Substrate (vivarium)
Encyclopedia
The substrate of a vivarium
refers to the material used on the floor of the enclosure. It can affect humidity
levels, filtration as well as the well being of the inhabitants. The appropriate substrate depends on the type of animal in the enclosure.
Some types of substrate can be used to hold humidity, this is essential when keeping certain types of rainforest
dwelling species that require high humidity levels during shedding and food digestion. The substrate may also be used as a drainage system for excess water.
Substrate is also useful for burrowing species as they can dig into the substrate as they would in their natural habitat. It is also useful for egg laying species that would naturally bury their eggs in the earth floor.
The substrate also adds to the natural feel of the enclosure and gives the vivarium a more natural feel and look.
Some keepers may choose to use less aesthetic substrates such as paper towels, newspaper
or even tiles and linoleum
, especially for newly acquired or quarantined specimens. This is easier for the keeper to keep maintained and there is less risk of the substrate being consumed by the inhabitants.
Vivarium
A vivarium is a usually enclosed area for keeping and raising animals or plants for observation or research...
refers to the material used on the floor of the enclosure. It can affect humidity
Humidity
Humidity is a term for the amount of water vapor in the air, and can refer to any one of several measurements of humidity. Formally, humid air is not "moist air" but a mixture of water vapor and other constituents of air, and humidity is defined in terms of the water content of this mixture,...
levels, filtration as well as the well being of the inhabitants. The appropriate substrate depends on the type of animal in the enclosure.
Functions and Considerations
Substrate is used in all types of vivarium and holds an important role in the well being of the inhabitants. Although having an aesthetic factor, the substrate is an extremely important factor when keeping animals in a vivarium.Some types of substrate can be used to hold humidity, this is essential when keeping certain types of rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
dwelling species that require high humidity levels during shedding and food digestion. The substrate may also be used as a drainage system for excess water.
Substrate is also useful for burrowing species as they can dig into the substrate as they would in their natural habitat. It is also useful for egg laying species that would naturally bury their eggs in the earth floor.
The substrate also adds to the natural feel of the enclosure and gives the vivarium a more natural feel and look.
Types of substrate
The type of substrate used depends on the natural habitat of the species kept, for instance a desert dwelling species should be kept on a slate tile substrate, whereas a rainforest dwelling species should be kept on soil or bark chips.Some keepers may choose to use less aesthetic substrates such as paper towels, newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
or even tiles and linoleum
Linoleum
Linoleum is a floor covering made from renewable materials such as solidified linseed oil , pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, most commonly on a burlap or canvas backing; pigments are often added to the materials.The finest linoleum floors,...
, especially for newly acquired or quarantined specimens. This is easier for the keeper to keep maintained and there is less risk of the substrate being consumed by the inhabitants.