Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking to get a nile monitor sometime in the relative near future. I look around my house and there is no space to put a cage that will accommodate the animal as it grows. So unless I want to sleep on top of a cage (hmmm..) my only other option is in the backyard. My question is how do Reptiles (expecially the nile) do outdoors? Are they more likely to get sick or stressed? I live in Florida so the temperature is about 85°F in the summer and can drop to 40°F in the winter. Would Heat lamps be enough to keep it warm in the winter or would I have to bring it inside?
Thanks for reading

Contact Robert Faust here http://www.varanidinterests.com/
He's a good guy, and keeps his niles, as well as his albgs outside all year. I keep my albigs outside in the summer, but bring them in starting in fall.
You're going to have to build him a heated, insulated hide box within his enclosure if you plan on keeping him outside all year.
In general I would recommend against this if you don't have much experience, but it can be done.

Cheers
Jim

Yes outdoor cages are fine. I live in Florida too, have kept them outside for years. When temps drop I use heavy tarps and heat lights with temp drop back ups.Keep the substrate atleast 3ft deep. Works good!
Good Luck, Robert