Bioactive terrariums are more than just a pretty display—they’re living, self-sustaining worlds in miniature. What sets them apart from simple planted terrariums is the addition of tiny inhabitants.

So you want to make a self-sustaining, bioactive terrarium. But where do you start? Check out these expert tips on how to put the “bio” in “bioactive”! It’s hard to deny the charm of terrariums.

Pets are often worth a labour of love. [leftthegan] — in want of a corn snake — found that Sweden’s laws governing terrarium sizes made all the commercial options to too small for a fully-grown snake.