Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Everyone says 4x2x2 as a minimum cage size for heat gradient purposes, but I seem to get optimal temps from my 36x16x16 cage. Do you guys think this is an adequate setup for a 6" ornate?

Here is my setup and results:

1. Lamps
- 75 watt halogen, flood, on a dimmer (dimmed about 1/3)
- 60 watt ceramic on the cool side (dimmed about 1/3); ceramic bulb left on 24/7
- Reptisun 10.0 mounted inside cage
- All lights on timers with 14/10 day/night

2. Substrate and furnishings:
- Dark slate rocks (much softer than typical slate) for basking ad hides on hot side
- Slate tile used for hide on cool side
- Washed playsand 1/3" deep between rock areas
- Climbing branch

3. Cage
- All wood painted bright white inside and out
- All sealed joints
- Sliding front glass doors around 9" tall
- 2 3.5" vents on hot side, 1 3.5" vent on cool
- Cage located in a semi-basement room which keeps consistent temps (i.e., no direct sun, etc.)

4. Instruments
- Temp gun for measuring basking areas
- 2 digital thermometers for hot and cool sides with humidity gage

5. Food
- Mostly spring mix so far, but will vary with bok choy, escarole and other greens

Results:
- 120*-135* basking spot on rocks
- 104*-110* basking on sand below halogen
- 92*-95* ambient on hot side
- 79*-82* ambient on cool side
- 72* nighttime lows on both hot and cool (hot side slowly cools down from heat on rocks; cool side supplemented by ceramic bulb)

I just rec'ed the little guy two weeks ago, and he's eating well and not at all skittish. I haven't handled him at all. Can I keep him in this setup long term?

Thanks!

but i was also wondering what would be an ideal tank size for a pair of either ornates or saharans(if i cant get them ill get malis as a last resort)
ill be getting them as cb babies when available i wont settle for w/c. it just stinks as im having to wait so long but hey its better for the uros.
adam
-----
" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
hybrid breeders association
1.1 puebladurans
1.1 sinacorns
1.1 hypo corns
1.1 kenyan sand boas
1.1 mbk
1.1 yellow ratsnakes
1.1 albino corns
1.2 childrens python
1.2 ghost corns
1.1 butter(female motley)
1.2 pyroxgreerixruthvenixalternaxcampbellixholbrooki
0.1 hypo pyroxgreerixruthvenixalternaxcampbellixholbrooki
1.0 snow corns
1.0 jurassic milk
1.0 house snake
0.2 albino pueblacorns
0.1 striped ghosts
0.1 anery pueblacorn
0.1 bloodred
0.1 striped albino corn
0.1 albino nelsons
0.1 anery motley
0.1 normal corn het hypo,anery
0.1 hypo tang hondo

Your set-up sounds just fine for his size. Your diet of mostly Spring Mix lacks in many nutrients. Read all the care sheets. At the moment, you're still in the dark ages. No offense intended. Just dig deeper.

Thanks for the verification. I have done considerable research, and people seem to be adamant that 4x2x2 is the *only* acceptable cage size. I just wanted to confirm that a smaller cage is acceptable provided that it maintains an appropriate heat gradient.

In terms of spring mix, I have only done so for the past few days. I will definitely vary his diet with recommended greens, including escarole, dandelion, baby bok choy, etc. I will use supplements sparingly as well.

Thanks again. I had an aegyticus back in 1991 that died from my lacking appropriate information. (The reptile shop from where I sourced him -- a highly reputable shop and the largest in the area -- recommended 95* basking temps at the time and no supplemental night heat during winter months. They also thought he would only get 12" when fully grown.) I definitely don't want to repeat that situation again and appreciate your help!

You're doing all the right things (esp. the bright white) & the enclosure is fine for now. 6 inches is just a wee little lizard & it doesn't require a 4' cage, especially since it's not a fish tank.
Take care.
D&L