Posted by:
Calparsoni
at Mon Jun 14 16:35:33 2010 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Calparsoni ]
I wouldn't worry so much about night-time lows for La. at least for the summer months and sept. I would be monitoring them more closely towards the end of sept. and into early oct.
My real concerns would be two things. I know this is going to sound strange but I would be a bit worried about your water being able to squeeze through the spaces in that wire. My personal experience has been that if monitors can get their head through something they can squeeze the rest of their body through it. When I say personal experience I am referring to the first water monitor I ever got which was a 4 1/2 foot 35 lb. (very overweight) monitor that got into a wall through a hole I could barely fit my fist into. I ended up tearing down the wall to get it out. ialso once had a similar incident with an adult mangrove that escaped while cage cleaning and went for a mouse hole, It was half way in the hole when I grabbed it just in time. Once again had I not personally witnessed it I wouldn't have believed it (minus prior experience.)
My second concern would be the apparent lack of cover from this cage which could lead to stress with your animal an open cage like that would be fine inside but outside adds a whole different set of variables to the equation.
Personally if it were my set up I would put up two layers of 8"x8"x16" concreted blocks and then top them off with solid core 4"x8"x16" blocks either bonded together with regular mortar or covered with a layer of surface bonding cement (quick wall.) which is a great option if you are not all that good at masonry.
Then I would either construct a small shelter area in a corner area from blocks or out of a small dogloo type structure and fill in the rest of the clocked area with dirt and possibly add a few plants for cover. although you can expect the plants to get beaten up there are plants that will work. ( hibiscus comes to mind for the sake of simplicity and the ability to regrow quickly.)
I personally think you might have problems maintaining a pair of water monitors in a 12' x 6' cage without having territorial issues even if they are male and female (personal experience once again.)
Being very honest here I would be more inclined to at least double and preferably quadruple that floor space and add some visual barriers. One thing I have found (I live in Fl.) is that hurricanes tend to put waters in to hyperdrive as far as breeding goes and if you do not watch things closely your male may end up drowning your female trying to breed her if you don't watch them closely.
I apologize if anything in my post seems rude as I am only giving advice from personal experience and trying to do so constructively. Your cage does look nice and may do just fine. I figured I would mention the space vs. head size issue to give you a heads up it may be just fine. Other than that you could have a very nice cage with some minor improvements.
[ Hide Replies ]
- monitor cage image posting - elaphehead, Mon Jun 14 15:09:54 2010
 RE: monitor cage image posting - Calparsoni, Mon Jun 14 16:35:33 2010
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