Vivarium

A vivarium 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.

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. 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.

Flora and fauna

There are various forms of vivarium, including:

Aquarium simulating a water habitat; for instance a river, lake or sea; but only the submerged area of these natural habitats.
Insectarium (containing insects)
- Formicarium (with species of ants) - see ant farm
Paludarium is a vivarium, simulating a rain forest or swamp environment.
Riparium is a vivarium, simulating a river, this vivarium could also be seen as an aquarium interconnected with a terrarium, having both the underwater area as well as the shore, often used for aquatic lizards.
Terrarium simulating a dry habitat, for instance desert or savannah.

Many kinds of plants are suitable for these habitats, including bromeliads, African Violets and Crassulaceae. Animals commonly held for observation include reptiles, amphibians, insects, spiders, and scorpions.

Size and materials

It is usually made of a clear container (often plastic or glass). But because, unlike an aquarium, it doesn't need to hold the huge pressure of water, it can also be made out of wood or metal, with at least one transparent side. 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 subtrates are : common soil, small pebbles, sand, peat, chips of various trees, 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 mould, conservation of water), if it's dangerous (risk of absorption by an animal) and aesthetic aspect.

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 an infrared bulb is necessary to simulate this in a terrarium.

Also, certain plants or diurnal animals need a source of UV to help synthetize Vitamin D and assimilate calcium. 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.

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:

heating lamps or infrared lamps
hot plates, providing heat at the base or sides of a terrarium
heating cords placed in the substrate
a more complex equipment sending hot air inside

Similar to lighting, a decrease in temperature might be needed for the simulated night periods, thus keeping living species healthy. Such variation need to be coherent to those found in the natural habitats of the species.

Humidity

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

The regulation of humidity can be done by several means:

regular water pulverization
water evaporation inside (from a basin, or circulation of water)
automated pulverization systems and humidifiers

Ventilation and openings

Access inside terrarium is necessary for maintenance, to take care of the plants and animals, or addition and withdrawal of food. In the case of some animals, a frontal opening is preferable because accessing by the top recalls to these species the arrival of a predator, and generates some stress.

Ventilation is important for the renewal of the air but also to avoid the stagnation of humid and vitiated air, favourable of the development of moulds and bacteria (especially in wet and hot terrariums). The traditional method consists of placing a fan at a low level and another at a high level, thus allowing air circulation.

External links

See rivertank.com for an example of a working paludarium and riparium.

See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheNaturalisticVivarium for an online Vivarium group.

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