Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm building a large monitor enclosure and I'd like to hear any ideas. I am building it out of PVC and plexiglass. I would like it to be 10 ft long X 4 ft deep X 6 ft high. It will be a multi-level tank with a ramp connecting the first level with the second. There will be a large basking area on the upper level and a large pool on the lower level with a branch over the water under a second large basking area. The tank will eventually be used to house 2 sub-adult Mertens water monitors. The pool will be about 100-150 gallons and have a drain in it for ease of cleaning.

Questions:
1) How should I incorporate a nest box? Should I make it something built into the enclosure or a seperate box I place into the enclosure?

2) Please give me input into things I haven't considered.

Looking to complete this project in the next 8 to 12 weeks.

>>1) How should I incorporate a nest box? Should I make it
>>something built into the enclosure or a seperate box I
>>place into the enclosure?

Rather than a nest box, try making a significant amount of the area of the enclosure full of diggable dirt some 1 to 2 feet deep. Have temperature and humidity gradients within the dirt to allow the females to nest where the conditions are best for egg survival.

Luke

I was going to incorporate a humidifier or two to keep the humidity up and the plan was up to 18 inches of soil. My only concern is 18 inches of soil times 10x4 ft of floorspace is a lot of searching for eggs but well worth the effort.

1) How should I incorporate a nest box? Should I make it
>>something built into the enclosure or a seperate box I
>>place into the enclosure?

Rather than a nest box, try making a significant amount of the area of the enclosure full of diggable dirt some 1 to 2 feet deep. Have temperature and humidity gradients within the dirt to allow the females to nest where the conditions are best for egg survival.

Luke

I would build a seperate nest box connected with a flexable PVC pipe only because you can get away with a smaller area in a more controled envirment. Regaurdless of the cages condition their will always be an acceptable place for a gravid female to lay her eggs in. Keeping the temps about the same temp you would incubate any potential eggs in would be Ideal. The idea Luke has is good but requires more space,dirt which is good for the monitor but more maitenence for the keeper. Very hard almost impossible to offer the choices they have in the wild so narrowing it down to what they need and look for keeps it all in perspective and do able. After keeping Mexican beaded lizards for 12 years and trying many things lottsa dirt is not my bag anymore and good results can be achieved with less dirt.
Bob