Terrarium/Gerbilarium Black Scape with sliding door, double grid & high edge

Terrarium Gerbilarium Black Scape with Sliding Door, Double Grid & High Edge

Meet the world's first glass Hamster Cage Terrarium/Gerbilarium with double ventilation!

The first terrarium truly designed for hamster scaping and gerbil scaping ! The Black Scape Terrarium is the first fully glass rodent enclosure specifically designed for natural environments like hamster scaping and gerbil scaping. While previous enclosures were based on converted aquariums or standard reptile terrariums, Black Scape finally offers a solution that actually meets the needs of small rodents: double ventilation, gnaw-proofing, high sides, and excellent accessibility via sliding doors.

This terrarium is therefore ideal for anyone looking for a safe, spacious and technically sophisticated habitat for hamsters, gerbils, mice or dwarf hamsters.

✔ Ideal for hamsterscaping and gerbilscaping !
✔ Double ventilation grille – optimal air circulation thanks to both top and bottom grilles.
✔ Thermosiphon ventilation principle – prevents odor formation, respiratory infections and excessive humidity.
✔ 25 cm high edge – suitable for deep ground cover and natural digging opportunities.
✔ Made of 4mm thick glass – sturdy, safe and transparent for perfect visibility.
✔ Sliding doors – easy to clean and safe to work in the enclosure.
✔ Rodent-resistant bottom grille – equipped with a protective profile to prevent gnawing.
✔ Available in multiple sizes from 80 to 120 cm – suitable for various animal species and group sizes.
✔ 50cm height – space for tall decorations, running wheels and natural furnishings.
! Small note: Glass terrariums are heavy; place the enclosure on a stable surface.

Why double ventilation is essential for small rodents

In traditional glass enclosures, ventilation is often a problem. A single top vent allows warm air to escape, but as long as cool air can't enter, there's no real airflow. This causes the air to stagnate, humidity to rise too high, and ammonia and odors can build up.

The Black Scape Terrarium completely solves this by using two ventilation openings at different heights.

How it works – natural convection (thermosiphon)

1. Warm air rises and leaves the room through the upper grille.
2. This creates a slight negative pressure.
3. Cooler, fresh air is drawn in through the low, rodent-proof grille.
4. This creates continuous air circulation without draughts.

Advantages of this system

• Less odor formation
• Lower risk of respiratory infections
• Lower risk of parasites (low humidity)
• Constant temperature
• Healthy living environment without stagnant air

In other words, this terrarium has the ventilation that many other glass enclosures lack.

High edge of 25 cm – ideal for deep ground cover

For hamsters, gerbils, and mice, deep digging material isn't a luxury, but a basic necessity. The Black Scape has a 25 cm high glass rim, allowing you to easily provide 20–30 cm of substrate.

This allows animals to:

• digging tunnels
• making nesting chambers
• build natural corridors
• reduce stress (underground hidden behavior)

For hamster scaping and gerbil scaping, this terrarium is therefore one of the best choices on the market.

LICG advice & space requirements for small rodents

Sufficient living space is essential for the well-being of small rodents. The LICG (National Information Centre for Companion Animals) sets minimum requirements for contiguous floor space for each species, with more space always contributing to natural behavior and well-being.

Floor surfaces Terrarium Black Scape (L × W):

80 × 40 cm: approx. 0.32 m²
100 × 40 cm: approx. 0.40 m²
100 × 50 cm: approx. 0.50 m²
120 × 40 cm: approx. 0.48 m²
120 × 50 cm: approx. 0.60 m²

Suitability per animal species (based on LICG guidelines):

Dwarf mice & mice
✔ Suitable from 80 × 40 cm, depending on group size and furnishings.

Dwarf hamster rs
✔ Suitable from 100 × 40 cm (≥ 0.4 m²)

Golden hamsters
✔ Suitable from 100 × 50 cm

Gerbils
✔ Suitable from 100 × 50 cm

Thanks to their high rim, double ventilation grille, and sliding doors, these terrariums are ideal for natural substrates, enrichment, and animal-friendly design. Larger models make it easier to comply with LICG guidelines and offer greater long-term comfort.

Terrariums and Air Circulation: The Magic Behind Airflow

Our Black Scape terrariums are carefully designed to provide optimal air circulation for the animals they house. They feature a sophisticated ventilation system that benefits the rodents' well-being. But how does this actually work?

