Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is anybody incorporating the "Retes Stack" in large monitor cages? Lace, white-throat, etc.?

I would really like to see how this method is being used in larger monitor enclosures. I have seen many photos of large monitor enclosures on the net(photo gallery, etc.) and this forum but have not yet seen one using the Retes stack. I realize that the stack merely serves the purpose of providing a variable range for thermoregulatory behavior, but it does this quite well... So my question is, why is it not being displayed in with the big lizards?

Its not about the size of the lizard, its about the design of the lizard. Retes stacks(I am he) is a design mainly for burrowers or crevice dwelling reptiles(not just monitors)(in fact, it was not designed for monitors to start with)

None crevice dwellers have a high vertibral process. That is the bone on top each segment of the backbone sticks up and it rubs on the boards, often causing scarring. These types use round topped holes. Such as hollow logs, or soft dirt.

Also, with larger monitors, its not about species as size, I use these board setups with neonates. Then as adults I use a different design of the same thing. In fact, as the Retes in retes boards, I do not use them like most others anyway, I do not have a set configuration. I use them to fit the needs of the individual under that individuals current situation.

I would imagine the problem is cage size. If you take a retes stack for an ackie and scale it up to an adult lacie or adult albig, you would need a room to fit it in. Unfortunately, most keep large monitors in cages a retes stack would not fit in. A least not a usable one.

But you have given me an idea, I think I will build a five foot tall retes stack and test it out. Thanks

Thanks Frank you just confirmed my suspicions about the mysterious sores on the back of my Niles neck. First I thought It was a burn. I checked the temp at his basking site and even held my hand under the hottest spot under the light for a good 5 minutes. No way did he get burned. My next guess was some sort of shed related skin problem. Unlikely since he spends a fair amount of time in the water and has a burrow in a nice moist pile of mulch, plus I see the shed come off all the time. He inhabits a whole room and I have a large cage in there where my other nile lives. The only thing I could come up with was that he wedges himself in the space between the cage and the wall and uses his back and legs to push his way up.He likes to hang out on top of the cage, its hotter up there. I believe these are abrasions from the rough plywood and the spinal configuration you mentioned.

Roger