Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm getting a trio of PTS and am considering options for building a cage. I figured I'd have a glass front for visibility's sake, but for the sides I was thinking about using that black pet-resistant mesh. It's like window screens but heavier.

While this would provide for air movement, I'm concerned they might try to climb it and get their claws stuck. Anyone have experience or opinions about this?

If you use screen, your skinks nails will destroy it,and you wont be able to get your skink out of the cage is it decides to sink its nails in when you try to take it out.
Plus...how do you keep the humidity level up is it is an open air cage?
Use plywood, or some other solid sided cage. Make sure it can resist the constant humidity. And use a glass front.
The one show in this pic, is oak plywood, and 1/4" acrylic front with lots of climbing branches.
Need more info? Drop me an email.

I found that plexi-glass and bathroom tile board works great for PTS enclosures. The plexi-glass is self explanatory but the tile board, if you dont know what I mean is almost like wood paneling only it is covered in a waterproof coating that resembles tile or one smooth surface covered in the water proof coating. You can get it at Lowes or Home Depot for about 18 bucks a sheet. The plus with this material is it is super light weight and will not rot even when sprayed with water directly. It also comes in a couple different colors. I just framed out my enclosures and fastend the tile board and plexi-glass with screws. My enclosures are almost 5 years old and have not needed any maintenance except the usual cleaning and also have not showed any signs of weakning or rotting. They are also easily moved when needed. The tops is made of rubber coated wire also easily attainable at Lowes or Home depot.

Good Luck
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Eveyone Is In A Hurry To Get Nowhere Quick, Fast!!!!!!!!!!!

Screen is a bad plan, Even if it survives there nails it makes them impossible to get the little buggers out, I don’t know if I can post this link but there are pic's of some of my PTS and a 3 compartment cage I just built on this link.

http://www.reptilescanada.com/forums/showthread.php?p=37475#post37475

Devon

Thanks all for your help and recommendations. Plexi or acrylic seems like a good option. Has anyone had problems with scratching? I wonder if it might be better to use glass.

I would use glass, plastic's scratch and these guy will scratch the hell out of them.

Devon

The Plexi-glass I used does not have a scratch on it and I have seen some of my PTS scratch at it like they were trying to dig a whole through it. It is still clear as the day I bought it!!!!

Good luck!!!!!!!!
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Eveyone Is In A Hurry To Get Nowhere Quick, Fast!!!!!!!!!!!

Arkon, do you know what "flavor" of plastic you've got.

When I had my trio, the walls were whatever Cages By Design uses, and no scratches. Be aware they do have a lot of liquid urine from their food, so cleaning the bottom is important. They do have a bit of an odor from that, so beware. Neat little buggers, tho. I liked watching all 3 hanging upside down while eating.

Well, Home Depot only sells two brands of plexi glass: one ridiculously priced brand and one reasonably priced. The more expensive one is alot thicker. I went with the cheaper one and it works great. They will even cut it there for you. the brand name slips my mind at this point but next time I am there I will check and let you know!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Luck!!
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Eveyone Is In A Hurry To Get Nowhere Quick, Fast!!!!!!!!!!!

The two "brands" I've seen at Home Depot are acylic, and lexan
Lexan would be ridiculously priced. And even acylic
(plexi glass), gets expensive as it gets thicker.
There are also various grades. I've seen a chart at Home Depot, that explains what grade to use for each project.
I did'nt see reptile cage listed however. You're on your own with that one

Just for the record...Plexi-Glass is the brand name for acylic.
It is one and the same material.

Thanks all for your recommendations. I think I'll use plexi for the sides and glass for the front... that way if there is a little scratching it won't be so noticeable. I saw pieces of plexi at Home Depot. For what I need it'll run me only about $40.

To the comment about urine: I've heard this before. Has anyone tried cat litter or something that is absorbant? It seems news paper would be fine, but with all of the branches, etc.... It would get to be quite a pain replacing it if you have to move everything.

I would worry about ingestion of kitty litter or similar substance. I just use a false bottom cage and hose through it periodically to remove waste.

My two cents on the scratching of plexiglass issue - I've had my PTS in acrylic cages from MD Custom Caging for about 8 months now. They do claw it frequently (behavior I'm sure you've all seen), and I haven't found one scratch to date.

Devon - very nice set-ups.

I think I made the comment about urine. I had them on paper that was pretty absorbant. Trouble was, I had 3 of them, so when you cleaned up after one, 2 more were ready to urinate....and did. They were in a 4x4x2 Cages by Design, and I sealed the bottom. I originally wanted them for a nice exhibit, but wife rightly complained about the odor. They are now elsewhere on breeding loan I do miss the little guys, tho.

I find the best substrate (so far) was sphagnum moss. It holds humidity well and you will find (or at least I do) the 90% of the time they will tend to crap in the same corner of the cage. Therefore you can spot clean it as necessary. It also cuts back on the smell. If the smell is still to bad the add a 1 inch layer of peat moss to the bottom and through the sphagnum on top. I have used peat with large boids and it really absorbs any odors.

There is also always dirt I know friends who keep monitors and will only use live dirt the bacteria in the soil that naturally breaks down any organic material outside will do the same in a cage.

Cat litter I would worry about them eating, it would also be much to dry wet cat litter is not a pretty site lol. news paper I never tried because the skinks tents to lick a lot of stuff to see what it is I did want them licking ink all day.

Devon

What kind of Moss do you use, and where do you get it? I've seen some really expensive mail order Sphagnum Moss, cheap stuff at craft stores, and the kind at pet stores.