Setting up a “desert” terrarium
Materials
10 gallon aquarium with a lighted hood cover or a screen
pottery bowl or glass ashtray
potting soil
vermiculite
peat moss
sand
box for shade and hiding
rocks for decoration
plants; cacti and succulents
gravel
Procedure
1.
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Spread a 1 inch layer of gravel over the aquarium floor, if desert lizards will be introduced do not use charcoal layer.
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2.
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Mix the soil in the following proportions; potting soil-1, sand-3, vermiculite-1, peat moss-1. Spread a 2 inch layer of this soil mix over the gravel base sloping it uphill toward the back of the aquarium. Decorate with rocks and small branches.
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3.
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Set the water dish firmly into the soil, but be sure it can be easily removed for cleaning.
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4.
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Select a variety of cacti and succulents from a nursery or florist to place in the terrarium.
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5.
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The type of animals available to inhabit a desert terrarium varies from pet store to pet store. They are sometimes quite expensive. Ask the pet store owner for suggestions and complete care instructions. They are usually very happy to help, and usually will be more concerned with a good match of owner and pet than just a sale.
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6.
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Many desert animals like to bask for a few hours in very warm (95°F) temperatures. This can be provided by a lamp with a reflector, but there must always be a place for the animal to get out of the light if it wishes. Very warm conditions are necessary for desert reptiles to digest their food properly. A cold lizard will starve to death slowly even though food is provided. Before buying an animal for classroom use be sure you buy a book about that animal!
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Extension activity
Get the children to really look at the special adaptations of desert plants by having them model the various kinds of cacti and succulents out of clay and toothpicks. Be sure they include the roots. The finished products could be displayed in a shoebox diorama created by small groups or the whole class.