Vivarium

A vivarium (Latin, literally for "place of life"; plural: vivaria or vivariums)

is a usually enclosed area 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.

There are various forms of vivarium, including:

1. Aquarium, simulating a water habitat; for instance a river, lake or sea;

but only the submerged area of these natural habitats. Plants in the
water will use some nitrogen present within the system, and will
provide areas for organisms to hide and forage.
2. Insectarium, containing insects and arachnids.

3. Formicarium, with species of ants.

4. Paludarium, simulating a rain forest or swamp environment. It also

can be seen as an aquarium interconnected with a terrarium, having
both the underwater area as well as the shore.

5. Riparium, a paludarium with circulating current through different-

leveled pools

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 6. Terrarium, simulating a dry habitat, for instance desert or savannah. A
terrarium can also be formed to create a temperate woodland habitat,
and even a jungle like habitat. This can be created with pebbles, leaf
litter, and soil. By misting the terrarium, a natural water cycle occurs
within the environment by condensation forming on the lid causing
precipitation. Plants suitable for this type of terrarium environment
include moss and tree seedlings. 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, scorpions, and small birds.

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.

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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. 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 and heat mats, providing heat at the base or sides of a
terrarium

• heating cords or heat mats placed beneath the substrate

• more complex equipment generating or producing hot air to the inside

of the vivarium

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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.
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:

• regular water pulverization

• water evaporation inside (from a basin, or circulation of water)

• automated pulverization systems and humidifiers

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 unnecessary 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.

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products at low and discount price visit
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