Option 1: Secure the terrarium out of reach from cats. I would recommend using a globe-shaped container and placing it in a plant hanger (that doesn't have a tassel on the bottom) high above a north window.
Alternatively, put the thing in the middle of a wall with nothing nearby for cats to vault from. Because terraria need little light, it should be fine with a stickup light above it that has a downward-facing lightbulb. Then all you need is a small shelf to hold the terrarium.
Option 2: First, choose a terrarium with a lid that can be secured, such as a bail jar (which has a wire latch that goes over the lid). Set it up. Then attach it to a shelf using hot glue, velcro, an earthquake strap, or some other secure fastener.
It's also possible to seal a terrarium completely, but that's a bit trickier to get the biome right. A latching lid will let you take it off if you need to water or air out the container.
Some shelves even have a way to unlatch from their brackets, but won't come loose accidentally. Check your local hardware or home-improvement store for that.
Option 3: Get a container that is too big and heavy to knock over. When I was little, Mom had one that started life as a 5-gallon pickle jar. Recently I saw a giant home decor jar that was about as tall but even wider, although that was a pennymouth jar which needs a different setup method. Sometimes you can find a used aquarium at a thrift store, which may be 10 gallons or more! A pet store should have a glass lid and/or a plastic cover with light, if it doesn't come with one. Look for one that latches, or make a way to secure it.
Once you've poured a bag of gravel in the bottom, a big container is going nowhere. Secure a loose glass lid with something like earthquake putty or elastic. A pennymouth can be plugged with a cork of appropriate size that you pound in firmly. This kind of terrarium can sit on the floor near a window where it will get indirect light.
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Thank you!
Date: 2025-04-20 03:06 am (UTC)Alternatively, put the thing in the middle of a wall with nothing nearby for cats to vault from. Because terraria need little light, it should be fine with a stickup light above it that has a downward-facing lightbulb. Then all you need is a small shelf to hold the terrarium.
Option 2: First, choose a terrarium with a lid that can be secured, such as a bail jar (which has a wire latch that goes over the lid). Set it up. Then attach it to a shelf using hot glue, velcro, an earthquake strap, or some other secure fastener.
It's also possible to seal a terrarium completely, but that's a bit trickier to get the biome right. A latching lid will let you take it off if you need to water or air out the container.
Some shelves even have a way to unlatch from their brackets, but won't come loose accidentally. Check your local hardware or home-improvement store for that.
Option 3: Get a container that is too big and heavy to knock over. When I was little, Mom had one that started life as a 5-gallon pickle jar. Recently I saw a giant home decor jar that was about as tall but even wider, although that was a pennymouth jar which needs a different setup method. Sometimes you can find a used aquarium at a thrift store, which may be 10 gallons or more! A pet store should have a glass lid and/or a plastic cover with light, if it doesn't come with one. Look for one that latches, or make a way to secure it.
Once you've poured a bag of gravel in the bottom, a big container is going nowhere. Secure a loose glass lid with something like earthquake putty or elastic. A pennymouth can be plugged with a cork of appropriate size that you pound in firmly. This kind of terrarium can sit on the floor near a window where it will get indirect light.
I hope this helps.