Vivarium

A vivarium (Latin, literally for 'place of life'; plural: vivaria or vivariums) is an area, usually enclosed, for keeping and raising animals or plants for observation or research. Often, a portion of the ecosystem for a particular species is simulated on a smaller scale, with controls for environmental conditions.Butterfly vivarium or Insect home, Henry Noel, ca. 1858.Two large glass terrariums with plantsTaxicab or sun beetles in an insectarium.Vivarium with epoxy-coated plywood walls.Binturong (Arctictis binturong) in vivarium Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany. A vivarium (Latin, literally for 'place of life'; plural: vivaria or vivariums) is an area, usually enclosed, for keeping and raising animals or plants for observation or research. Often, a portion of the ecosystem for a particular species is simulated on a smaller scale, with controls for environmental conditions. A vivarium may be small enough to sit on a desk or table, such as a terrarium or an aquarium, or may be a very large structure, possibly outdoors. Large vivaria, particularly those holding organisms capable of flight, typically include some sort of a dual-door mechanism such as a sally port for entry and exit, so that the outer door can be closed to prevent escape before the inner door is opened.