that of Visible light, but longer than X-rays Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble Prohormones, the two major forms of which are vitamin D2 (or Ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (or Such UV can be provided by specialized fluorescent tubes.

A day/night regulator might be needed to simulate with accuracy the alternation of light and dark periods. The duration of the simulated day and night depends on the conditions in the natural habitat of the species and the season desired. A habitat (which is Latin for "it inhabits" is an Ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular Species.

Temperature

The temperature can be a very important parameter for species that cannot adapt to other conditions than those found in their natural habitat.

Heating can be provided by several means, all of which are usually controlled by a thermostat:

Similar to lighting, a decrease in temperature might be needed for the simulated night periods, thus keeping living species healthy. In Biology a substrate is the surface a plant or animal lives upon Such variation need to be coherent to those found in the natural habitats of the species. Thermo-control systems are often used to regulate light cycles and heating, as well as humidity (coupled to built-in misting or rain systems). Light-dependent resistors or photo-diodes connected to the lighting are frequently used to simulate daytime, evening and nighttime light cycles, as well as timers to switch lighting and heating on and off when necessary.

Humidity

Many plants and animals have quite limited tolerance to the variation of moisture.

The regulation of humidity can be done by several means:

Ventilation and openings

Access inside the vivarium is required for the purpose of maintenance, to take care of the plants and animals, or for the addition and withdrawal of food. In the case of some animals, a frontal opening is preferable because accessing a vivarium from the top is associated by some species with the presence of predators and can therefore cause unncessary stress.

Ventilation is not just important for circulating air, but also for preventing the growth of mold and development and spread of harmful bacteria. This is especially important in warm, humid vivariums. The traditional method consists of placing a suction fan (or ventilation slits) at a low level and another exhaust fan at a higher level, which allows the continual circulation of fresh air.

See also

External links

Dictionary

vivarium

-noun

  1. A place artificially arranged for keeping or raising living animals.
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