Terrariums come in various types, each designed to house specific types of plants and animals. Here are some common types of terrariums and what they typically house:
1. Open Terrarium
Open terrariums have an open top, allowing for more air circulation and less humidity. Suitable for plants, succulents, cacti, and other plants that thrive in dry environments.
Not typically used for animals due to the open top, but small, terrestrial animals like anoles or some types of geckos might be housed if the sides are high enough.
2. Closed Terrarium
Description: Closed terrariums have a lid or are completely sealed, creating a humid environment. Suitable for plants: Tropical plants like ferns, mosses, orchids, and air plants.
The Animals used are small amphibians like frogs, and some species of reptiles that require high humidity.
3. Aquarium
Aquariums are glass or acrylic tanks designed to hold water for aquatic life. The plants are aquatic such as Java moss, Anubias, and Amazon sword to name but a few. Fish, aquatic turtles, amphibians like newts and frogs, and invertebrates like shrimp and snails are used.
Aquariums can also be freshwater river fish or Marine, salt water Sea Fish.
4. Paludarium
A hybrid terrarium that combines terrestrial and aquatic environments. Both terrestrial and aquatic plants, such as ferns, bromeliads, and submerged aquatic plants can be incorporated
Animals to use could be semi-aquatic animals like turtles, newts, frogs, and some types of crabs and fish.
5. Vivarium
Vivarium a general term for an enclosure that houses plants and animals, often designed to replicate a specific ecosystem. Such as further classified into subtypes like forest vivarium’s, desert vivarium’s, etc.
Plants would depend on the type, could house tropical plants, desert plants, or temperate plants. This would all depend on the animals you choose to use, such as reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, chosen based on the specific ecosystem being replicated.
6. Desert Terrarium
Designed to mimic the arid environments with low humidity and high temperatures. Suitable for Plants: Cacti, succulents, and other drought-tolerant plants.
Animals would be desert-dwelling reptiles like bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and some species of snakes.
7. Rainforest Terrarium
This is a high humidity and dense planting to replicate a tropical rainforest. Plants may include Tropical plants such as ferns, bromeliads, orchids, and mosses. I can also include Animals such as Frogs, small tropical reptiles like anoles, and invertebrates like millipedes and tropical beetles.
8. Riparium
Riparium focuses on the interface between water and land, often incorporating both aquatic and semi-aquatic plants. Like marginal plants, papyrus, pothos, and aquatic plants.
Animals include semi-aquatic animals such as amphibians, small fish, and some reptiles.
9. Bioactive Terrarium
A self-sustaining ecosystem with live plants, microfauna (like springtails and isopods), and decomposers to break down waste. Plants are dependant on the environment being replicated, could include tropical plants, desert plants, or temperate plants.
Reptiles and amphibians, especially those that benefit from a naturalistic environment like geckos, frogs, and certain lizards.
10. Insectarium
Designed specifically for housing animals,
insects and other invertebrates. like mantises, beetles, ants, and butterflies.
Also suitable for arachnids like tarantulas and scorpions.
Each type of terrarium is designed to
replicate a specific habitat and meet the unique needs of the plants and
animals housed within. The choice of terrarium depends on the environmental
conditions required by the inhabitants, including humidity, temperature, and
light levels.
11. A fernery
Fernery or fernerium A collection of ferns in a terrarium is often referred to as a “fernery” or “fernerium.” These terms specifically describe a terrarium that is primarily dedicated to cultivating various species of ferns.
Although this is basically for ferns the Clean Up Crew are most essential to keep mold at bay dew to high humidity