Zooply terrariums: our own glass enclosure for hamsters, gerbils and mice

At Zooply we deliberately choose one good solution per product group, the one that works best for our own animals in the shop and the breeding facility. For small rodents that love to dig, that is a glass terrarium: spacious, low and wide, with a clear view, a ventilated top and room for a deep layer of bedding. We have brought out exactly that kind of enclosure under the Zooply name.

In this category you will find the Zooply Glass Terrarium in three sizes: 80 × 40 × 50 cm, 100 × 40 × 50 cm and 150 × 50 × 50 cm, all three in black. On this page you can read what the terrariums have in common, which size suits which animal and how to furnish them with the rest of the Zooply range.

At a glance

• ✓ All Zooply terrariums have sliding doors, a ventilation grille, an anti-gnaw strip and a high bottom edge for a thick digging layer.
• ✓ According to the product information, the 80 × 40 cm model is suitable for dwarf hamsters and mice.
• ✓ For Syrian hamsters and gerbils, choose the larger sizes, such as 100 × 40 or 150 × 50 cm.
• ✓ If in doubt, choose the larger size: for these animals floor space matters more than height.
• ✓ Never place the terrarium in the sun or next to a radiator.

What will you find in the Zooply Hutches & Cages category?

Zooply Glass Terrarium 80 × 40 × 50 cm

The compact model. According to the product information, it is suitable for dwarf hamsters and mice; for Syrian hamsters and gerbils this size is too small. For one dwarf hamster or a small group of mice, it gives you an enclosure that holds a deep digging layer, a few hiding places, a running wheel and a sand bath.

Zooply Glass Terrarium 100 × 40 × 50 cm

Twenty centimetres wider, and according to the product information therefore suitable for Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters, gerbils and mice. A good size if you want to house a Syrian hamster in a spot where a deeper terrarium will not fit.

Zooply Glass Terrarium 150 × 50 × 50 cm

The largest model, with more than twice as much floor as the 80 × 40 cm terrarium. In this one you can really create zones: a deep digging corner, an open running area, a sand bath, several houses and a feeding spot, without it feeling cramped. Ideal for a Syrian hamster you want to give as much space as possible, or for a pair or small group of gerbils or mice. In the hamster, gerbil, mouse and degu categories you will also find the 100 × 50 and 120 × 50 cm sizes.

What all Zooply terrariums have in common

According to the product specifications, all Zooply Glass Terrariums have sliding doors, a ventilation grille, an anti-gnaw strip and a high bottom edge. The top is closed and there are no platforms inside, so you decide on the furnishings entirely yourself. All sizes are 50 cm tall.

Each of these features has a purpose. The sliding doors let you reach your animal and the furnishings without moving the terrarium. The high bottom edge keeps the digging layer inside when you slide the doors open. The ventilation grille provides air exchange, and the closed top prevents an animal from climbing out via a house or running wheel. The glass walls give you a good view of your animals, even when they are asleep in a burrow against the glass.

Which size for which animal?

Syrian hamster: a solitary animal that needs a lot of floor. Choose at least 100 cm wide; with 150 × 50 cm you give it the most space. The 80 × 40 cm model is too small.

Dwarf hamster: also best kept alone. The 80 × 40 cm terrarium can be a base, but dwarf hamsters also make full use of a larger enclosure.

Gerbils: social animals that you keep in pairs or small groups. Choose at least 100 cm wide, and the largest model for a small group.

Mice: a small group of females or a single male can live in the 80 × 40 cm terrarium. For a larger group, choose more floor.

Furnishing a Zooply terrarium

Start with the digging layer. Hamsters and gerbils need at least about 20 cm, and more is better; for mice the Zooply product information gives 10 to 15 cm. You work out how many litres you need with length × width × layer depth in centimetres, divided by 1000. A 20 cm layer in the 150 × 50 cm terrarium is about 150 litres. Choose a low-dust Zooply bedding, such as Zooply Hemp Fibre, and for gerbils mix in some hay or straw, so the tunnels stay up.

Let the layer slope down towards one side. In the deep part your animal digs its tunnels and nest; in the shallow part you place the items that need to stand firmly: a running wheel with a solid running surface, a sand bath with Zooply Bathing Sand and a heavy food bowl. With the running wheel, keep the inside height of 50 cm in mind and do not put it on top of the deep layer.

Finish it off with hiding places, nesting material made of natural fibres and natural materials such as cork and branches. Scatter some Zooply dried herbs or part of the food through the bedding; then your animal will go searching and foraging, just like in nature.

Placing and keeping it clean

Glass heats up quickly in the sun. So do not put a Zooply terrarium by a sunny window or next to a radiator, and not in a draught either. A filled terrarium is heavy: place it on a sturdy, level surface and only fill it once it is in its permanent spot. Always keep the ventilation grille clear.

Refresh wet patches and the sand bath regularly, and replace the bedding in sections. Always leave part of the clean, dry material in place, so the enclosure keeps a familiar smell. Clean the glass with warm water and a soft cloth, without strongly scented products.

Useful combinations

• Bedding: low-dust Zooply bedding for a deep digging layer.
• Bathing sand: Zooply Bathing Sand for the sand bath of hamsters, gerbils and degus.
• Hay & Straw: to mix through the digging layer and as nesting material.
• Zooply Rodent Food: the right Zooply food for your hamster, gerbils or mice.
• Dried herbs: to scatter through the bedding as enrichment.

Frequently asked questions about Zooply terrariums

Why are there terrariums in the Hutches & Cages category?

In the Zooply Hutches & Cages category you will find all enclosures from our own brand. At the moment, those are the Zooply Glass Terrariums. We deliberately chose glass, because it holds the deep digging layer that hamsters, gerbils and mice need.

Which size Zooply terrarium should I choose for a Syrian hamster?

For a Syrian hamster, choose a terrarium at least 100 cm wide. In this category, that is the 100 × 40 cm model and the largest model of 150 × 50 cm. According to the product information, the 80 × 40 cm terrarium is too small for a Syrian hamster.

Is there enough ventilation with a closed top?

Yes, that is what the ventilation grille is for. Keep the grille clear, do not put the terrarium in a stuffy corner or in the sun, and remove wet patches in good time. If it smells musty or of ammonia, refresh the toilet spots more often.

How do I clean a Zooply terrarium?

Through the sliding doors you can reach the furnishings and the bedding without moving the terrarium. Remove wet patches and dirty sand, refresh the bedding in sections and wipe the glass clean with warm water. Keep the runners of the sliding doors free of bedding, so they keep closing properly.

Can I use a Zooply terrarium for several animals?

For social animals such as gerbils and mice, yes: choose a size with enough floor for the group. Hamsters are always kept alone, even in the largest terrarium. A Syrian hamster is solitary, and dwarf hamsters kept together also often end up fighting.

Buying Zooply terrariums at Knaagplaza

At Knaagplaza, the webshop of 't Knaagplein, you will find the Zooply Glass Terrariums and everything from Zooply to furnish them completely: bedding, bathing sand, hay, herbs and food. Zooply is our own premium brand, created because the products that worked best for our own animals were not always available from other brands. We use it every day in the shop and the breeding facility.