Enclosure space is the second consideration, and it’s one that catches a lot of new keepers out. Many species sold small as juveniles need considerably more room as adults, and an enclosure that felt generous at first can become cramped within a year or two. Researching the adult size of a species, and the enclosure dimensions that go with it, before bringing the animal home avoids the costly cycle of upgrading tanks every few months.
Whatever route a new keeper takes, the same principle holds: have the vivarium fully set up and running for a few days before the animal arrives, so temperatures and humidity have settled before anything moves in. A Northampton Reptile Centre-experienced vet is the right point of contact for anything that looks off once the animal is home, rather than adjusting husbandry on guesswork.
Most reptile substrates are sold as general-purpose products, suitable in theory for a wide range of species with only minor adjustments. The ProRep Beardie Life range takes a different approach, building a substrate and accessory system around a single species, the bearded dragon, rather than adapting a generic mix to fit.
Read more from reptile equipment retailer.
Strictly speaking, a terrarium originally referred to a planted enclosure built around live vegetation, closer to a small indoor garden than a housing unit for an animal. A vivarium, by contrast, technically refers to any enclosure built to house a living creature, whether that’s a reptile, amphibian or invertebrate, with or without live planting. In practice, though, UK retailers and keepers use both terms fairly loosely, often depending on regional habit or supplier naming rather than any strict definition.
Find out more at reptile shop online.
