The Second Terrarium

We have started another terrarium this year and the children are excited about it. We have already seen some different things within the terrarium so far. A fungus that climbs up the wall not sure of what type it is right now but researching it. Along with some egg sacs that were laid quite recently. This will be a long ongoing process to learn more about how insects and their habitat.

There are ear wigs in there and they have made a home where the soil hits the rocks in the right hand corner. The egg sacs are cloth like eggs and we are in the process of finding out more about the egg sacs that are in the terrarium. We have ants, pill bugs, millipede, and much more within the terrarium. Still 86 degrees or higher right now. The children are excited about learning about the insects again as well as I. It is important to learn more about how the insects live, eat, and do the things that they do.

These egg sacs are located everywhere in the soil. We have seen them before but did not study them until now. We have found out that it is a fungi that grows in the soil.

This fungi started out small and grew alot in just a short period. It is interesting to watch to see the different stems that the fungi has and the many different ways that it can move on the surface. The context is amazing because of the different colors that a fungi has. It started out grayish and then turned an off white. As it was going up the glass it turned white then a few hours of being in the glass it turned a brownish white.

As the fungi comes up the window it changes colors on the way up. Because of the difference in temperature as it is climbing up the glass towards the artificial light.

When it climbs up the glass it grows and spreads it’s stems all over the glass. It does not get far up the glass without dying a little as it goes along.

We placed some tape on the glass to keep it closed while we have insects in there. This is going to turn out to be a wonderful experience and looking forward to seeing the results from this project. It is amazing to watch the frogs, and grasshoppers interact with each other. The children are excited to see more about these insects that they will be catching over the upcoming year.

You cannot see it very well but there is a frog in the terrarium. His name is Bob one of the children named him that. We have a lizard named Liz, some pill bugs, and a lot more different insects. Another great project underway. It is going to be interesting to see what comes out of the soil.

This is Liz and it is neat to watch him or her change colors. The lizard likes to sit on the beams if the terrarium so that he or she can are all aspects of the surrounding area. It is neat to watch him or her catch food in the terrarium.

This is Rhipsalis it is in the cacti family. Although it is not a good plant for the terrarium because the toads and lizard likes to beat the Rhipsalis downtown the soil. Eventually it will take root and develop into more plant life for the toads and other insects to hide under.

It is amazing to watch these items grow right before your eyes. Into more than what they started out to be. The bigger they are the better the insects can hide from other prey. The children have caught pill bugs, larva, lady bug eggs for the lizard and lots of other things to keep the food population going so they have plenty of food.

Our pond that we made in the terrarium for the insects that enjoy water. It is looking good and it is very interesting to observe the insects that the children pick from outside.

This is a red fungi coming up the wall of the terrarium the other day. It is interesting to watch and observe what you might see if you look long enough.