Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I love the idea of odatriad's new tree monitor breeding cage, but I am wondering if this is truly the best way to set up tree monitors to breed.

I like the self cleaning aspect of being able to "flush" the cage clean, but I am wondering whether that much humidity, all the time is necessary or even good for the tree monitors. With all that moisture all the time, I would be a bit worried about bacterial growth.

Maybe the constant flushing clean of the cage outweighs the alternative of having to clean turds all the time.

Any thoughts?

I never said that this was the best option, as I'm sure many different setups will work. I find this setup to work with my individuals, more so than with a substrate bottom, which went virtually unused, expect for falling feces. My cages are not sealed up 100%, as that would not allow me to keep a range of humidities from 70-95%, depending on my current rain cycles. However, with no substrate, there will be less places for bacteria to grow, especially once I give everything a spray down with novalsan, and then wash it down the drain. I think you would run into a greater problem of bacteria growth in a cage, with organic matter as a substrate, ie, leaves, top soil, mulch, etc.. Bacteria needs some type of medium to grow on.. Without a substrate, it is very unlikely that this could become a great concern. Perhaps if the water at the bottom went unchanged for days/weeks, but I flush the water out every day. So no worries there..

I like how it works, others may not, and like I said, this is by no means the best way to do things, just the method I am currently experimenting with, and seeing decent results with.

Cheers, I'm currently uploading some more pics of tonight's progress, I'll try to get them up before I go to bed...

Take care,

bob
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TheOdatriad

here's some pics... more to come...
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TheOdatriad

Hi, I was wondering how well the tile board you mentioned holds up? I was thinking about trying it out but i wondered how long it would last in humid conditions. also do their nails scratch through the water proof coating?

Thanks,
Steve

Hey Steve,

That's a good question you bring up. I am currently/have been using the plain, white tileboard in all of my tree monitor enclosures, as well as with my larger togian water monitor cages. So far, they are holding up very well, as their claws have not done any damage to it at all. Perhaps a larger species may be able to gouge out notches/scatches in it, but the smaller animals that I keep are unable to affect it.

As far as water/humidity goes, it is holding up great. Just make sure that all your edges/corners are sealed thoroughly.

I really think that this is a great alternative to some of the conventional type setups, for certain species.

Best of luck with whatever you choose, cheers,

bob
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TheOdatriad

n/p
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TheOdatriad

Cool, thanks I am thinking of using it for a new enclosure for peach throats, so it sounds like it will work well.

Steve

Hi Bob,

This is the same way I kept my V. jobiensis, as they too are/were highly aquatic (more-so than most people realize) and behave as an arboreal tree varanid as well = as they are very early risers, are sedentary for most of their day, and feed alot on aquatic fauna much as V. olivaceus does too...so I would merely put crayfish and crabs and alike rodents now and then into their water hole....and boom = they got a bath, a lunch, and exercise!

Cheers,
mbayless

Are you building this setup now or do you already have it built?

Just wondering cause you said it is working good for you, how long have you had them setup this way, and what good has come of it?

I am curious to see how many differences you notice and the pros and cons comparison of both ways.

I have never had a problem with bacteria within my cages unless I seal them and soak them daily. But soaking the cage makes a wet cage not a humid cage so no need for that.

Hello
In all of the years I have been using a resivoir bottom (about 10), with several species including Prasinus, Beccari, Macreai, Jobiensis and others as well.
I have never had any type of bacterial infections in my Monitors.
It's a good system!
Mike

Mike's Monitors!

Hey Mike,

Long time now see. How are things with you? Do you still have your similis? Good to see you occasionally 'lurk' on the forums, and are still around. Take care, have a great day, thanks for the input.

I really like this setup as well, as I mentioned in a previous post, without having a substrate, there is nowhere for bacteria to grow, making it one of the cleanest systems out there, in my opinion...

Take care Mike,

bob

PS. do you happen to have any other pics of that pras x beccari you hatched out? other than the two small pics you have on your site? cheers mate..
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TheOdatriad