Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have recently been looking into an outdoor enclosure for an Argus monitor. I live in Orlando, FL so temperature and humidity are about on par. I do have a few questions however.

Has anyone ever built an outdoor enclosure or know of someone that has?

Also, during those 3 or 4 months where it gets cold, do you bring him inside or do something else? I have heard that people build a "heat box" for there lizards overnight with a heat pad and or a heat lamp inside.

The sides would be made of high grade chicken wire, would he be ok in storms and such like the afternoon thunderstorms?

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks

Ive never built one myself but ive seen a couple on youtube. I dunno if i would use chicken wire though.. I would be really leary about the wire because maybe of nose rubing etc..

sorry cant be of more help.

Justin.

I don't think chicken wire will hold a argus. It has to be made of a material strong enough to keep aggressive dogs out. Chicken wire doesn't make the grade....not by a long shot.

ALL YOU NEED IS A HEATED BOX AND NOT MUCH AT THAT. ABSOLUTELY YOU CAN NOT USE CHICKEN WIRE BUT I" X 2" WELDED WIRE IS GOOD. CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE AND THE FACILITY SECTION FOR IDEAS...THANKS
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Tom how about an update on your tree's? Perhaps a new thread hint hint hehehehe.

Cheers,
Mike.

No problem getting them to lay but a big problem is A. finding the eggs before they're destroyed or eaten by the others. So far I've had 3 clutches. It's a problem I WILL solve over time....Thanks
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Not a big deal, once you get it down...its down. Let us know when you have a clutch cooking.

Cheers,
Mike.

I spent two years trying to figure this out. I have a pair of water monitors I wanted to get outside. Not many people house monitors outside. It seems there are two strategies: A pit or a cage. If you can make the walls of a pit smooth enough, you don't need to top it off. I pondered building a wire pen and covering the top of the walls with metal sheeting on the inside. I also looked into industrial equipment cages. Definately strong enough and the price was not so bad. But, I worried about rust. I also considered using 1/2 by 3 inch aviary wire. This is available from several sources, and someone posted a pic here of their Argus in such a cage in CA. Doors are more the issue. I finally decided on a concrete slab with a custom cage on top. I ordered the cage from L bar M in CA. If you look on the Web, there are a few places building cages for exotics like monkeys and exotic cats. They are shipped as panels and you bolt them together.

When my drawn out research was done, I realized there were no good options that would not set you back about $2K. The cage I got is 12 by 12 by 6 and has two compartments for around that.

The slab was poured this morning, and the cage should arrive this week. Once the cage is set up and the lizards are in place I will post pics. If the lizards break out and terrorize the neighborhood, you'll see me on the news.
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Campti Sam

>>The sides would be made of high grade chicken wire, would he
>>be ok in storms and such like the afternoon thunderstorms?

I've had big adult male arguses that could dig through thick gauge hardware cloth. Chicken wire is probably not much more difficult for one to rip through. It would take some time and work for the lizard, but arguses are very active, determined, and love to dig.

Luke

I remember 20 years ago I used to keep alot of turtles and tortoises in outdoor pens. I had a hard enough time keeping them contained, I couldn't imagine trying to hold a 4 foot monitor in a outdoor pen. We had problems with racoons and.... theives on a few occasions then I just got burned out and kept them inside after that.