TERRARIA AND AQUA-TERRARIA 



Heated Dry Terraria. The same 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. 



Heated Moist 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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