Differences Between Terrarium, Vivarium, and Other "Ariums" Clarified
In the world of container gardening and animal husbandry, a variety of unique habitats cater to diverse plant and animal species. Among the most popular are terrariums, vivariums, and their relatives. Each offers a distinct environment tailored to the needs of specific flora and fauna.
A terrarium, primarily designed to grow plants in a controlled, often soil-based environment, is a closed or semi-closed container that replicates a terrestrial plant habitat. Unlike aquariums, it does not include free-standing water, focusing on maintaining humidity.
On the other hand, vivariums are a broader category of enclosed areas that house live plants and animals under simulated natural conditions. They can accommodate both terrestrial and aquatic organisms, making them more complex ecosystems. Vivariums emphasise animal husbandry as well as plant cultivation.
Paludariums and ripariums are specialized types of vivariums that combine terrestrial and aquatic elements. Paludariums, with a larger land area than water (like a pond or stream), support both land and water plants and animals. Ripariums, with a stronger aquatic emphasis and a smaller terrestrial area, create an environment like a riverbank.
Insectariums and formicariums, meanwhile, are habitats built to raise all manner of insects and ants, respectively. Bromeliads, a type of plant that thrive in vivariums due to the better ventilation provided, are often found in these environments.
It is essential to note that following a shopping list or tutorial for the wrong container (terrarium or vivarium) can lead to failure in maintaining the intended environment. The conditions required for the inhabitants of terrariums and vivariums differ significantly, including humidity, watering frequency, and light levels.
Moreover, the term "vivarium" is often used interchangeably with terrariums, but it has a different meaning. The suffix "arium" in both terms means "container," while "terra" means "earth" and "vivere" means "to live." The priority of a terrarium is to create an environment where plants thrive, whereas the priority in vivariums is the pets, and the plants play a secondary role.
The naming process doesn't stop with terrariums and vivariums; there are other "ariums" like mossariums (dedicated entirely to growing moss), aquariums (fully aquatic environments used to raise all manner of fish and crustaceans), oceanariums (large aquariums), penguinariums, and dolphinariums.
While terrariums replicate natural environmental processes, vivariums employ artificial aspects such as pumps, filters, and external light sources to simulate the conditions required by their inhabitants. It is crucial to understand these differences to ensure the well-being of the plants and animals within these fascinating containers.
A home-and-garden enthusiast interested in expanding their lifestyle to include unique habitats might consider exploring paludariums, ripariums, insectariums, or formicariums – each offering a distinct environment suitable for a variety of land and water plants, as well as specific animals. Maintaining these more complex ecosystems requires a careful balance of humidity, watering frequency, and light levels, highlighting the importance of understanding the differences between terrariums and vivariums, despite their shared "arium" root.
