Best terrariums for reptiles aren’t always obvious right off the bat. If you’re not familiar with reptile care, then you could end up spending a lot of time researching before you finally find the best terrariums for your pets. What exactly do you add to the bottom of your lizard cage? What exactly do you place in a Leopard gecko’s tank?
Well, some things are pretty basic. All amphibians, including true reptiles, need water. Some amphibians and lizards (namely Geckos and Slugs) don’t require as much water as other species, but many do. You can get the moisture from fish or distilled water, although some amphibians don’t like the taste. Terrestrial and aquatic insects are also important to consider.
So what is the most popular choice among pet owners? Terrestrial terrarium habitats tend to provide the least amount of maintenance and the most effective environment for your pet lizard. Some of the most popular terrestrial habitat types are rock, wood, ceramic tiles, and even concrete. Unfortunately, most of these habitats are unsuitable for most lizards.
While rock and wood are usually fine, they can present some hazards to reptiles. For one, some amphibians are sensitive to cold and need extra heat. And many of them (especially true of lizards and turtles) are predators, meaning that they will have to escape or get rid of their enclosure should it become too cold. Likewise, some of these animals can be susceptible to overheating during the summer months, which can be deadly for them. In addition, some terrestrial terrariums lack adequate ventilation, which can be lethal to reptiles.
Ceramic and Concrete Terariums Are the Best! The best terrariums for reptiles generally come in two basic styles: glass and ceramic. Both provide a great degree of UV protection, and they both require little cleaning. However, glass terrariums tend to be less decorative and more utilitarian, while ceramic terrariums are attractive and give the appearance of space. Ceramic enclosures can be made to imitate any type of terrestrial habitat, including terrariums made to look like logs, rocks, or even bridges. For this reason, bearded dragons and leopards make great candidates for these types of terrariums.
Which One Is the Best? The most obvious answer to the question above is: a stainless-steel frame terrarium. These are the best for bearded dragons and all other species of lizards. This design is extremely durable and offers the best protection from the elements. Additionally, you’ll need almost nothing else in terms of maintenance, and the design tends to be easy to keep clean.
Glass Terrariums Make Great Glass terrariums! Most pet stores carry glass enclosures, and while they won’t look like they’ve been crafted out of the famous author’s novels, they’re still an excellent choice for keeping your pets inside a safe and aesthetically-pleasing enclosure. This option also tends to be the most affordable, so it’s well worth taking the time to browse around your local pet store and see what they have available before making any final decisions.
What Style Is Best? Once you’ve determined which type of terrarium you want, you can narrow down your choices even more. To help you choose the best type of enclosure, it helps to understand exactly which features are important to you. For example, a screen top is always an excellent choice, but is this really a factor if you want a fully-enclosed enclosure that won’t blow up during high winds or rains?
Larger Enclosures Are Better For Reptiles Smaller terrariums are generally best for small pets, such as lizards and cameras. However, these animals are typically best suited to have a glass or stainless steel enclosure instead. While this might seem like it would be a bad idea for pets with larger dimensions (such as iguanas or betas), these pets are actually very good candidates for having larger terrariums because their bodies have the natural tendency to grow. For example, an average-size gecko will reach up to three or four inches in length, so make sure that you don’t get any geckos that are too big for your tank.
Which Plants Are Good? The kind of plants that you use in your reptile terrarium is also important, because certain types of plants can actually cause problems with your tank’s water chemistry. Most people who are choosing plants to use in their aquariums would need to consult their local pet store regarding what kinds of plants are best to use.
Other Factors To Consider Before Picking The Best Terrariums for Reptiles There are a lot of other factors that you need to think about when picking the best terrariums for your pets. It would be best if you could talk to a pet store assistant or someone who has experience in setting up these habitats. It would also be beneficial for you to do research on the different construction materials that you could use for your new habitat. Finally, if you want your new habitat to last for a long time, it would be best if you choose one that is made of non-porous marine-grade materials. These are just some of the things that you need to keep in mind before picking the best reptile terrarium for your friend.