168 TERR ARIA 



The dry-temperate terrarium is naturally the simplest in construction, 

 the principal requirements being open ventilation and a small drinking 

 pool with cement edge and mirror bottom. This seems to be necessary 

 to some of the creatures, as they are accustomed to seeing the sky 

 reflected in water and without this they do not at first recognize it as 

 water. 



The moist-temperate form is only slightly ventilated and is supplied 

 with a larger water pool, as the animals are usually amphibians. It is 

 well to be able to drain this off without removal of water container. 



Tropical terraria, whether moist or dry, are heated artificially from 

 below, the heating device being concealed beneath a false bottom. The 

 heat may be applied either to a pan of sand or water or used in the 

 form of a miniature hot-water heating system as indicated in figure 

 55 for heating tropical aquaria. The pipes are not carried over the 

 top, but through or around the bottom. 



The forms of terraria are quite diverse, according to requirements 

 or fancy. Quite a number are divided into two halves, one side contain- 

 ing a shallow pool with tall bog plants, the other side being for terrestrial 

 plants, the two sometimes being connected by a sloping ladder over the 

 division, so that the animals may cross at will. The same arrangement 

 is further developed into the aqua-terrarium by having the moist side in 

 regular aquarium form and filling about two-thirds deep with water. 

 Where tree frogs or other climbing animals are kept there should be a 

 ladder or other arrangement to enable them to seek varying levels at 

 different times, as this desire seems to be an important part of their 

 nature. Tree frogs in some parts of the world are better known as 

 "weather frogs." They are kept where they may either remain in water 

 or climb to different levels at will, and are regarded as good barometers 

 to foretell approaching weather conditions. Undoubtedly the state of the 

 atmosphere has something to do with their movements in this respect. 



Terraria for moths and insects usually have three sides of screen 

 and one side of glass for clear observation. 



Aqua-terraria may be considered a higher development of terraria, 

 since their possibilities are so much enhanced on account of accommo- 

 dating both terrestrial and aquatic animals and plants. One of the most 

 interesting kinds is devoted to the observation of aquatic insects. These 

 only contain a few inches of water, in which are placed bog plants, so that 

 the leaves stand well out of water. Very few of the aquatic insects 

 spend their entire lives in the water and some such provision is needed 

 for them to climb out. It is important that stones or other creeping-out 

 places be provided for turtles, frogs, newts and other amphibians, for it 

 is cruelty to oblige them to remain constantly in the water. 



