Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Folks:

I am a longtime lurker who rarely posts, but I enjoy reading about your experiences with chucks. I have been keeping desert lizards, particularly chucks, Desert Igs, and crotaphytus for over 30 years.

I currently have 1.1 Angel Island chucks (S. Hispidus) that I got from Brian J as yearlings in the fall of '99. They are awesome lizards, much more personable than bearded dragons, and incredibly easy to keep. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get them to breed, and have had some conversations with Tom and "Reptoman" about different strategies over the past couple of years. After reading the paper by Case on Insular chucks I realized that I was keeping my AIs too hot, since Case finds that hispidus are active at cooler temps than are obesus (ater). I also have thought that my cage for my AIs was too small, measuring 5wx2dx2h.
While I built my own cages in the past, with 2 twin toddlers I don't have the time to build something new. I would like to have a cage measuring 8x3x3. Has anyone purchased a cage that large? It looks like my two main commercial options are Cages by Design and JWorlds. I am concerned that the Cages by Design cages will not be sturdy enough and the laminate paneling will not look too hot. JWorlds cages look awesome, but are expensive. If you have any feedback on these products or suggestions for alternatives, I would appreciate it.

Thanks for your help!

Bart

Don't know how sturdy these habitats are but I've been looking into them

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_Supplies/Product/Big_Apple_Herp_Acrylic_Cages_100095.html

Bart these links might help--Sun Inside and others will build custom cages. Bophile is said to have a good reputation and
hopefully you'll find something that will work. You might coinsider calling your local cabnit makers in the area and get a quote as well, they'll build and deliver............ALso included Martin Cages but they are all wire.

http://www.boaphileplastics.com/cages.html
http://www.customcages.com/
http://www.environments-plus.com/
http://www.cheapcages.com/page2.html
http://www.martinscages.com/products/cages/reptile/
http://www.uvheat.com/Sun_Inside.htm
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Phrynosoma.com

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