Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a 2-year old male Argentine B&W who's already 4' long and still growing. It's time to build that outside enclosure! A couple of questions (I built his indoor cage, but have never one outdoors):

1. How deep can a tegu dig? I was thinking about building a frame out of treated lumber and wrapping it with plastic-coated hardware cloth (like his present indoor cage), but leaving the bottom open for drainage, yet allowing him some digging room (esp. for hibernation next winter). If I go with 5' high sides, could I sink 2' of that in the ground and be confident he wouldn't dig that deep? He's always been inquisitive and terribly strong, so I want to be sure about this.

2. What would the minimum dimensions be? I've got a nice afternoon sunny spot that's about 7'x7' (approx. 50 square feet).

3. Another option: we have an interior courtyard, about 40' x 40', with wood siding (T-111) and three resident box turtles. The walls are 15-20' high. Is he capable of climbing out of that and terrorizing our neighbors (not good!)? Would he try to nibble the box turtles, or would they get along peacefully?

Thanks for your ideas!

Jonathan in southern Louisiana.

My outdoor pens are made from PVC horse paddock fencing. I know they say it's safe but I dont trust PT wood because of the arsnic. Additionally due to the humidity it will not last as long as PVC.

Each pen is 8'x 8'x 3' and has hardware cloth and chicken wire tops. The bottoms have weed block, then 1/2" hardware cloth that is wrapped around to the outside and screwed down. This prevents them from digging out. It also keeps rats in if you feed live (I don't). Each pen has 20 bags of mulch to start. That gives them about a foot. As it compacts I ad more during the course of the year.

I have yet to have any of my tegus come close to clearing the 3'wall. The reason I put the wire around the top was A)they will be used as baby pens too and I need to keep birds of prey out and B)my dogs, neighborhood cats, opposoms and the like may pose a problem.

7'x7' Is plenty big even for two.
Just remember if they can see out, they will want to get out so keep anything at their eye level and slightly above a solid.

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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

One question. With the wire sides and top, how do yet into the pens for cleaning, etc. While I will probably raise my little ones indoors, I do want to make them an outdoor pen for sunning and exercise. I love your setup, and may design mine around it.

Leslie

I have cut holes in the wire and used heavey guage plastic netting (for outdoor use) that opens like a tent flap. (Still need to attach the weight to the bottom to keep it closed.) I am also going to be cutting holes for food bowls to go in and out without actually going in the pens.

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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

Holy crap, awsome pens, AWSOME!!!!!

Hi,

I have to say, those pens are so awesome...we are planning to move to a place with a lot of land, and so far I am definitly going with the same kind of idea that you have there.

Leyla x

If you want any more info about them and their construction, give me a shout.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

I contain my tegus outdoors by lining the inside of the 2' high chicken wire fence that is buried 1' deep to prevent digging escapes. I carefully line the tegu's side of the fence with clear plastic roofing material, and I have yet to lose one. As long as they can't jump on something next to the 2' fence or scale a rough board in a corner, they don't seem to be able to get out, and they do try. You have to use good craftsmanship, and really make tight corners.

I think you should consider tegu proofing your 40' by 40' courtyard with something like the clear plastic roofing. most people can easily step over the 2' fence that contains them. It is so much fun to be able to actually go into their world and hang out, sit there and watch them.

I will try to send a pic-