Vivariums

Why Choose a Wooden Vivarium?

When it comes to making the decision of which type of home to choose for your new reptile, it's important to know all the facts and the reasons why a wooden vivarium would be suitable for your pet. We've listed some of the great features of wooden vivariums, and explain why or why not a vivarium would be the best choice for you. If you're still undecided after reading this, then please don't hesitate to e-mail us with any queries!

• Temperature Control

One of the great benefits of wooden vivariums over glass terrariums is the ability to control temperature much more efficiently. Glass terrariums trap heat in from the surroundings and this makes it difficult to regulate temperature and air flow. Wooden vivariums however are great insulators of heat, keeping in heat from heat lamps and heat mats whilst reducing the amount of effect the outside temperature has on the inside temperature in the vivarium. This makes them ideal for species that depend on a constant temperature such as Bearded Dragons. The fact that they keep the heat in much more effectively means that they are also less expensive to run than glass terrariums.

• Cost

Another thing to consider is cost. Wooden vivariums tend to be considerably cheaper than their glass counterparts. This means that you can purchase a larger home for your pet for a cheaper price, providing them with more space and useable living area.

• Customization 

Wooden vivariums are also much more customizable than glass terrariums. With many glass terrariums, you will often need to purchase special equipment to allow you to attach items such as heat lamps and UV bulbs, which can add to the initial set up cost. Wooden vivariums however can easily be modified and it is very simple to drill holes and fit simple bulb holders and guards, and to install extra features such as water fountains.

• Durable

If you have children or other pets, then a wooden vivarium would more than likely be the safer option. Glass terrariums can be fragile, and with young kids or excitable dogs they can easily be accidently cracked or smashed, which leaves your reptile homeless, and can be costly to replace. Vivariums made from wood are much more robust, and able to put up with the occasional bump or bang, and are much less prone to cracking, chipping or shattering. 

So Which Species Do Vivariums Make Great Homes For?

Depending on which species of reptile you are interested in keeping will affect your decision of choosing a vivarium as their home. Certain species are perfectly happy to be kept in vivariums, but they may not be suitable housing for all pet reptiles. It's important to do a little reading into the species you're looking at keeping to ensure that a vivarium would make the best home. 

Vivariums for Bearded Dragons

Bearded Dragons as pets can be happily kept in a vivarium throughout their life. However, one very important thing to consider is the size of the vivarium required. A full sized adult Bearded Dragon should have a minimum 4ft vivarium to provide them with enough space to move around comfortably. 3ft vivariums can be suitable for juvenile Beardies, but you should consider that there will be a need to upgrade to a larger home as they grow, so it's usually more cost effective to purchase a 4ft vivarium when you buy your new pet.

Vivariums also make suitable homes for Bearded Dragons as they allow you to create a high temperature enclosure whilst still providing excellent ventilation. As wood is a great insulator of heat, it is easy to create a healthy temperature gradient in a vivarium, as not as much heat will escape as it would with a glass terrarium. At the same time, vents in a vivarium allow a steady airflow which help to maintain the correct humidity and temperature, which is vital for your Bearded Dragon's health. 

Please click here to see Bearded Dragon Vivariums

Vivariums for Leopard Geckos

Terrestrial vivariums are ideal for Leopard Geckos as they require a large amount of floor space to move around and explore. If you're considering keeping a single Gecko, then a 2ft vivarium is perfect. For larger groups then opt for a 3ft vivarium, as this allows your reptiles to have their own personal space and places to relax.

One major benefit of keeping Leopard Geckos in a vivarium is that it is much easier to heat. Unlike other species such as Bearded Dragons, Leopard Geckos obtain heat from the environment via their bellies, so they need a under substrate heat source such as a heat mat. Heat mats can be safely installed inside a wooden vivarium, which means your pet benefits quickly from the heat they give off, whereas in a glass vivarium the heat mat must be placed outside and away from the glass so much less heat is transferred into the enclosure. 

Please click here to see Leopard Gecko Vivariums

Vivariums for Snakes

The majority of pet species of snakes can be happily kept in a vivarium, and these are generally seen as the best type of housing for snakes. When choosing the size of vivarium, it's important to know what size your particular species is likely to grow. Generally, the vivarium should allow a full grown to snake to comfortably curl up and move around, but avoid choosing one in that the snake can fully stretch out as large spaces can actually make your snake uncomfortable.

Depending on the species of snake, some are great climbers so an arboreal vivarium might be a better choice. Arboreal vivariums provide more vertical space than floor space and are great for adding branches and artificial plants in which your snake can wrap around. It's a well known fact that snakes are very good escape artists, so if you opt for a vivarium with sliding doors then you do need to consider a vivarium lock to prevent your snake from being able to get out. 

Please click here to see Snake Vivariums

Vivariums for Tortoises

Although vivariums can be used to house tortoises, if you are choosing an indoor enclosure a tortoise table is a much more suitable option. To keep your tortoise in top condition they require a lot of ventilation, and an open top tortoise table is ideal. It also provides them with much more floor space as tortoises do enjoy wandering about, and as a vivarium is long rather than deep it simply cannot offer as much floor space.

Please click here to see Tortoise Tables