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Marsh Vivariums
Many herps inhabit the shore lines of lakes, ponds, and streams. Some spend a portion of each day in the water and the rest n their time on land. Still others are aquatic at certain times of the year, but terrestrial for the remainder of the time. For most of these types, the marsh-stream terrarium is suitable. It is probably the type of terrarium that is used more frequently than any other, for the baby turtles and caiman that are sold in such large numbers fins an ideal home in this type of cage. A terrarium of this type can be very simple in design. Starting with an aquarium which does not leak, we simply add a couple of inches of well-rinsed gravel and slope it at one end to form a land area. To reinforce the bank, we can add a row of small stones as a line of between water and shore. Water depth may be about two inches, and the dry area can rise another two inches above this. The whole set-up can be attractively lighted with an inexpensive aquarium reflector, which will also provide some heat. In a more elaborate form, the marsh-stream terrarium can be divided across the center, or diagonally, with a piece of wood of glass. The land area can be set up as in the woodland terrarium, but the plants chosen should be of kinds that can withstand a great deal of moisture. Bog plants are excellent for this purpose. The water area can have as its bottom a layer of gravel. The dividing wood or glass strip may be of any height desired, but the water level must be approximately equal, or the animals will not be able to go from one section to the other easily. An assist in this regard can be had by placing next to the shoreline a rock which slopes from the water to a level even with the bank of the land area. Such a rock will help to prevent the partition from shifting. In the connection, a diagonal dividing strip is better than one which goes from side to side, for it will be held in place by the corner angles of the aquarium. Still another variation of the marsh-stream terrarium can be made by using an island, surrounded by water. This can be simply done by arranging a group of stones in the middle of the aquarium, or at its end, fitted together so as to allow no crevices between them. Turtles and small crocodilian are unappreciative if plant life and tend to trample the foliage in their cage. A plain rock shoreline fots their needs very well and permits the terrarium to be more easily cleaned than would the case be with a more elaborate set-up.
Another way of setting up a marsh-stream terrarium involves the use of a plastic basin, glass bowl, or metal tray. This is planted to simulate a small island, then placed in the aquarium while the water level is raised to a point just below the edge. When cleaning becomes necessary, the island is simply lifted out.
In any of these arrangement, an under gravel filter may be used to help keep the water clear and lessen the frequency with which it must be changed. In the water section, a few plants will add to the naturalness of the picture. These are useful chiefly where salamanders and frogs are concerned, for many turtles can be expected to devour aquatic plants. Generally speaking, the marsh-stream terrarium does not lend itself well to a company of mixed herps. Turtles tend to bite and harass other animals, while frogs will devour any salamanders that they can cram into their mouths. The woodland terrarium is by far the best if one desires a "happy family" grouping of herps,and even in this type of cage all of the inmates should be of approximately the same bulk.