Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

I am interested in getting opinions from keepers/breeders/hobbyists on what is YOUR favorite enclosure for your monitors. I fully understand that a suitable cage for a Beccari and a Suitable cage for a flavi pair are no where similar. So I want to get opinions for both...(Terrestrial monitors, as well as Arboreal high humidity species.)

For the terrestrial keepers, have you found a cage that you can use on the market that provides enough depth for your substrate for your breeding monitors. Or are custom made enclosures/home made enclosures and horse troughs the most suitable? Besides feed stores where do you get troughs?

Arboreal keepers, same questions? Are there any suitable cages on the market that you have found to use to breed your Prasinus, Becarri, Rudicollis etc.. in?

I am thinking about building my own enclosures for my animals. Due to the fact that I can build twice as large of an enclosure out of plastic, for about the same price as a retail horse trough. *(Maybe there is a huge mark up on horse troughs in Southern California?) I just want to get the opinions of everyone out there, add it to what I think...and maybe come up with the best solution? Maybe not though.. Thanks for your input.

Thanks for your time,
Jordan

hi jordan, are you the same guy who is buying our argus pair?

i now use horse troughs for a few animals. we use them for our baby gator pair and used them successfully with our kimberlys. although now the kimberlys are in my house in more of a "show" cage that i am enjoy looking at.

we have also used them this year for raising up our gouldi cross and argus.

they seem to have the ability (considering the top you put on) to hold humidity and allow deeper amounts of substrate.

thats my experience,

andrew
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Varanus Creations

Hey Andrew,

Yes, that is me.

I too have used the troughs in the past. There were definite pro's & definite con's. I have a pair of 6'ers for the Argus to be in until the cage's are done. Although I honestly can't decide which way to go.

For about $200 ( $198 )

I can build an 8' long 4' wide 4' tall cage for them. Out of plastic sheeting (stuff like the Moonstruck cages are made out of.) With a closeable/lockable lid, pancake box, uv bulbs/fixture & ballast. I can easily put about 18" of dirt in there and have the cage open from the top. With the lighting fixtures attached to the lid. I am just making sure this is my best option. Also a benefit I see to this, is that the although the argus will be in the snake room, whenever i'm in there they can't see me... eliminating some stress on the animals. Especially if my mastiffs barge in there while i'm cleaning and I have to herd them out.. lol

take care,
Jordan

"although the argus will be in the snake room" need not be there. Sorry need to remember to proof read!

Jordan

They will be fine in your care Jordan. I think you will do well.

sounds good thus far,

andrew
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Varanus Creations