Top air vent: The terrarium is equipped with a top air vent that runs the full length of the top. This top vent acts as an exhaust for warm air in the terrarium. Warm air naturally rises, and this vent provides an outlet for that warm air.

Second Fresh Air Intake: This second fresh air intake vent is the fresh air intake point for the terrarium. Fresh air is drawn in through the rodent-proof grille at the front. This air is cooler and contains more oxygen than the air inside the terrarium.

Protective front grille: The front of the terrarium features a protective grille that runs the entire length. It's important to note that this grille is protected with a rodent-resistant profile to prevent rodents from damaging it.

Natural convection: The system uses the principle of natural convection. Warm air rises and cold air sinks. This phenomenon is called thermosiphoning. The warm air in the terrarium rises to the top grille at the top of the terrarium.

Air circulation: The natural thermosiphon circulation of warm air rising and cold air falling creates continuous air circulation. This means that warm, stale air in the terrarium is expelled through the top grille, while fresh air from outside is drawn in through the low, rodent-resistant grille at the front.

This air circulation ensures healthy air quality in the terrarium, minimizes odors, and prevents air stagnation. The result is an optimal living environment where the animals can exhibit their natural behavior without the risk of respiratory infections due to inadequate ventilation. Furthermore, the risk of parasites is reduced because the terrarium, thanks to its good ventilation, lowers humidity. Pests such as parasites, mites, lice, etc., thrive in higher humidity.

What exactly does this thermosiphon principle of a Terrarium / Gerbilarium entail and what does it mean for you and your animal?

With Thermosiphon, we use the principles of thermodynamics. Warm air rises and cold air sinks, and we use this kinetic energy to provide your pet with good ventilation in its enclosure.

In a home with only one ventilation point, warm air rises regardless of the size of the vent at the top. However, due to the lack of a good supply of cold, fresh air, this warm air can only escape minimally, due to a vacuum. However, by breaking this vacuum with a second vent, positioned lower than the top one, we can fill it with clean, fresh air, creating effective ventilation.

The Benefits of Our Ventilation System

Our ventilation system offers numerous advantages, not only for the terrarium inhabitants, but also for the owners:

• Healthy Air Quality : Constant air circulation ensures healthy air quality in the terrarium, which significantly reduces the risk of respiratory infections.

• Minimize Odors : It prevents odors from building up, keeping the indoor environment fresh and pleasant.

• Parasite Prevention : Effective air circulation reduces humidity, significantly reducing the risk of pests such as parasites, mites, lice, and the like. These pests thrive in a humid environment.

• Temperature Control : The ventilation system also helps regulate the temperature in the terrarium, preventing overheating.

Single Top Grille vs. Double Top and Bottom Grille

A frequently asked question is whether a single top grille or a grille-shaped cover covering the entire top is better than a system with two grilles—both a top and a bottom grille. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages.

A single top grille/cover can provide maximum air circulation, but this often comes at the cost of less suction. This is because air circulation in a closed space is driven by natural convection, where warm air rises and cold air sinks. With a single top grille, air circulation cannot be sufficiently stimulated.

A dual-vent system, with an upper and lower vent, provides more controlled and efficient air circulation. Air circulation is stimulated by the natural movement of warm and cold air, with the lower vent inlet for cool air and the upper vent exhausting warm air.

The choice between these systems depends on specific needs and priorities. If safety and airflow control are more important, a system with two grilles may be preferable.

What do you notice about this double ventilation?

Less odor, because the odors from urine and organic waste are removed much more quickly. It also results in much better air quality, preventing your pet from developing respiratory infections due to a lack of ventilation.

With this double-ventilated terrarium, you can enjoy a fresh and healthy living environment for your beloved animal!

50cm high for extra space!

The terrarium is also 50 cm high, allowing space for a running wheel on the substrate. This terrarium is ideal for " hamsterscaping, " for example. Thanks to the high edge, plenty of bedding can be used, allowing small rodents to dig. The terrarium is suitable for small rodents such as mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters, and gerbils.

Internal dimensions

(Handy for choosing wheels, platforms and decorations.)

• 80 × 40 × 50 cm → 78.5 × 38.5 × 48.5 cm
• 100 × 40 × 50 cm → 98.5 × 38.5 × 48.5 cm
• 100 × 50 × 50 cm → 98.5 × 48.5 × 48.5 cm
• 120 × 50 × 50 cm → 118.5 × 48.5 × 48.5 cm