Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I originally posted this in the caging, but was advised it might be best to post it where the Monitor people are, so here goes...
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When I used to have Dwarf Monitors back in the 90s I was able to use both Vision cages and cattle troughs for breeding. Both worked, troughs seemed to work better at least with Kimmies, but my Ackies would breed in anything it seemed.

Troughs are tried and true. But for many of us they are less desired because of space, non-frontal viewing, etc.

What I am wondering is if people who use non-troughs (plastic caging, wood, custom built, etc) can post some pictures and give advice on how specifically Dwarf Australian Monitors such as Ackies, Kimmies, Stori, Tristis, etc, can be kept using stacked/rack-like systems.

I'm contemplating both troughs and non-trough caging for the 3 groups of Ackies I'm raising now (one 1.2 trio, one hard to tell trio, and one 1.1. pair it seems), and many cage makers have said they've built stacked cages for monitor owners, but my search for images and feedback about those cages is lacking.

What I'm talking about is something like the link attached below the picture at the bottom (Split Rock Reptiles Blackheaded Python setups).

Hopefully I'm don't get the "kicking a dead horse" treatment by those of you who use troughs, and hopefully I do get some feedback from those of you using caging similar to what I'm thinking of.

I've searched the archives and current forums, but many images/videos are no longer working in the posts related to this topic.

Thanks in advance. Glad to be back into Monitors having been in Dart Frog Land for the past 10 years now.
SPLIT ROCK REPTILE BLACKHEADED PYTHON SET-UPS!!!

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Cheers,

Joe Baginski

Hi Joe, The problem is temps. Monitors of any kind require much more heat, and because they reproduce in all seasons of the year, a much wider choice of nesting situations. So stacked setups become a huge problem.

For instance with hot spots in the 150's The middle and upper cages become hard to regulate.

The reality is, all odatria will breed in any box if the temps are right and food is suitable. The problem with all varanids is nesting. This is were trough type setups are superior and stacking cages are very limiting. Cheers

FR,

Thanks Frank (I think FR is still the one and only Frank Retes)...if it is, let me just say thanks for all the help back in the 1990s...you and Eric Crider were always more than willing to listen/help with all my questions, and I think it was you guys who made my breeding of Kimmies and Ackies possible.

Secondly, is anyone "stacking" or racking galvanized troughs (i.e. is there a way to put them on shelving or something to allow for stacking)?

Thanks in advance. Still hoping for some input from people trying/who have tried non-trough setups.

- Joe
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Cheers,

Joe Baginski

Hey Joe, I think the stackable Vision style cages just present so many barriers to success, from substrate issues to temp issues to space issues.

We built a 2x4 rack to stack troughs 2 high. Inconvenient to see into the top trough (had to use a step ladder) and extremely heavy filled with soil, but it worked.

I don't see how a 12-18" high front loading cage is going to give you any long term success at all. Hatchling success? Perhaps. 1-2 year success? Perhaps? Thriving animals over the long term? Nope.
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robyn@proexotics.com

ShipYourReptiles.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

Well you guys have convinced me, plus having them custom built is too expensive for now. Troughs it is. Now hopefully I can find some already setup locally. Most likely I'll be visiting Del's Farm Supply and ordering 3 4ft. troughs, then searching for the right dirt, then coming up with a lid (any plans on how to build lids out there?)...etc, etc. Thanks for all the info and thoughtful replies.

-Joe

You can fix your viewing issue with a metal trough with a dewalt 6" circular saw and jigsaw, a metal cutting blade, some emory cloth or dremel, a drill, some nuts, bolts and washers, some sealant and some lexan or glass if careful. Cut yourself a few windows below in the trough. You may be able to see them burrow in there and/or lay eggs. Make sure if you build heavy atop the trough, if you cut big, you provide structural reinforcement, if necessary.
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