Abstract

This invention is concerned with a vivarium habitat for turtles, frogs, snakes, and newts, comprising a self-contained fully enclosed transparent upper vivarium housing which contains both a centrally oriented separate aquarium area, and a contiguous dry terrestrial region. The habitat's upper housing is enclosed on all four sides with transparent side panels, and on the top with both a transparent cover panel and a light apparatus, which is thermostatically controlled, and which provides both the necessary illumination and heat for the plants and animals enclosed within the habitat. The transparent side walls are vertically mounted onto the base frame structure upper member. The foundation surface of the upper transparent housing section of the habitat consists of a molded, contoured surface that contains a central water area of gradually increasing depth, with a contiguous barrier perimeter area, the remaining surrounding surface area being dry land for plant and animal use. The water is drained easily for cleaning purposes from the deepest part of the contoured aquatic surface, by removing a drain plug accessible from the undersurface of the upper habitat housing. Cleaning of the aquatic surface area after water drainage is simplified, it being unnecessary to remove the amphibians for this purpose.