Building Reptile Terrariums For Kids (Part 1)

Building Reptile Terrariums For Kids
By Ryan Weaver

So you've finally talked your Mom and Dad or your Teacher into getting you a pet for your home or classroom, and you're thinking of something a little different. How about a reptile? They don't take up much space, are fun to watch and you will have fun building them a fascinating terrarium environment as well.

If you want to put together your own Reptile Terrarium there are some things to think about..

* Most reptiles need a place to bask. Many reptiles are active during the daytime and love to sit under a light, so you'll need to provide one of these for your Reptile Terrarium. Being cold-blooded, reptiles need some heat to get their blood moving and to help them digest. A reptile basking lamp of the appropriate wattage should be placed in the center or off to one side of the terrarium so you can see your pet reptile easier (not hidden in the background). An interesting place for your reptile to sit and bask under the lamp would perhaps be an unusual piece of driftwood, a bamboo root, a jungle vine or even a twisted tambora wood root.
* Reptiles need a place to hide. Like you, your pet will probably want some time to be alone and a couple of hiding places should be provided in their home. Think about having some pieces of wood or vines in their home with holes or spaces behind them for your pet to snooze in. Pet reptiles love to explore all the nooks and crannies you have put in their cages, so have fun designing a really nice terrarium.
* Reptiles need a place to watch the world from. Your reptile will love having a place to run up and look down on the rest of his home from. Think about placing something inside the area which is fairly high but can easily be scampered up. A real jungle vine put into the terrarium at an angle will also give your pet reptile the opportunity to get a little closer to the light and warm up on chilly days.
* Create a terrarium that looks natural. Reptiles are not your traditional domesticated pets, and many of them come from the wild. So it makes sense to provide a home for them that looks like one they would have lived in, if they were living in the wild. Decorating your reptile terrarium with natural products is not only fun, but helps to make your reptile pet feel more secure and enjoy his new home. Try mixing together a variety of stone, jungle vines and root hiding places and more to create an unusual and lifelike environment for your reptile pet.