I'm going to be revamping my outdoor enclosures this year too. I plan to move mine off the ground and put them on 4 by 4 posts about 3.5 feet off the ground. I've found after 3 years that the ground cages pose several problems.
1. They can be difficult to keep clean if they are very large.
2. If , pest, bacterial or viral contamination is a problem they can be difficult to disinfect. (all of my hibernators outdoors have wild mites every spring).
3. They are not conducive to intensive observation.


My idea is to build a 4 by 8 foot wood "pan" with plywood bottom (2x4 framed underneath for support)and 2x12 sides. Then probably use either tarp or pond liner to keep the wood dry. I'll put some kind of drainage in this so it will not fill up during rains. I use 1/4 inch mesh for the sides, which lets in good sun but keeps out everything bigger than 1/4 which includes most HL predators. I'll be using PVC roofing in some fashion, but have some challenges with this that are yet to be worked out.

If anyone else is interested in this kind of setup I'd really like to get together and work out any bugs or concerns before building.

I think there are several benefits to this kind of setup:
1. It gets it off the ground and out of the way of some types of predators.
2. It would be easier to clean and maintain than a ground enclosure. Complete substrata changes and sterilization as necessary.
3. Easier to observe your reptiles.
4. If done properly, temperature controls could be better.

If anyone is interested in working on this project starting very soon, drop me a note.


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