Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am going to start building a cage real soon and i first wanted to get the dimensions down for sure. i am gonna either build it 6x3 or 6'x30" but i have no idea on the height. i am gonna be getting either flavixargus cross or ackie so please give me an answer for both. i read that argus should have at least a couple feet to be happy is this the same for the cross. also what would make ackies happy. i am willing to make the substrate as deep as long as they use it all. would bed a beast be suitable and hold burrows well. i am gonna be building all sides are gonna be wood except for a glas front would vents be neccesary and why if so.

For the Ackies, you could get away with a foot of substrate. So a 4' tall enclosure would work out just fine. Im not entirely sure what the argus crosses require for burrowing deapth, especially if you want to breed. I am pretty certain that 1' isnt gonna cut it though ! As far as the bed-o-beast question...hehe...I cant even imagine the cost of trying to fill the bottom of an enclosure that size with that stuff!!

Most of use just use plain old dirt from outdoors, or a commercial topsoil mix. The problem that Ive encountered with the commercial mix is that foriegn debrit is a big issue. For instance, Ive found peices of WIRE, CIGARETT BUTTS, PLASTIC, and numerous other things that would be fatal if ingested.(or cost around 1500 bucks for a vet to remove from your animals digestive tract!!

Good luck to you! It really makes me happy to see you guys going out there and really researching BEFORE just buying the first thing you see at the local "Pets for Less"!

Best Regards!

Michelle

Argus and Gouldi complex crosses all like to dig. it seems like my crosses like to dig more than my argus. a lot of people are keeping them successfully in troughs. i am a little slow on the gun to such technologies but i am thinking about getting a trough, actually i am next week for kimberlys. but i am going to get a trough for my crosses, a 6x2x2. a foot of dirt is not great but it atleast allows them a burrow.

andrew
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Varanus Creations

do you have pictures yet? how big are the little guy?
from Alex

i screwed up the first batch, the second is great and will hatch within the month barring any more screwups on my behalf. i incubated them with too much water, the eggs went full term, one even pipped or so i thought but it might have been an egg burst.

oh well, you live and you learn. so now i will move on and be more successful with future batches of kimberly eggs. if only all eggs were as easy as the gouldi complex.

the second batch is being kept with much less water and all the eggs are perfect

andrew
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Varanus Creations

thanks for the help already. i now have a much better idea of what to do and have some more questions for the crosses. this is what i am planning on doing and and i would like to know if it would work out good. i am going to be builing the cage in two separate parts the stand which i am gonna make two feet high will be filled with dirt and made to look like a cabinet for looks then i will some how using pegs or not set it up so the top can sit on top of it with out falling off. would that work? i haven't figured out what i am gonna use for dirt yet so anyone know of a good mix to use. the cage is gonna be 6'x3 and i am either gonna give them two feet or 18 inches of height what would be best.feet so at what size should i move my pair of argus out of there. also do i need a vent or screen top for this thing.

A screen top will let out all your humidity and heat. You can add a vent on the side. I use a standard ceiling air vent, like the kind you use in you home. Theye only a couple bucks each and they dont make the cages look trashy.