Terrarium vs Vivarium vs Paludarium: What’s the Difference?

For most of my life, I called pretty much any enclosure for reptiles and amphibians a terrarium. But as an adult, I learned that technically wasn’t correct. There are so many different names for pet enclosures, all of which describe different setups. So, when it comes to a terrarium vs vivarium vs paludarium, what does each one mean?

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What is a Terrarium vs Vivarium vs Paludarium?

Terrarium, vivarium, and paludarium are all similar terms commonly used for animal enclosures. But what’s the precise definition for each one?

Terrarium Definition

Terrarium is the term for a glass container displaying plants. However, it’s currently more commonly used for a small glass enclosure holding both plants and animals. Even though terrarium is technically not the right term for a pet enclosure, it’s the one you’ll likely hear the most often for enclosures holding reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Terrariums usually only have terrestrial environments, not aquatic ones.

Vivarium Definition

Vivarium is a broad term describing an enclosure for plants and/or animals. Thus, vivarium is the technical term for a small pet enclosure. A terrarium is a type of vivarium. 

Even though vivarium makes more sense than terrarium for an exotic pet enclosure, terrarium is more widely-known, which is why it has become the more common of the two terms in that context. If you use either one when talking about a pet enclosure, people will likely understand what you’re talking about, so don’t worry too much about confusing the terms.

Paludarium Definition

If you’re a huge animal lover, you might also be familiar with the term paludarium. It’s a type of vivarium that has both terrestrial and aquatic elements. This means that while the animals living in the tank have land to climb on, there’s also water for them to swim in. Common examples of animals that need paludariums include certain species of turtles and frogs.

Other Pet Enclosure Types

Terrarium, vivarium, and paludarium are just three of the many terms used to describe animal enclosures. Below are a few other common ones.

Aquarium

An aquarium is an enclosure for fully aquatic animals. While aquariums are most commonly used for fish, they can also be used for other fully aquatic pets like shrimp and axolotls. Aquariums come in a wide range of sizes, and they're built to hold the weight of water.

Riparium

A riparium is very similar to a paludarium because it’s also an enclosure with both land and water. However, ripariums usually have a lot more water than land while paludariums have an equal amount of both or more land. Since water is a major part of ripariums, they often have unique elements like waterfalls.

Ripariums are great for fully aquatic animals or animals that are mostly aquatic but need to come to land on rare occasions. Like paludariums, they’re great for certain frogs and turtles. You could even use them for fish if you also want to have terrestrial plants in the tank.

Hutch

The term hutch usually describes a wooden enclosure with wire mesh on the front. Hutches are commonly used for small mammals like rabbits and ferrets. The ideal hutch should have lots of space for the animals to run around, but it’s also a good idea to give them some supervised time outside of their enclosure for added enrichment.

Pen

Pen is a broad term used to describe any animal enclosure with walls on all sides. While it’s most commonly used for large farm animals, it can also refer to small pens for guinea pigs and similar pets. Pens often give pets more space to run around, and they’re very breathable. That’s why they’re ideal for pets that are messy (as someone who fostered guinea pigs, I can confirm that they would stink in other enclosure types, even with a litter box).

Aviary

An aviary is an enclosure for birds. It usually describes a large walk-through enclosure like the ones at sanctuaries and zoos, but some people also use it to refer to indoor enclosures. These enclosures are very breathable to prevent them from getting overly smelly and dirty. If your pet bird only has a small enclosure, it’s important for you to let them fly outside of their enclosure daily to keep them content and entertained.

Buying a Terrarium, Vivarium, or Paludarium

Whenever you plan to get a new pet, it’s important to know exactly what type of enclosure they need. Do they need land, water, or both? Or is there a different type of enclosure besides a terrarium, vivarium, and paludarium that’s best for them? Most pet enclosures are available at pet supply stores and online retailers.

Best Terrariums

Since terrarium is technically the name for a small plant enclosure, these products are ideal for housing plant life but not animals. Here are some of the best terrariums to consider:

• D'Eco Glass Greenhouse Terrarium

• ELEGANTLIFE Glass Geometric Plant Terrarium

• XXXFLOWER Plant Terrarium with Wooden Stand

Best Vivariums

If you want to house animals with plants (or just animals), a vivarium is likely what you’re looking for. Specifically, vivariums are great for reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. They come in a wide range of sizes, so make sure you choose the ideal size for your pet. Here are some of the best vivariums:

• REPTI ZOO Tempered Glass Reptile Terrarium 30 Gallon

• OIIBO Vertical 30 Gallon Reptile Tank

• Zilla QuickBuild Reptile 65 Gallon Glass Terrarium

Best Paludariums

Not just any tank can be a paludarium. The enclosure needs to be strong enough to hold water, so oftentimes, aquariums can work as paludariums or ripariums. Here are some of the best paludariums:

• Ultum Nature Systems Rimless Paludarium

• Tetra Glass Aquarium 55 Gallons

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Terrariums Be Used for a Fish Tank?

No, it’s not a good idea to use a terrarium or vivarium as an aquarium. Those types of enclosures are meant for land animals while aquariums are meant to hold water. So, using a terrarium for fish could cause it to break because of the excess weight.

Are Terrarium Decorations Safe for Aquariums?

It depends on the decoration, but most terrarium decorations aren't meant for fish tanks. Quality aquarium decorations are made to be completely submerged while terrarium decorations might not be made with the same properties in mind. It’s safest to stick with products made specifically for your tank type.

Why is My Terrarium Foggy?

Too much moisture in an enclosure can cause it to fog up. Try removing moisture from the substrate and walls of the enclosure. Offering better ventilation can help too.

How Do You Pronounce Paludarium?

The most common pronunciation of paludarium is PAH-luh-DAY-ree-uhm. Although, since it’s not a popular word, some people might pronounce it differently.

Terrariums, Vivariums, and Paludariums are All Unique

Now that you know the differences between a terrarium vs vivarium vs paludarium, you can effectively choose the right one for your next pet. Adding an animal to your family is a big decision, so make sure you thoroughly do your research. It’s also a good idea to set up an enclosure before bringing a pet home to ensure you’re prepared (and to make the transition seamless for your new companion).