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I am preparing to build a new enclosure for my arg bw tegu, and I thought I would take a survey to try to learn from everyone's opinions and experience. I would to thank everyone in advance for their help.

1) Cage dimensions (starting at the top of the substrate, do not count substrate depth)
2) Temps (Low, High, Ambient, Basking Surface Temp)
3) Relative humidity
4) Do args really need a water containier big enough to soak in?
5) Is there need to prevent them from touching a high temp heat source such as a floodlight by using wire mesh, etc?
6) Is there any type of wood finishes/sealers/stainer that should not be used, either outside or inside the enclosure?
7) Is there anything unsafe about wire mesh concerning tegus?
8) Total surface area of ventilation

Again, thanks to everyone who participates in this survey.

Bill

1) Cage dimensions (starting at the top of the substrate, do not count substrate depth)
6.5'L x 3.5'W x 4'H
2) Temps (Low, High, Ambient, Basking Surface Temp)
Ambient air temperature on the warm side stays around 90 with two basking spots at different levels that reach 110 and 120. The cooler side of the tank stays at around 80.
3) Relative humidity
Right around 70% in between mistings, higher when I'm misting the substrate.
4) Do args really need a water containier big enough to soak in?
Don't have an aregentine, one colombian and one blue, but they both get weekly soaks in the tub and they enjoy that. For their enclosures they get dog water bowls that get changed daily.
5) Is there need to prevent them from touching a high temp heat source such as a floodlight by using wire mesh, etc?
If the lamps aren't where they can climb up wiring or prop themselves up against something and therefore touch the heat source, not necessarily necessary.
6) Is there any type of wood finishes/sealers/stainer that should not be used, either outside or inside the enclosure?
Didn't use any wood sealers. Used a pond liner to cover the area where the substrate would go.
7) Is there anything unsafe about wire mesh concerning tegus?
8) Total surface area of ventilation
Front of enclosure is mesh, the rest of the cage is completely enclosed.

Lindsay

1) Cage dimensions (starting at the top of the substrate, do not count substrate depth)
7.5'wide, 2.5'deep, 2.5'high (plus substrate, add 10"

2) Temps (Low, High, Ambient, Basking Surface Temp)
75 at the low, 110 to 120 basking surface.

3) Relative humidity
ranges from 40 to 70 percent.

4) Do args really need a water containier big enough to soak in?
Ours have a pool, and don't use it, but we soak them in the tub.

5) Is there need to prevent them from touching a high temp heat source such as a floodlight by using wire mesh, etc?
Yes - if they can reach it, they will- and they BURN!!!

6) Is there any type of wood finishes/sealers/stainer that should not be used, either outside or inside the enclosure?
As long as you allow enough drying time to vent the vapors, most are OK. I used a combo of water borne lacquer, and acrylic marine resin.

7) Is there anything unsafe about wire mesh concerning tegus?
They have been known to rub it and irritate their snout. Also, there is the chance of claws becoming entangled.

8) Total surface area of ventilation
There is ventilation around the sliding glass doors, in addtion to opening them at least once or twice a day. Aside from that, I put in one 4" round vent above the basking spot. This forces hot air out, drawing fresh in around the doors, and also makes it easier to maintain humidity than it would be with large mesh areas.

These are my opinions based only on personal research and experience - I am not the expert. I'll leave that to others. Here's the little thing I put together for our 2 - an Arg. Red, and Columbian Blue.

Hope this helps.