Reptile & Amphibian Forums

to build an outdoor cage =) i want to build it just like yours with the 3 seperate compartments with privacy dividers between each dragon...how are your dragons enjoying it? I was outside today weeding the lawn with the kids on leashes and just thought ya know, this is rediculous, they would have such a great time spending the sunny SoCal summer days outside in their own little enclosures.....what are the dimensions of yours? being that they would be temp cages i was thinking 6ft Length X 3ft wide X 2 ft tall, that would give each of them a 2x3x2 space each..

Those are the dimensions we used. The dragons seem to really enjoy it, and I am happy in knowing that they are really getting the UVB they need, instead of wondering if my bulbs are putting out enough.
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TheClassyLizard

i think my guys will really enjoy it, i do take them out daily but i would love for them to get out for hours not just 30or 40 mins...its so nice here.. the sun is hot and the shade is nice and cool and ocean breezy.. too nice to be stuck inside

I just bought 50 gallon rubbermaid bins ($15 each from home depot), furnished them with driftwood and put bird screen over the top. Not the prettiest but they work well and the dragons can't rub their noses on any screen.

Peter

Does the plastic make it hotter inside the tub? I've always heard not to put your dragon outside in plastic because it will get too hot but if your method works, that is a wonderful idea and I would want to try it!

I have been using a similiar type rubbermaid containter that has clear sides and is more wide than long. Anyway, how so you put that wire mesh on? Just lay it lose on top or do you tie it down? Right now i just leave the lid off and lean it at one end of the tub to shade part of the inside.

No, the plastic does not make it hotter inside because the tops are completely open. If there was more of a closed top it would have a "greenhouse affect" and make the cages hotter.

I just have the bird mesh draped over at the moment. I'm going to section off a portion of the yard and put it up about 3 feet high with posts. The point of the bird mesh is for hawks, not to keep the reptiles in. The sides are large enough that they can't jump out. With this set up no shade is needed because the sides are high enough that a portion of the tank is always shaded. Also, I set up flat pieces of wood inside that they can hide under if they feel scared/too hot.

So far it has worked wonderfully. I have found it's best to only keep adults and large subadults outside as the younger dragons are more stressed by the move.

Peter

Peter

Thanks for the prompt reply. Haven't seen any hawks in the area of my home but that doesn't mean there aren't any. With trees in my backyard fronting a small lake, hawks could be around. Even if there aren't any hawks, there are certainly plenty of scavenger birds who would probably not hesitate to try bearded dragon.

I will most likely use regular aluminum screen for a top as I am more concerned with fireflies...haven't seen any lately but I don't want to risk one getting into the tank while I am not looking or even if I am looking...Fireflies are not the best fliers and could suddenly drop out of the air into the tank and get eaten.

Yeah, fireflys aren't a problem here in California. Because of that I chose the larger holes because even screen will filter out some UV. Post some pictures of your setup when your done!

Peter