Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I a 10x10x6 dog kennel in mind, chain link (with a chain link top too of course). This will house my female BT. She is 52" long and well built, so I don't believe the chain link will be a problem. There will also be a boundary sunken in the ground 2' (so she can't dig out from underneath), and will rise above the ground 2'.
Inside will be all the necessary furnishings, including shrubbery for shade, stumps to dig under, logs with basking platforms of plywood, water, hides, etc.
She will also have access to an insulated crate with all the correct basking temps, and ambient temps for cooler days here in Florida.
I was thinking of eventually getting her a partner. Is a 10x10 large enough to allow space for the two monitors, without having to worry about conflict?
I am open to all suggestions and constructive criticism. Please chime in and tell me what you think.

experiance if you don't COMPLETELY cover the entire bottom SECURELY it will escape!!1 I know this because 20 plus years ago I thought it would work as well. It didn't and I had V. bengalensis and 2 V. flavescens running about my property. I eventually recovered most of the Bengals but no Golden Monitors. TC

I would be concerned about it climbing the fence and falling. I also think it would be a bit cramped for two.

Just my thoughts.

Have a good one!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Hi Mr. Appalachian American, nice to meet you in Daytona. However if you read what he wrote he says he's putting a chain link top on. As far as size goes thats PLENTY big enough. TC

Hey Tom!
It was a pleasure meeting you at Daytona, I enjoyed our conversation. I was going to say something to you earlier but I didn't want to detract from newstorm's questions. I was going to come back & say something to ya after there were a few more replies.

I read that there was going to be a chain link top, I wasn't concerned about 'em getting out, just about climbing the sides & the potential of falling due to nowhere else to go. I realize I might be worrying a bit too much on this, I don't know if there's generally any reason for concern or not.

On my thinking that a 10 x 10 might be a bit cramped for two adult BTs, well, I'm one of those people that keep their two adult monitors in a 125-gal aquarium but advocate extremely large enclosures. LOL! Nah, seriously, not having actually seen a large monitor in a similar size cage I had to try to envision it. I'd take your word over my thoughts, for sure.

I reckon 'ol Frank's right, successful experience does make a difference. Ha! Ha!

Don't be too much of a stranger 'round here! Good to see ya!

Mike
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

have you thought about buying a bird aviary. I'm not too sure what the cost difference would be, but they're well worth their money in my opinion.

I bought one that's 20x10x7 with a divider close to the middle. The aviary is a complete box preventing any kind of dig outs, and they come with nice walk-in doors and small feeder doors.

here's a sample pic of mine
I was doing a lot of work on the cage in this pic

this is the inside with many of the items you mentioned

good luck with your project
shay

i wish i didnt' live in minnesota where winters SUCK because that looks awsome! very nice
-----
17 BP
2 GTP
3 Chameleons
6 Beardies
1 Crested
2 Huskies
1 blue and gold macaw
1 african grey
1 patternless albino Burmese
2 Reticulated pythons (*purple and lav. albino tiger)
1 savannah monitor ("Spike"
1 live in gf lol
= Busy House

Very impressive, shay!

Out of curiosity, where could I find more info, including prices, on something like that?

You didn't get a hernia carrying those rocks into the setup, did ya? Made mine hurt lookin' at 'em. LOL!

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Man Shay!!! That is the nicest gaddarn enclosure i have ever seen! Where do you live? Can you explain your winterization technique?

The dog kennel was only $300 shipped. I'll probably put in another 300 for furnishings and the perimeter box.

Keep the ideas coming guys you are all really helpful.

haha, the hardest part about this cage was moving those dang rocks. Good thing I'm in pretty good shape.

HappyHillbilly, the best way to find something like this would be to do a google search for local aviary companies. Or go down to a pet store that specializes in birds and ask for suggestions.

Newstorm, it sounds like that dog kennel will be much cheaper, but I'd get extra chain link to line the floor. Don't give them any opportunities to escape.

These cages are in San Diego currently. When winter rolls around the lizards move into garage cages.

cheers
Shay

The house we are moving into (where the cage is going) has a whole roll of chain link fencing in the garage. I could use that to line the floor.

Even with a corrugated fiberglass perimeter, sunken 2' into the ground on all sides, and overlapped with the kennel, there is still a possibility she would dig underneath and out? Seems nearly impossible, but I don't want to be the one to underestimate, and have an escaped monitor on my hands.

If you DON'T COMPLETELY COVER THE BOTTOM THEY WILL ESCAPE OVER TIME!!! They have nothing to do all day but explore and look for ways out. Monitors are not as stupid as most folks think and are escape artists. They might not escape the first few days but over time they will. Then we'll have another sensational news article about dangerous lizards on the loose.TC

Remove all doubts.

What about this?
Use the roll of fencing to form a secured bottom. The pen is 10 x 10, and if the roll of fencing is 4ft high you lay down several pieces side-by-side and wire them together. Then you can cut pieces to form the 2ft depth and secure them to both the bottom pieces & the bottom of the pen, leaving no gaps (removing all doubts). Then you can backfill the dirt you removed to form the secure 2ft flooring.

I do see your project coming together (pun?).

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

OK well I have decided not to be a jackass and listen to experience. The floor will be covered, now i have to get fill to put on top, cause Ill be damned if i dig a 10x10x2 hole, lol...

Remember now, my ideas aren't from experience, I've never built an outside enclosure. I don't see why my idea of binding the pieces together wouldn't work but that's why people like TC, FR and a few others hang around, to keep us hooligans in line. Haha!!

Get you a shovel with a motor on it. Prepare the bottom and then rent a bobcat for a day to dig out the area & backfill it. Just practice driving the bobcat AWAY from any structures. LOL! They're not that hard to learn to operate.

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American