Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, so I live in Michigan, and we kind of don't have the proper climate to keep animals outside all year round. But, regardless of our harsh winters, we have nice, long, hot summers. I have a bearded dragon and a few other species that would probably benefit from going outside to bask in the natural sun. The problem is I don't have any mesh cages I can bring outside. SO this brings me to my problem...

I want to make my animals a mesh cage so I can allow them to go outside. It will be built to fit a piece of plywood I have and it will be collapsible so I can store it. I already have this all planned out. The only problem is that I cannot find the proper mesh. I am looking for the kind of wire mesh that most commercially made screen tops are made from, if you know what I mean. I'm pretty sure most of us have/have had a screen top on one of our aquariums. That kind of mesh. The thing is my local hardware stores don't carry the proper mesh. So I am looking for some online places to order it from. I am pretty sure some of you chameleon keepers could refer to the place where you get your mesh.

And also, I have checked out some of the already made enclosures available, like the apogee reptariums, but I find these too expensive for the way they're made.

Thanks,
Levi

I'm very surprised you can't find it. However, I would avoid the typical window screen as it blocks a certain amount of the light from the sun. I also don't like its lack of puncture resistance. I wanted to be sure my bearded dragon was not getting out.

I found some vinyl coated 1/2" mesh which is what I made my bearded basking cage from. It was at a Midwest dealer called Menards. I just made six square panels from 1" PVC pipe and 90 degree fittings. Screen was held to the panels with zip ties. I then attached the six panels together with more zip ties. I used small dog leash clips for form the hinges and lock mechanism for the door, which was just another piece of screen.

The dragon is long gone but I ended up leaving the cage next to our AC unit for the last three years. Depite direct afternoon sun and three winters it was still completely secure when I broke it down last week.

At any rate, I recommend a larger mesh and something vinyl dipped.

BTW, my dragon seemed to do very well with frequent exposure to the sun.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephala (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Ok, i see what you mean. I might just get that. The main thing is that most stores in my area that I've been to don't sell the screen. I'll look into this menards place, the name sounds familiar. Are you saying you are using vinyl coated aluminum screen, or just vinyl screen? I also veered away from the 1/2 inch screen and wanted to go a bit smaller because I was thinking I would use it for my Earless lizards also, which are quite tiny lizards that could get their head caught in that size mesh. I probably will try to not go below 1/4 in though. That is why I like the screen the commercial screen tops are made from.

I'm still open to any reasonable online suppliers people have, though. That would be ideal.

The stuff I used was vinyl coated steel screen, I believe. The part in contact with the ground for three years straight has not rusted at all.

I'd be very surprised if you were not able to find something that will work. Farm supply stores, hardware stores, etc. Look for welded wire mesh as well.

I'm sure you can find something that will work for both the earless and the beardeds.

>>Ok, i see what you mean. I might just get that. The main thing is that most stores in my area that I've been to don't sell the screen. I'll look into this menards place, the name sounds familiar. Are you saying you are using vinyl coated aluminum screen, or just vinyl screen? I also veered away from the 1/2 inch screen and wanted to go a bit smaller because I was thinking I would use it for my Earless lizards also, which are quite tiny lizards that could get their head caught in that size mesh. I probably will try to not go below 1/4 in though. That is why I like the screen the commercial screen tops are made from.
>>
>>I'm still open to any reasonable online suppliers people have, though. That would be ideal.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephala (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

OK. So here is my main question now: is there any kind of mesh I CAN'T use? I am making this cage out of wood, and it will not really be often exposed to the elements. I am looking for coated mesh but if I can't find any, is there any mesh that will be harmful to my reptiles is I use? Thanks.

Years ago it used to be said that any non-coated mesh was bad, but of of course many aquaria lids were non-coated so go figure. I guess the thought was that when screen was used on the sides animals were more likely to come in contact with it.

The other big concern is having too small of a mesh that lizards can get their nails caught in which can cause problems. I actually think this is a bigger deal. And as said previously, a larger mesh lets in more light anyways.

Any you want a screen that is puncture resistant and durable to keep your animals secure.

You might post over on the Chameleon forum and see if they have any recommendations for online retailers.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephala (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback