Beaphar

accommodation

Terrarium animals’ accommodation is very important and should be taken care of before buying your animal. This might sound obvious, but practice shows this is not always the case. Sometimes, animals may be the victim of these type of “impulse” purchases, which should always be discouraged.

Space requirements of adult animals of the type you have chosen will dictate the size of terrarium required. It would not be the first time a terrarium proves to be far too small for its rapidly growing occupant(s) within the first year.

Combining different species of terrarium animals in a single terrarium is seldom possible. Seek advice from experts. Combining the wrong species will, in a best case scenario, lead to stress (as will overpopulation). In the worst case, the animals would bite each other and suffer injuries, or one species may devour the other.

There should be plenty of places for the animals to seek refuge in the terrarium. Each animal should be able to warm itself without stress (multiple light sources/spot lights) or cool down somewhere.

Purchasing and quarantining
After buying the terrarium you will be ready to purchase an animal for it. If you already own several terrarium animals, it is wise to maintain a 6-8 week quarantine period. The animals should (preferably) be accommodated in a very simple terrarium that is easy to clean. Of course, this terrarium should meet all of the requirements your new animal has regarding temperature and humidity. Observe your animal’s behaviour during quarantine. Mind its eating pattern: is it refusing to eat, or does it eat plenty of food, yet still loses weight? The consistency of faecal matter is also important. Should you notice any problems, do not wait too long to contact your veterinarian for expert advice or treatment.
You should check your new animal for external parasites (ectoparasites) and diseases. Always check your animal’s skin and the terrarium environment for ectoparasites. Always take action if you encounter these pests. There are several different products available at your veterinarian’s or local pet store: ask them for advice.