Reptile Words
Reptile Terminology are commonly used words associated with the care of… Reptiles. Terminology helps to make conversing about certain Reptiles more precise and helps to shorten sentences.
Terrarium
Terrarium usually refers to any glass or mesh enclosure, such as an aquarium tank, that is used for housing reptiles or a reptile. Outside the reptile hobby it is a place to put plants.
Enclosure
An Enclosure is a specific place with walls that a reptile or reptiles are kept in.
A place where they are enclosed.
Vivarium Vs. Paludarium
A Vivarium is a place that a reptile is kept that is usually kept moist and most often has a living ecosystem.
A paludarium is an enclosure with. a body of water attached to land. It is usually used for Amphibians but a few reptiles, like turtles, may benefit from it. It may also have a living Ecosystem.
Naturalistic Vs. Bioactive
A Naturalistic enclosure is when a dirt mix is used as the main substrate. Plants can also be added.
If isopods and springtails are added, then the name gets upgraded to Bioactive.
Heat
Ambient: The temperature of the room the animal is in.
Lights or Lamps: A heat light produces heat and is used with most reptiles. It is mostly used to create a basking spot for the reptile.
Ceramic Emitters: A way to provide heat like a light but without adding light.
Mats or Pads: Heat mats go under the enclosure. some reptile require them in order to properly digest their food.
Heat Methods
Under tank: A Heat Mat or Pad. Both usually have a sticky side that is pressed against the bottom of a tank.
Overhead: A Heat light or Heat Emitter. Special Hoods need to be purchased due to the risk of anything else melting from the heat. The light can be set on a heat proof tank topper or hung from a hanger.
Ambient: If the room is kept at 70°F then the enclosure will be that if no other heating elements are being used.
Ultra Violet Lighting
UVB: This spectrum of light help the animal synthesis and absorb vitamin D3. Some crepuscular or Nocturnal reptiles may not need it as properly supplemented foods may provide all the D3 they need.
UVA: Helps to regulate behavioral things such as sleep patterns, breeding behaviors, and can encourage the Feeding Response.
UVC: While UVC can help reduce the bacteria in the enclosure it is harmful if it is used too much.
Full Spectrum: All the wavelengths of the sun in one light bulb.
Hides
A Hide is an object placed in the reptile’s enclosure that they can hide within. This object is dark inside and helps the animal feel safe.
Hides refers to multiple hiding objects.
Clutter
Clutter refers to objects that while traversing the enclosure, the reptile can feel somewhat hidden and not out in the open. It also provides enrichment. It is not the same thing as a hide. Clutter can be leaves, vine, rocks, logs, sticks, etc. Basically anything that creates a place to walk under or lay in that isn’t cave like.
Enrichment
Enrichment refers to objects or toys that engage the animal’s brain in some way shape or form. This can be as simple as rearranging the enclosure, or adding new things. Enrichment can be new textures or even new foods. Whatever the enrichment is, it is meant to keep the animal from becoming bored and depressed.
Substrate
Substrate is the stuff under the reptiles’ feet. It can be anything that the reptile walks on the is loose or changeable.
Daylight Cycles
Diurnal: Awake during the day. Sleeps at night.
Crepuscular: Awake during the morning and evening. Asleep during the middle of the day and middle of the night.
Nocturnal: Awake at night. Sleeps in the day.
Basking
Basking is where a reptile sets in the sun in the highest place it can find. They bask to get their daily dose of UVs. They also do this to get warm, usually in the morning.
Brumation
Brumation is a type of hibernation. In captivity it is usually used for preparing reptile for breeding in the spring. more?
Meat, Veggie, or Bugs?
Carnivore: Eats exclusively meat, bone, fat, and organs.
Herbivore: Eats exclusively plants.
Insectivore: Eats exclusively bugs.
Omnivore: May eat any of the above in one meal.
Gut Loading
Gut Loading refers to feeding Insects 24 to 48 hours before feeding it to a reptile for optimal nutrition.
Supplements
Enrichment refers to objects or toys that engage the animal’s brain in some way shape or form. This can be as simple as rearranging the enclosure, or adding new things. Enrichment can be new textures or even new foods. Whatever the enrichment is, it is meant to keep the animal from becoming bored and depressed.
Morph
Enrichment refers to objects or toys that engage the animal’s brain in some way shape or form. This can be as simple as rearranging the enclosure, or adding new things. Enrichment can be new textures or even new foods. Whatever the enrichment is, it is meant to keep the animal from becoming bored and depressed.
Dimorphism
Enrichment refers to objects or toys that engage the animal’s brain in some way shape or form. This can be as simple as rearranging the enclosure, or adding new things. Enrichment can be new textures or even new foods. Whatever the enrichment is, it is meant to keep the animal from becoming bored and depressed.
Shedding
Enrichment refers to objects or toys that engage the animal’s brain in some way shape or form. This can be as simple as rearranging the enclosure, or adding new things. Enrichment can be new textures or even new foods. Whatever the enrichment is, it is meant to keep the animal from becoming bored and depressed.
Scales
Enrichment refers to objects or toys that engage the animal’s brain in some way shape or form. This can be as simple as rearranging the enclosure, or adding new things. Enrichment can be new textures or even new foods. Whatever the enrichment is, it is meant to keep the animal from becoming bored and depressed.
Scutes
Enrichment refers to objects or toys that engage the animal’s brain in some way shape or form. This can be as simple as rearranging the enclosure, or adding new things. Enrichment can be new textures or even new foods. Whatever the enrichment is, it is meant to keep the animal from becoming bored and depressed.
Skin
Enrichment refers to objects or toys that engage the animal’s brain in some way shape or form. This can be as simple as rearranging the enclosure, or adding new things. Enrichment can be new textures or even new foods. Whatever the enrichment is, it is meant to keep the animal from becoming bored and depressed.
