Live Oak leaves are another great long lasting leaf in a terrarium or vivarium. Much smaller than Magnolia making them easier to fit into smaller areas and around delicate plants. These are our favorite leaves to use in our tanks!
Leaf litter not only helps with providing a naturalistic appearance, but the leaves also provide hiding spots for animals such as dart frogs. Additionally, microfauna like springtails and isopods will use the decomposing leaves as food. In the forest, the leaf litter may be several inches thick. Typically in tanks, you want to have the leaves at least a few layers deep and you should routinely add leaves as you see them decomposing.