Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Need ideas for designing cages for 2 alligators (adult) and a water monitor (adult). They are not adults yet, but I want to get an early start on designing a properly built cage and whatnot. I was thinking of something along the lines of a greenhouse for the gators, but I don't know if that would be a good idea or how to go about it. Any ideas would be helpful. I have somewhat of some ideas but really don't know what is the best material to use, that is most durable and not quite as expensive. I would like to make these the most cost effective as possible but overall, price isn't too much of an issue as long as my animals get what they need and deserve. Thanks in advance to all that respond.

chris

p.s. : I would also appreciate pics if you have them as well. I love seeing other peoples cages and designs.

>>Need ideas for designing cages for 2 alligators (adult) and a water monitor (adult).

Um... I hope you don' think that you're going to keep two adult alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in a wooden box! The best "cage" is probably a shallow concrete (a.k.a. "gunite" a.k.a. "shotcrete" swimming pool surrounded by a 4-6 ft. high chain-link fence with a sturdy, locked gate. Watch "The Crocodile Hunter" for ideas...

If you want something you can build yourself, you're probably talking about a pond. More difficult to clean, but you can DIY and it will be much cheaper than a pool. Watch HGTV or buy a book on pond construction to learn how to build one. Basically, you'll need to dig a hole, cover it with a pond liner, affix the liner in place using rocks or sand or something, then fill it with water. I suspect that you'll also need some sort of heavy-duty filtration system, water plants, etc. to keep the pond from turning stagnant and rank.

Also gators dig! Key point.
Walk in room for the water monitor for inside grenhouse outside like storkel said its totally area dependent more info required at this point.

like said in the other reply the gators will need a large area and a concrete pond fenced in would probably be best.
if you do not live where the weather is warm year round, i would look into large sheds and work on converting that into the enclosure.
as far as the water monitor, it will not need as much space but still a good bit. a shed would also be a smart idea for housing, but you cuold probably convert a room or build a nice big walk in type cage. your area to build (indoor outdoor) and climate of where you live would help to provide better information.

Hello,

thank you all for replying. I understand that my alligators will need a large enclosure, I am also aware that they need a fair sized body of water as well as just as much if not more in land. I live in Ohio. It can get rather warm during the summer, but also very cold during the winter, example: Currently it is 9 degrees outside. During the summer, their housing wont' be too much of a big deal. The most important part will be a strong confinement. My question to everyone is this.....

What types of materials are easy, inexpensive if possible, and durable, that many of you have used? Ponds and so forth are easy to do, and I have built a few myself already. I already know how I will work the filtration and so forth. Just to get the record straight, I am not an amateur at care of my animals. I understand their needs. I just want something better than the basement for them. They OWN the basement. I have it currently set up perfect. The outdoor enclosure will be tricky though, because as some of you have mentioned, the climate might be a little hard to work with. I thought about a large shed of some sort as well as a greenhouse, but if I did a green house, I wasn't sure about how warm they stay inside, and how to keep them that way. Furthermore, I even thought about adding an extension onto the house. Can anyone recommend a good humidity proof paint that lasts along while?

As for the water monitor, I was thinking along the lines of allowing it tohave the basement, but I dont want to give HIM quite that much room. A small bedroomlike enclosure would be ideal. I would like it slightly elevated off of the floor so that I could install a small/shallow pond for his pleasure. What kind of wood, would be good for this use? I dont want a wood that will break down too easy and will pretty much last a lifetime. I purchased a smaller cage while he was smaller and he is about two feet away from outgrowing it. He is the main concern right now. The gators are now at the point that they are not growing quite as fast. At 6 1/2 feet they aren't growing quite like they did when they were 2ft. So I dont have to worry too much about them. I hope this helps you to better understand what I am needing info on. If someone could possibly give me a idea on some materials, or possibly an idea that they know of someone else doing, that would be great.

Thanks for all of the replies. All input is greatly appreciated.

Chris