Living Enclosures for Small Pets
Even the smallest animal uses up a lot of space in the wild so if we are going to force a restriction of space onto another being, the least we can do is create an environment that's mentally and physically stimulating to prevent boredom as well as to keep your beloved pet happy and healthy. The issue most pet parents have is a lack of proper information in caring for the animal. It's so important to do plenty of research before picking any species as a pet. Knowing the common behaviors at a variety of life stages is important so you can understand what you're getting yourself into. Animals are a life long commitment and will rely on you for everything they need. Do research on these animals behavior in the wild, their habitat, their diet, and more importantly things that could harm them in food, bedding, substrate, plants, toys, toxic materials, enclosure types, etc. that way you can get an idea of how much you will need to invest in the pet before actually adopting a new friend. In most cases it's good to have everything you need ready and set up especially when you are working with living, bioactive enclosures, which generally need one month to settle before adding your new pet.
Bioactive enclosures may seem like a lot of work but they actually make housekeeping for your pet a much simpler process by creating a tiny ecosystem for them to thrive in. Living plants and beneficial insects (don't cringe yet, hang in there!) are what make the enclosure alive. Springtails and isopods are used to help maintain the health of the soil and with waste management. The living plants provide places for the animal to hide, potential fresh food (one of the reasons doing research on the fauna that is non-toxic to your animal is important), fresh oxygen, and a wonderfully natural aesthetic.
The upkeep of a bioactive enclosure depends on the animal and plant type you choose. If you are dealing with a desert reptile, obviously you won't want to add a fern to the enclosure as it would either die from lack of moisture, or your animal can suffer from too much moisture in your attempt to care for the plant. In most cases for bioactive enclosures, spot cleans are all that's necessary, the organisms and fauna that are living within will take care of the rest! If you don't think the bioactive route is right for you, there are still so many things that Heather can do to spruce up your pets home. Providing a variety of safe substrates for textures, foraging areas so the animal can search for its snacks, and overall, creating more natural looking and feeling environment for your pet.