Reptile Vivariums

Reptile Vivariums for Lizards

Your pet lizard or other reptile will depend on you for the right care. This includes the proper housing for their lifestyle. Before you can even begin to search for reptile vivariums you have to understand the pet reptile you will be purchasing. For example if you obtain an arboreal reptile you need a taller vivarium than the one required for a desert or bottom dweller.

Most lizards are going to be arboreal species, though you do have some desert dwellers as well. For example Bearded and Komodo Dragons are found in the desert. They are also larger lizard reptiles, thus they stay on the ground. Smaller lizards like geckos and chameleons tend to climb tree branches, rocks, and other objects to sit up in the world. They feel more protected and hidden.

Furthermore heat is a requirement to keep your reptile at the right temperature. Desert lizards are used to warm temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures at night. The fluctuation of temperatures in a desert can be more extreme than a forest where the sun does not shine through the canopy. As such the proper insulation with the reptile vivariums is imperative.

Wood vivariums are one type of terrarium you can purchase. They come in a range of sizes up to 36 inches in height and 48 inches in width from most manufacturers. The taller reptile vivariums are better suited for your lizards, unless like mentioned they are the desert dwellers, who may appreciate more ground. Wood vivariums because they only have glass doors and a mesh top will offer more insulation. Wood as you probably know is an insulator. It’s one of the reasons we use it in our houses.

Glass can be a great way to go for reptile vivariums if heating is not a huge concern. If you feel you can find the right heater and do not mind the energy source it requires then glass can be great. Glass is not a great insulator, but it does offer a 360 degree view of your pet. Everyone in a room can see the lizard inside. They also come in a range of sizes that suit even the larger reptiles.

Included in the range of reptile vivariums are starter kits. The starter kits come with either a plastic or glass vivarium. If you purchase a vivarium starter kit from Exo Terra you can be assured it will be glass. The starter kit offers you just about everything you require for your pet lizard habitat. It will have a background, substrate, food and water dishes, hides or plants, and the terrarium light fitting. It will lack a bulb and a heater, but these are things you really need to purchase separately because each reptile is different in regards to their environment and heating requirements.

Plastic reptile vivariums are simple, durable, and less insulated. They make for a temporary habitat until you can afford to upgrade to wood or glass. They are also great for starting out when you have a baby lizard.