Terrariums

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The terraria or Terrarienkunde is the subject that is in the planning, organization, the operation of a terrarium and maintenance of the living being held therein (for example, lizards , snakes , frogs and / or insects or other invertebrate concerned). People who take care of a terrarium call themselves terrarium keepers . Terrarium keepers deal with a wide variety of cultural disciplines in order to optimally care for their pets: technology , geography , climate , animal science , communication . The necessary expertise in terraristics can be acquired at recognized training centers.

Among other things, there are also trade fairs and exchanges in this area, such as B. the Terraristika Hamm, the world's largest exchange for terrarium animals or the Exotica terrarium exchange in Austria or the Terra-Ruhr in Germany, companies, associations and collection stations.

History of terraristics

18th century

Rösel von Rosenhof (1705–1759) was one of the forefathers in the targeted keeping of amphibians and reptiles. He kept frogs with him for a while to study their behavior and to be able to draw them for his book “Historia naturalis ranarum nostratium” (The natural history of the local frogs). Another great terrarium owner was Johann Matthaeus Bechstein (1759–1822). He also mentions terraristics for the first time in his writings. Due to the flourishing shipping industry, the first living reptiles came to German-speaking countries around 1800.

19th century

During this time, the first traders began to set up their business and sell reptiles to interested parties. The popularity of terraristics sparked further when Emil Adolf Rossmässler published an article "The lake in the glass" in the family magazine "Die Gartenlaube". At almost the same time in 1869, the "Berlin Zoo Aquarium" opened, in which reptiles and amphibians were shown.

In 1884 Johann von Fischer, director of the Düsseldorf zoo, published the first pure terraristic book. During this time, terrarium keepers also began to network. The first associations were founded, the first exhibition took place in 1890 and the first purely vivaristic magazine "Blätter für Aquarien- und Terrarium-Freunde" was published.

However, the correct attitude of reptiles and amphibians failed due to the lack of technology to create an optimal climate until 1900. Otto Tofohr developed the so-called "Tofohr oven". A heating system that works with an open flame, which can properly heat the terrariums.

20th century

During this time not only more magazines appeared, but also a new association was founded. On April 1, 1918, at the suggestion of the newt researcher Willy Wolterstorff (1864 - 1943), the first union of terrarians and scientists came into being. This association was called “Salamander, informal association of younger terrarium and aquarium friends”. This community survived the war and the division of Germany and was later renamed the "German Society for Herpetology and Terrarium Studies".

21st century

Nowadays, terraristics have already become normal. Here the problem crystallized that due to the easy availability of reptiles and amphibians everyone could get an animal. As with many other pets, these owners quickly feel overwhelmed or lack the necessary knowledge. The animals quickly became ill or were simply abandoned.

Despite the continuing popularity of terrariums, more voices have been raised in recent years. Opponents of animal husbandry, animal rights activists and other animal rights activists called for a ban on keeping reptiles and amphibians.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d History of terraristics. In: dght.de. DGHT, accessed on July 29, 2020 .