Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay. I said I was going to post pics of my new Cyclura and Ctenosaura breeding cages.
I thought I would post pictures of the different phases of construction in case someone needs ideas in the future.

First, the total dimensions of the cage is 10’ W x 15’ L x 12’ Tall at the peak. The enclosure is sub-divided into 5 cages. The Cycluras live in two subsections, each measuring 5’ W x 10’ L.

The Ctenosauras will be houses in three sub-sections, each measuring approximately
3-1/2’ W x 5’ L

I used the steel tube frame from a canopy I bought at Home Depot and lined it with 1”x2” heavy gauge wire. The entire cage is sewn with galvanized wire. The doors are custom made with fence hardware and top-rail pipe. I placed cement blocks on the entire perimeter of the cage floor and filled it in with 8 tons of Lime/Yard sand.

Before I hauled in the sand, (one wheel barrow at a time.) I took some of you all’s advice and laid some chain-link fence on the bottom to keep them from burrowing out or deeper than I would like them to. This is especially important for C. Pectinata which loves to burrow deep almost reaching hell(lol ), and making it difficult to capture them if needed.

The blocks were laid down on the sides and rear of the cage. A 2-1/2’ x 5’ box was made with blocks which will serve as the hide-box., and then began the hauling of sand. The rear of the cage was filled to form a hill as to make the hide box sit elevated so that it will not flood in the rainy season.

Here are pics of the completed hide boxes. I will be adding some form of heat method in the future for the colder winter days. Right now I am using space heaters, but they do not last long in these conditions.

Another shot of the hide box.. Now you can see why the space heaters don’t last long.
The hide-box cover is made from a sheet of cement board. I will be adding some texture to the cement board to make it look rockier at a later date.

Here is a shot of the entire cage.

Here is a corner shot. The Cycluras are baking in the sun. 85 F today.

The hide box entrances are fitted with 8” diameter Ductile Iron and Cement pipe. The pipes were placed at an angle, which follow the grate of the slope to keep the chamber from becoming flooded through the pipes. The hills were sodded to create a natural look and to keep the sand from eroding. I found some hollow logs thanks to Hurricane Wilma.

I tried to replicate a natural looking environment for the Ctenosaurs based on what I am seeing them living in here. The pectinata sub-sections each have a mountain-like tower. The tower is made of a ¾” plywood box that is lined with stucco and lime stone rocks. Each side has three separate chambers measuring 1-1/2’ W x 1-1/2’ D x 10” H and are easily and individually accessible through doors on the side. Each chamber has a 4-1/2” cave-like entrance hole. The rocks are strategically placed as to make rain water drip down to the floor and not into the chamber. The rocks are piled all the way down to the chain-link fence on the bottom and all the large nooks and crannies are filled with stucco to prevent any iguana from burrowing under the rocks or making a home out of a crack in between the rocks, which would defeat the purpose of having easily accessible chambers. I will be adding some type of heating device for these as well in the future.

Here is a pic of the chambers, already being used by the Pectinatas.

Here is a pic of the other cage

Here is a pic of the side of one of the towers showing the doors. Can't tell they are there.

The End

Awesome set up Manny!!! Great pics! That sure is a labor of love creating such enclosures!
I wish I could keep my animals outdoors like that.
Great job!

Thanks. I did it all by myself. I nearly passed out a couple of times, but It is all worth it. I just put 2.5 wild caught adult Pectinatas, and they seem to be adapting well. I've seen a couple of them feeding already and they all come out and bask on the rocks. They also know exactly where the holes in the tower are and retreat every time they feel threatened. Most of the females are either gravid or ovulating, so I think I'm going to have plenty of babies this year.

And the female Cycluras are already starting to dig burrows for laying eggs.

Manny

Manny, seems well thought out. I would be interested to know if they are indeed using the space as you thought and designed, if the materials you chose stand up to the wear and tear. When does the Manny Zoo open to visitors? love the in-progress photos. thx

The whole set-up seems to be working better than I thought it would. The Pectinatas go in and out of the hide boxes regularly during the day. I know they are adapting well to the enclosure since, they could be anywhere in the cage and if they are disturbed, they will run and hide in the holes without going crazy and beating themselves up. They haven't even rubbed thier noses. Yesterday I planted some wild native plants called Shepards needles (Bidens alba)that is a staple diet for them here. The cage itself went through two hurricanes last year, including a category 3. Everything else around it got beat up but the cage did not budge. I expect the towers to last a long time. The entire exterior has been plastered prior to stucco cementing the rocks together. I'll post more on how they are doing in the future.

Thanks,

Manny

Wow manny, that is nice. I'll soon post some pics of my new cteno outdoor enclosures. Not as naturalistic as yours, but very functional. Decomposed granite going in this week, as soon as I can hire some cheap labor to bucket 2 tons of this stuff down hill to the rear yard (not wheel barrel accessable), then electrical. Once I add up everything, I will give a total of what it cost me. Scary thought......M

verry $$$cary. I estimate my cage's cost at $3,000.00 to build.
I would go and help you if you weren't 2000 miles away. (great excuse)heheheheehe!

Looking forward to them Pics when it is done.

Good luck.

Manny

Manny

totally great houseing for Ctenosaura.....have only heard your name mentioned in the Miami area..........we are setting up 2000 sq ft area for Ctenosaura similis black and white Sp Sp......can you supply young or breeders.........if you can please call 619-468-9148 so we can order.....we are Iguana Rescue in Southern California

We are also working on an article for the Reptile Magazine concerning the Boca Grande Florida Ctenosaura Rescue effort....can you help with this

Kevin Schneider
20683 Tumeric Way
Jamul CA 91935

619-468-9148