
TERRARIA AND AQUA-TERRARIA 

Heated Dry Terraria. Thesame arrangement as the above may 
be used, but heating appliances must be provided. For this purpose a 
second or false bottom should be constructed about 3 inches above the 
bottom of the terrarium on which the planting tray may rest. Wood is 
best for this false bottom as it is a better insulator and will allow of a more 
even distribution of the heat than metal surfaces. The space between the 
two bottoms may be arranged as a drawer lined with sheet iron for heated 
sand, or fitted with a flat zinc flask for hot water, the latter being prefer- 
able. The flask may also be permanently inserted, in which case an outer 
tube should be soldered into the planting tray through which the tube 
communicating with the flask may be brought above the surface of the 
soil in the tray, that the cooled water may be removed with a siphon and 
hot water introduced with a hose; or a tube let through the side closed 
with a pet-cock. This need be done but once or twice a day. The water 
basin for the inhabitants is usually arranged in one corner. 
Heatep Morst Terraria. These are similar to the heated dry 
terraria in construction, but contain a larger and deeper basin for the 
amphibious animals; and should be arranged to permit of control of the 
ventilation to maintain a heated moist atmosphere. The water basin is 
usually constructed to occupy one side or a corner and has one of its sides 
at an angle to permit of a shallow approach to the water. 
With all forms of terraria the main consideration must be the repro- 
duction, as nearly as possible, of the natural conditions and surroundings 
of the animals and of the plants, and the establishment of good and ample 
ventilation. 
PLANTING THE TeRRARIA. ‘The plantings should be directly into the 
trays and in flower pots. A lower drainage layer of large pebbles and a thin 
leveling layer of fine grit should be first put into the trays. For the Dry 
terraria these should be covered with rich garden soil, of which the lower 
layer has been mixed with fertilizer; and for the Moist terraria with clean 
lawn turf to which a little fertilizer has been added. Upon the pebble 
foundation a background or central mound of rocks may be constructed, 
to form caves and hollows in which the animals may secrete themselves, 
and pockets in which to set plants; or the rocks may be arranged to 
screen the receptacles of potted plants. In arrangement and planting the 
natural home of reptiles should be simulated and the Dry terraria arranged 
to resemble sunny, arid and rocky localities, and in the Moist terraria 
miniature woodland landscapes natural to amphibious animals. The 
former should also not have too considerable vegetation, with spots devoid 
of soil and covered with fine gravel and a few scattered stones, while the 
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