Microhabitat — A small living space within a broader habitat where temperature, moisture, light or physical structure differs from the surroundings. Beneath a rock, the leaf litter, a bark crevice and exposed ground can all offer different conditions in the same forest or desert.
Understanding by example
A species can inhabit an arid region yet shelter in a protected burrow by day. Those statements are compatible because conditions inside the burrow may fluctuate less than the surrounding landscape. Where and when a measurement was taken matters.
Common misconceptions
Do not convert a weather station’s mean air temperature directly into an animal’s experienced temperature or a captive target. Check height, depth, shade, season and time. A microhabitat describes environmental conditions as well as the name of a shelter.
Related reading and sources
For species-specific context, see Protected Microhabitats of the African Fat-tailed Gecko. Browse the full glossary.
Basic reference: Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutrition in Reptiles.