Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking for advice for plans of large indoor enclosures used for monitors. I will be buying a house within the next year and plan on constructing a enclosure in the basement. Most likely constructed out of plywood fiberglass the inside. My friend is a boat builder so he can actually make it look half way descent, and I would think it would be long lasting. If the area is say 20 by 15 and say 6-7 feet tall for base, what are some ideas on creating large basking spots? I'm torn between large heat panels or multiple light fixtures or maybe there are some other things I do not know about. Did you keep your Crocs indoors? I really love mine and hope to someday hatch some. Any advice you can give about large indoors cages would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
Eli

Hi Eli, A large cage is basically the same as a small cage. You establish a base heat. Say, 75F, this could be done in many ways. With a large cage, some sort of heater. What works best in your area and with your services(propane, gas, electric, etc) You know, like heating a room.

Then use banks of lites for a hot spot. I have found its far less expensive to use a number of smaller wattages, then a few higher wattages.

I split a log and mount the lite bases to the flat side. This way, the monitors can use the top to lay on, and bask under lites.

With a cage the size your thinking about, I would use at least two of these areas. Remember, the base heat is done with some sort of ambiet heating, as mentioned already.

The type of construction would be based on the actual site and area your living in, so I cannot go into depth here.

I feel the ability to change the cage is very important. Most folks around here think I know it all, but actually I plan on not knowing anything and keeping flexible. Its more important to be able to execute your decisions, then knowing somthing.

So, make large doors, or removable sections, so you can move large objects in and out. Or competely change the cage, EASILY.

Next, make it easy to move food in, and feces out. This is very important. I find, the monitors closest to the kitchen are the most productive. Which means, the monitors the farthest from the food storage area are the least successful.

This goes for water too, make it easy. If you make it difficult, your monitors will suffer. Make the dirty water easy to get out. This is very important.

As you know, a lot of people get all concerned about species and aboreal and this and that. As you can see, I do not feel any of that is important. In fact, its meaningless. What is meaningful is having a cage that functions. If the cage functions, you can change it back and forth, it to cover all those things. And things you don't know about, yet. Its these things that will get you.

With crocs, I would make a cage that can isolate the animals. A larger comunity section, and a couple of smaller sections to house individuals that for some reason may need to be seperated from the main group/pair. So, what do you think? Cheers

Thanks for the reply. Everything you said makes perfect sense. Several lower wattage bulbs sounds like the way to go. I was thinking a couple sections that could be divided would be a good idea. Stan was saying that the males can be/are aggresive towards the females during breeding but the tides turn after they are gravid or eggs are laid. When you were sucessful in breeding your Crocs what typed of nesting options did you give them. Thanks for all the advice. My monitors thanks you too. Eli