Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 1.1 juvie arg. tegus... When i got them they lived in a huge web bag/cage disaster, and often got toes stuck and broken in it. As a result, both are missing some claws/toes. Doing well now, and are outgrowing their 75 gallon aquarium. I live in an apartment, and to save space am considering building a cage 5 to 6 feet long, 3-4 feet wide, and about 6 and a half feet tall. Yes, I know perfectly well they are not arboreal- my plan is to build several raised inclines, ramps almost, going up to an additional 1-3 levels, and put burrowing areas and hides through out. I would make sure to make sure they could not possibly fall off the ramps... Does this sound like a good idea to you all?? Any suggestions?
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1.1 argentine b/w tegus
1.0 anery corn
0.1 western hog
0.1 leopard gecko
1.1 blue headed tree agama
0.0.1 ball python
0.0.1 western fox
And always looking for more!!

Check out several posts below. Look at ciliatus's design. It is similar to what you describe. I am in a similar situation as you, and I will probably make something like you describe. I thought about doing a 3 story with the bottom being a running water pond. I just think that would look cool. Also, I plan on buying one of those barricades they use for small children and barring off the room he is in. I will build a ramp from the cage and just let him have that whole room to himself. He is too small to roam the whole place, he might get stuck or something. The point is, if you are crammed for space but have an area you can kinda seal off for them, you can skimp on the cage size a little and just make sure to provide heat and burrowing space. Hope this helps.
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-Bill

1.0.0 Albino California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.0.1 Axolotl Salamander
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

BoidsNTegus@insightbb.com

My roommates would have my hide if i allowed Annie and Lagarto to roam... and the place i live at now has big vents for forced air heat all over that they could easily crawl into. Someday when I have my own place and they are bigger it won't be a problem... A suggestion for you though- If you want a big pond type thing, go to a hardware store and pick up a big black plastic cement mixing tub. A friend of mine uses one for his Burm and redtail, works great!!
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1.1 argentine b/w tegus
1.0 anery corn
0.1 western hog
0.1 leopard gecko
1.1 blue headed tree agama
0.0.1 ball python
0.0.1 western fox
And always looking for more!!

I wouldn't go shorter than six feet on the length, especially if your tegus aren't allowed to roam. Remember these guys can get around 4-1/2 feet long. My 9-month-old B&W is in a 6-foot-cage right now, and I can already see that I'm going to have to build him a longer cage very soon. I'm thinking about doing a multi-level one, too.

i will be moving soon, and they will have roaming rights. Where i live now, it's simply not safe for them to do so. But yeah, 6 feet is what i'm thinking...at least. I also need to make sure i build something that can easily be taken apart should I move... I think instead of nails i will use bolts, washers and wingnuts....
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1.1 argentine b/w tegus
1.0 anery corn
0.1 western hog
0.1 leopard gecko
1.1 blue headed tree agama
0.0.1 ball python
0.0.1 western fox
And always looking for more!!

hi, dont worry about them falling from the ramps, they wont, unless they want to.

the main problem i got now is, that i thought it was smart to leave some more space from the 2nd floor-board towards the glass, so if she starts to dig, the substrate can fall down and
wont fall out of the cage when i open it.

well she now uses it as a shortcut to the 1st floor, causing me headache every time i hear her impact on the ground.

so i wouldnt do that anymore.

if you make 3 floors and every floor is only 2 ft high, also make sure they cant get to the lights.

if you plan on giving them the possiblity to soak in water, better try to seal that bottom very good there (with some artificial resin (epoxy resin)).

have fun

ingo

Your tread on the ramp intrigues me. What is it made of and how did you make it? Does your tegu ever get caught in it? I really like your design and wondered what you used to make the ramp not slippery.

Leslie

hi, over here its called planting net. its actually used if you want to give plants grip on hills.
you get it in every "home depot" over here. she never got caught in it until now, hope it stays that way.

have you ever thought about a cage that your bed rests on? youd really be conserving a lot of space. i was thinking about doin this if i ever needed the tegus room for kids. hope this helped a little, justin