Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How high does a cage have to be to house a MHD? I know they climb and like being on tall pearches, i have a 55gallon that is 48long x 12deep x 18high, is this high enough to house a MHD? I have 2 branches running from corner of tank to the oppsite corner that i think would be good for an MHD to perch on.

All of my dragons prefer vertical perches rather than horizontal ones. If you move forward with the 55, I recommend using a number of up and down perches as well, and using a generous amount of either silk, or real plants. If you look through the forum you will see a wide variety of enclosures.

Below is a link that I provided for another forum member that shows a great example of how a 'long' aquarium can be modified for height as well. If you know anyone handy, making such an addition shouldn't be too difficult.
Dragon_Enclosure
The enclosure shown is for water dragons, but the same design would work nicely for MHD's as well.

Don M.

18" High isn't high enough for their liking. My cage is about 30-36" high and I'm thinking about getting an extension for the top part to make it about another 12" higher.

I personally think your MHD will like the cage HIGHER rather than LONGER. I haven't really noticed my MHD running around the cage, all she does is climb to the highest branch on her basking side, and climbs to the highest branch over her water side when she wants to cool down. Obviously she goes down for water, eating, and recently digging, but other than those reasons, your MHD shouldn't be on the ground.

Maybe make an extension for the top part of the cage, or I think you can even purchase them if your cage is a standard size cage.

-Derek

Thank you i think i might try and construct an extension.

If you are near Philly/Jersey area, and you make a good extension, I need one too

I use a 55, exactly like you have, I have Stones in the bottom, (and if I was smart I would have put a layer of Plyfil over the stones as a filter) then I have a layer of soil I have planted my plants in.
The fogger system I have keeps the soil moist, and I water it well every week or two
I have a syphon system (MacGyvered together) to drain out any extra
I remove dead leaves the day before it "Rains" and I clean Poop as I see it
I feed dusted crickets after a rain, and Nightcrawlers in a dish daily

Yes I have loose feeder Cricks in the tank, but I have never seen them munching on the animals since I left them their own foods

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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*

Thanks for the pic and info, i Think i am still going to try and make an expansion but only if i can make some extra money. I also have a fogger system (arent they fun ) and rocks on the bottom of my tank with coconut husk on top of it, i whish i had a draining system but i dont want to drill a hole in my tank. Well, looks like ive decided on a buying an MHD soon. Thanks for the help guys.

Sounds like you got it taken care of there!

I have found that bed-a-beast is a great substrate for many reasons. I use about 4" of bed-a-beast spread through out the cage, and I don't every have to drain the cage of water. You just need to be careful of getting to much water out of the bowls/foggers etc.

I have a large water bowl with a bubbler setup inside of it to immitate moving water. Then I have a fogger setup in a bowl about 10" above the water bowl thats on the substrate. This seems to work much better because then the entire cage gets foggy. With the fog alone it keeps the bed-a-beast nice and moist, but not soggy.

Good luck with your new MHD purchase, and keeps us updated.

I have Siphons, not drilled holes
I use gravity and tubes
but sounds like a plan
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*