Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok, one note, this cage doesn't exist anywhere but my brain yet, and I don't have a BT yet, either. i want to make sure this would be a good adult cage before i even think of buying one.

The overall dimensions are 5'x9'x6', with a basking platform that's 5'x4', located 3' above the cage floor, with either a nice big log for access to it, or a ramp/ladder thing made of 2"x4"s and 4"x4"s. I'm also intending to be able disassemblable into flat panels, bolted together in the final form, but that's just an issue of design. i want to be sure the lizard will like this, and it will be adequate for an adult male BT.

I figure it can't be *too* bad, since it totals 65 sq feet, and Pro-exotic's 10' diameter cages would be 78.5 sq ft. (radius of 5 ft, sqared, times 3.14159256).

so, thoughts? suggestions? criticism?

Mokele

Sounds fine, It is nice to hear of someone approaching the future purchase of a monitor correctly (Thinking it out, and having adult size caging prior to purchase) I commend you, for doing it right.
Bawaa Herps

I think a basic cage, without the shelf would be much better. Also, I would include the ability to hold lots of dirt to burrow into.

You should have a strong enough top to hang logs or shelfs from chains or cables. The problem with building a shelf in, is you do not have the ability to change the cage around. I know I cannot predict what each monitor likes to do. So I build cages that allow me to adapt to the monitor. Good luck F

ahh, perhaps i should have specified more.

firstly, i do plan on having it built to include a layer of dirt, i was just more curious about "will the dimensions be big enough?"

secondly, the shelf will not actually be affixed to the cage structure. think of it like a big, super-heavy-duty table inside the cage. also, the way i'm designing it, for colapsability, will allow me to easily add to the dimensions of the cage, should i need to.

some questions, though...

1) where do you *get* logs big enough to support a full-grown BT? i'm in a city, so i can't exactly get them from the back yard, and i lack a pickup truck or van.

2) I was under the impression that Blackthroats were predominantly terrestrial, and guessed they wouldn't feel very comfortable on a log that's just dangling from chains. am i mistaken? i know they do climb, but i didn't think they climbed that much.

Mokele

That is what I used to think also, given terrestrial and elevated basking spots(at same temps)My experiance is that BT, WT and Crosses will in fact use and seem to spend time in both types of basking areas. Any body else seen this?
Bawaa Herps

A couple things, first its a cage and nothing you can do will make it aboreal, or subterrainian, or terrestrial. You can make it look that way for your benefit, But I get the feeling a monitors knows its not underground or up high in a tree or outside on the ground.

Also, Albigs can spend lots of time in trees, I think during the rainy season, being up in a tree has its benefits.

About how you obtain your cage furniture, thats your problem. I also get the feeling there are lots of dead trees and limbs in cities.

About the methods you use or the materials you use, thats up to you and whats availible to you. About the size, thats also up to you and the space you have, The bigger the better, to a point.

My first responce to you was about what I think is the most important elements of a cage. The ability to change the cage around, the ability to hold deep substrate, and let me add, easy access. The rest is really common knowledge and personal preference. Cheers F

Is the most notorious bird predator. They lie in ambush by a nest until the parents return and consume the eggs or chicks after the parents. My big cross likes to climb trees, as well as my experience being that they prefer birds to mice given the choice. Suposedly they are found almost everywhere there is a bird nest in trees, which could make bird watching a brief event.

Hi Svhar,

...and consequently, Birds of Prey, like the Martial Eagle or Battler Eagle prey on V. albigularis, upto 50% of their diet is V. albigularis, usually adults. I have a photograph of a martial eagle carrying a 6 footer aloft to be ripped to pieces at the nest, probably by fleglings; and of a Tawny Eagle feeding a nile monitor to its fleglings....eat or be eaten...Law of the Bush!
I will try to find out which birds they seem partial to stay near if you like??

Cheers,
mbayless

My favorite animals. Thanks Mark
Shawn