Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I was wondering if someone could give me some ideas or plans on building an outdoor enclosure for a chuck. Also, can they be kept outside at night if the temperatures don't go too low? What happens if there is a thunderstorm during the day when I am not there?

Thanks,

Casey

Here is Gus Rentfro's site that gave me lots of inspiration for my cage design. I used his basic idea and added a bit here and there, but this setup works lovely.

I leave my lizards out day and night. I don't start doing this until I know the temps won't dip below 45 F. Seems cold, but that's early spring in the desert too. I have pretty good drainage in my pen too, so I don't worry about flooding, even in Thunderstorms. The entire perimeter is fulled with 3/4 gravel which all the walls set it...I also have some burried chunks of concrete pieces that have been topped off with soil on the inside of my pen...the water absorbs pretty quickly. Lots of plants, rocks, hides, and it is complets. My I left homet his morning, my adult male collared was out basking, as it was already 72 and sunny. Normally, my chucks are the early risers.
I always toss in dandelion flowers for the chucks, and also have 2 or 3 growing in the pen for the greenery. I have a few different plants growing in there, and have seen the chucks eating on them...different types of sedum for ground cover. The chucks eat those and the dandelion greens. I also have coreopsis in there, and some basil (I think). I only supplement with the flowers. I should probably supplement them more, but they are growing fine and look great out there.

Was the nice attributes to the pen also, is the fact that you can take so many pictures that appear to be from the lizard's natural settings.

Have fun, and keep us posted on your design! See the link below the picture for Gus's design page!!!

John Eddington

Click here for Gus's link!

I really appreciate all of the information that you gave me. I can't wait to build this enclosure. I have hime outside in this screen enclosure with branches, but it is nothing like building a real life house for him. I only take him out in that cage when I am home, otherwise he is inside.

Thanks again.

Casey

I like seeing more people that build cages outside for their animals...it is so enjoyable to be able to see them in a somewhat natural environment. I love not having to prepare a meal every day for them, and it gives me some pleasure knowing they are getting the benefits of daily sun, and a changing environment.

Where are you located at? I also have a large outdoor enclosure but since I live in SE Texas-- I leave em out year round. LOTS of work up front but well worth it in the long run. Make sure you check water drainage, soil types, sun exposure ( summer & winter) etc.
My pen gives me a chance to go on vacation every day I am home!

dvl

I am located in Rhode Island. I can put up an enclosure permanately, but the chuck will have to come in sometime during September and go back out in May. I wish I did live where it was always warm because I have Leopard Tortoises too that love the outdoors.

Hey Casey, I'm using Gus's plans also. I built my enclosure probably about a month to 1.5 months ago. Freakin' awsome. I streached bird netting over the top to prevent hawks/birds from getting a free meal. I've planted lots of cacti, sage, and other native plants in it.... I also burried 2 pve drainage pipes to help the area stay dry. THE CHUCKS LOVE IT!

This past week has given us alot of rain and thunderstorms.... during these times the chucks just hide out in their "rock outcrop"... once it warms up they come out to bask... They tend not to be very active during the cold/rainy days (just like in nature).

I live in Texas and plan on hibernating them in my garage during the winter.... I'll bring them inside if the weather throughout the year ever gets super bad.... The natural sunlight does wonders, not to mention it saves on electricity.

Good luck! There are alot of experienced "chuck"heads (if thats a word...lol) on the fourm that could probably give you alot of tips.

It costs me around $130 to build the 10'X 8' Rio Bravo (Gus's) enclosure...$90 of that was for the darn expensive plastic siding/roofing.

I have one of the "Gus Renthro" enclosures. too. Problem is, I save a SEVERE gopher problem. I laid Durock sheets under everthing. Then concrete blocks where the rockpiles were to go. Be careful with the rocks. Your chucks WILL dig under them and they will fall and crush them. I lost a gravid female like that before. Just be sure all heave objects are well supported.
BTW, I live in So Cal and my chucks are outside year 'round. It got ptery cold and wet this year. (Near record rainfall.) When it finally warmed up, they were all fat and healthy. Even the banded geckos had nice fat tails! I can't believe much better off they are than when I fussed over them every day when I used to keep them inside.