How Does a Terrarium Mimic a Natural Environment?
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Mimicking The Earth
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A natural environment is one that has a functioning ecosystem that contains plant life, animal life interacting and supporting one another. A terrarium is basically a man-made natural environment that you can create within your home. There are several ways a terrarium mimics a natural environment. This article will explain how a terrarium does that with air, water, light and temperature.
Air
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When creating a terrarium, there are several natural environments you can create such a tropical rain forest, desert, or wetlands. All of these environments need air too, for not only plant life but also to support any animal life within your terrarium. Air is the easiest part of the natural environment to mimic, since the air within your home will support any animals inside your terrarium.
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Water
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Water is an essential part of the terrarium, just as it is an essential part of the natural environment we live in. Water must be supplied to your terrarium to support any and animal life you have added. You can do this by inserting a small bowl or flat container if you will have animals in your terrarium. For one that involves plants, be sure to consistently add water with a misting spray bottle, ensuring the soil is moist.
Light
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Light is another important element needed to support the natural environment within your terrarium. It is important depending on the type of terrarium you create that it is supplied with the proper amount of light to support plant life and growth. For instance, in a tropical rain forest, the plants use the sunlight to carry out the photosynthesis process to supply the plant with the energy it needs to promote growth. But the amount of light must be limited; you can't shine ultraviolet rays for 24 hours. However, a desert-type of terrarium would require more direct light for longer hours. If your terrarium is located within an area that does not receive proper amounts of light, an artificial light source such as grow lights may need to be supplied to the plant life within your terrarium.
Temperature
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Temperature is the last element within your terrarium that will be a factor if your natural environment you have created will thrive. Depending on the environment of your terrarium, the temperature is another important part that must be monitored or modified to support any animal and plant life. For instance, let's say you have a desert terrarium with geckos or lizards. The temperature of the terrarium will need to mimic that of a desert with areas that are warm and cool. You will need to supply your animal life with a heat source such as a thermometer or a heat rock and possibly a fan to cool the air at night.
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