What are the terrariums for eublefares and how to arrange them?
Pets give their love and cheer up, and this is not only about the dogs and cats we are used to. Today, pets can be exotic, for example, eublefars. If you want to get a gecko, you will need to learn all about the conditions in which it will feel comfortable. We bring to your attention a detailed overview of the terrarium for a reptile, its advantages, varieties and DIY arrangement. If you follow all the guidelines below, your pet will be happy.
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If you have been thinking about which terrarium to choose for the future eublefar for a long time, first it is important to know that there are several of them. The main task of the reservoir is so that the pet can live in as close to natural conditions as possible, where it will be comfortable. This requires special equipment. The choice of a terrarium must be carried out according to certain criteria.
The main task is to create the most comfortable conditions that resemble the climatic zone; aesthetic appeal is also important. As far as practicality is concerned, it is about service accessibility.
On the market you can find tanks made of different materials, each of which has its own characteristics and advantages.
Glass
Such a terrarium will help to implement the idea of creating a corner of wildlife. This option is notable for its aesthetics, therefore it will become not only a home for a lizard, but also an adornment of a modern interior. Thanks to the glass, it will be much easier to observe the gecko, you can even take pictures of your pet.As for the shortcomings, the material is quite fragile, and the structure itself is heavy, but if you are careful and do not carry the tank often, the container will serve for many years.
A cover with a metal mesh is installed on top of the glass terrarium, this will prevent the "escape" of the lizard, as well as open access to atmospheric air. At the back, manufacturers design the terrarium so that the equipment wires can be easily placed. All power cords will be hidden behind a plastic stand. It's worth noting that some brands offer tanks with a pre-installed background.
The advantage is that you can find models with pedestals, this increases the stability of the product and facilitates the process of caring for the pet.
Plastic
Plastic is lightweight and durable, and it is also a budget option. This material allows you to create a structure in such a way that you can install flow ventilation if the manufacturer did not provide for its presence. The only drawback is the turbidity of the plastic, therefore watching an animal is not so convenient... You can find transparent polymer terrariums, but they are more fragile and thin, often distort the picture and are short-lived.
Experts recommend paying attention to durable plastic without a toxic odor; it is better to choose tanks with handles and a reliable lid. If the eublefar is still small, you can start with a small terrarium, and then use it as a carrier.
Dimensions (edit)
The height and width of the terrarium play an important role, in addition, it must be borne in mind that the gecko is a species of large lizard, so they need space. If you have an adult eublefar or two of them, first you need to choose the parameters of their future home. For one individual, 40x40x30 cm (length, width, height) will be enough, for two - 60x40x40 cm, and for a family you will need something more - 90x45x40 cm.
Panoramic tanks have excellent visibility, it is convenient to place all equipment in them.
How to equip?
The design of the terrarium for one gecko is the same as for two, the main thing is its content. The arrangement does not take much time, but it is necessary to work through everything in stages to create ideal conditions for the lizards.
Temperature
Since geese are semi-desert animals, they love warmth, so temperature is one of the main criteria for a quality arrangement. For this, a heating element is intended in the form of a thermal mat with a capacity of no more than 7 watts, which is placed on the bottom of the tank. This area takes up a third of the floor area of the structure. Some people use a shoe dryer, which is a budget option.
It is important to remember that lizards are very sensitive to temperature, there should be several different zones in the terrarium: the cool part is not higher than 28 degrees Celsius, the warmer part is 30-32 degrees.
Increased humidity is also important, therefore, to create an appropriate environment, you will need a container in which there will always be moist soil, this is required for soaking during molting and laying eggs, if we are talking about a female. You can make such a camera yourself from a small plastic box. The substrate can be perlite, moss or vermiculite. The filler is pre-soaked in water, then squeezed out and distributed 2 cm thick along the bottom. Twice a week it is necessary to spray it with water, if the material has deteriorated, replace it with fresh one.
Ventilation
Air exchange is just as important as maintaining the optimum temperature in the terrarium. Experts recommend using a flow-through type, so fresh air will enter and diagonally exit through another hole, thereby creating gas exchange. The ventilation outlet should be twice the size of the inlet, and they should not be located in the same line. Use durable material to protect the hood.
If a group of geckos lives in a tank, a powerful ventilation system will be needed to regulate the humidity in the tank.
Priming
Natural soil will make your home more natural and natural, which is important. The bottom of the terrarium is formed by loose soil without chemical impurities that could poison the pet.
Experts recommend flat and coarse pebbles, vermiculite, bentonite clay and artificial grass mat. It is forbidden to use sand, as lizards can eat it in artificial conditions, which is undesirable.
Lighting
Leopards are notable for the fact that they lead an active lifestyle in the dark, so lighting does not play a big role for them. The lamp can be installed as a decoration, moreover, it will be more convenient to observe your pets at any time. For such purposes, fluorescent and LED devices with soft light are used.
Lizards do not need ultraviolet radiation, and for some species it is completely dangerous. If the gecko has rickets, then such a device will be needed, but only with the recommendation of a veterinarian. UV lamps are capable of stimulating reproduction.
Red-eyed morphs have hypersensitive eyes, so it is better to refuse bright light.
Shelter
Arrangement of a tank for a pet involves the design of a place where he could hide. When looking for a decor, you need to pay attention to multifunctional elements that will serve as a good shelter and at the same time decorate your home. For these cases, clay pots, amphorae, wide grottoes, coconut shells or ceramic installations are suitable.
Such a kind of house can even be made on your own, eublefars like to hide during the day, so they will like a cozy place. It is better to install the house in a warmer area.
Drinker and bowl
The pet must have constant access to feeding and clean water. The food should contain calcium with vitamin D3, and water can be poured into a shallow but wide vessel, besides, lizards do not drink often, but they like to climb into a container for cooling, so replacement should be regular.
Background
If you have a plastic container, it is best not to install a background as it takes up space, but it depends on the parameters of the terrarium. If the structure is large, the installation can be done, because it plays not only an aesthetic, but also a practical role. Lizards like to climb on different surfaces, they are dexterous with it. Such decorations can be purchased in specialized stores, or if you want to do it yourself, if you want to get creative. To make the background, you will need polystyrene, to which everything else will be attached, ceiling panels or thin polystyrene foam. These materials can be cut and glued.
First you need to make a frame, then form shelves, various crevices and boulders. Use oak bark, pebbles, and various shells to decorate the surface. The background can be covered with acrylic paint, after which a layer of special varnish can be applied that can withstand high humidity and high temperatures. The product should dry well, after which it can be fixed inside the terrarium so that it can be replaced or repaired if necessary.
As you can see, it is not difficult to arrange a reservoir for living a eublefar with your own hands, if you think over everything carefully and stock up on the necessary equipment.
You need to choose a terrarium for a pet according to the following criteria - the number and age of the lizard, the material of the product, the ability to install additional equipment and arrange optimal living conditions. Such geckos are in great demand, they do not require special care, it is enough just to arrange a home and choose the right food.