"Doors, the best doors are sliding windows, they do not take up space and when installed inside out, the locks are now on the outside. They are inexpensive and come in many sizes."



the ons i saw in home depot were like $150 and up, plus the opening was about the same size as the ones i am planning on having, except my doors swing out.



"They do not use dirt, they use leaf litter, decomposed wood(think inside of a dead tree) A burrow must include the whole lizard to be considered a burrow, which means it has to be greater in lenght then the monitor."



i'm all for this, but how do i go about replicating a tree burrow of these proportions? where do i get decomposed wood? i was planning on using leaf litter (if i do, how deep?) until i saw him digging all over his current cage. what about a little bit of both? also, where do i get leaf litter? i definitely don't mind trying it, i think it is more attractive.



"waterland tubs, the problem here is monitors are not turtles, monitors will move the substrate, whatever it is, and place it squarely in the water section, several times a day."



i have a tub in his cage now, and he still gets dirt in there everyday, and it is like 8 inches above the dirt level. i am totally prepared to clean that up. i looked at the large tub, isn't it almost the same thing but without the buil in water reservoir? (btw, branches will be everywhere in the cage and definitely gonna go over the water, so the space is not so much a waste, especially since i hear they are so highly arboreal... doesn't this also mean that he will be spending the majority of his time up there anyway?



"Now the question becomes, whats more important to your monitor, the water part or the substrate part. Monitors live in their substrate, whether it represents a hole in the ground or a hollow tree. Its their home. Water can be provided in many ways. From drinking water, to a tub. Consider a tub for soaking, assumes you have a dehydrated monitor that needs to be soaked. Otherwise, this type of monitor does not need a soaking tub. Of course a overheated monitor will also soak to cool off."



well i was planning on putting dirt (or leaves) in the water section and making the 1/4 land section into the water section. i really like the idea of being able to simply drain it, clean it, and fill it. i also think he enjoys the water, i have heard/read other accounts of this. also, nearly every time i take him to the beach (soon to be replaced by the creek when i get to college) he always goes for a dip and a swim. he also has a dorsally flattened tail, doesn't that evolve for better propulsion in the water?



thanks again,

-jake

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