Author: Farkas M. Vivien

More than 8,000 lizard species reveal just how many different ways there are to be a lizard – from tiny geckos to giant monitor lizards.

Whip scorpions live in dark, moist places such as under rotting logs, in caves and among leaf litter.

Gonyosoma oxycephalum lives in Southeast Asian tropical forests, mangrove swamps and riverside vegetation.

The tiger salamander hides in cool underground burrows to avoid heat and stay protected from predators.

In their natural habitat, discus fish find safe hiding places among roots, leaves and aquatic plants.

When threatened, tarantulas often hide or use irritating hairs to help keep enemies away.

Arthropods are the most species-rich group in the animal kingdom and occur in almost every terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitat. Moreover, their remarkable diversity reflects a wide range of adaptations in body structure, behavior, and lifestyle. As a result, arthropods can cope with very different environmental conditions. Accordingly, survival in a humid tropical rainforest, an arid desert, a montane habitat, or a riparian zone requires very different strategies. It is important to emphasize that describing a species’ natural habitat is not the same as providing a terrarium care guide. In captivity, the goal is not to recreate the entire habitat,…

Snake scales protect the body, support movement and help create the animal’s colors and patterns.

Armadillidium gestroi lives in moist, shaded places and helps break down dead plant matter.

A florarium is a miniature ecosystem under glass, creating a humid microclimate for the plants inside.