Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking at getting a rhino soon and had some questions about outdoor housing. I have a pool area that is completely surrounded by a 4' high concrete stucco wall. The floor is brick paver and there are some planters on the sides with sand substrate. Do I need to worry about a rhino climbing the wall or going in the pool? I live in south Fl and was wondering if it is necessary to have some type of thermostated heat mat in the winter months and if so, does any one have a good outdoor heating system that works.
Thanks,
Shawn

I am in Miami Fl. Here is one of my Rhino pens where they stay year round. The boys and the girls stay seperated except during breeding season. They get a heating pad in the winter when temps fall below 60.

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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

Thanks for the response. I was thinking of doing something similar as far as a rock cave and burrying a Kane heat mat about 6" under the sand inside the cave. I am a little concerned about climbing. The perimeter wall is about 4' tall and has a light stucco finish. Has anyone expierienced thier rhinos climbing walls or tree trunks?

not so much climbing as leaping and jumping. They can clear a 3 foot wall no problem
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

I was considering purchasing a rhino and am moving to Florida towards the end of next year. My house is on pilings, so I was contemplating setting up the enclosure partly under the house and the rest out in the yard. Is your enclosure raised off the ground? Not living in Florida as of yet, I have already become acquainted with the fire ants, so that is why I was thinking about a raised cage. I also live on the Charlotte Harbor, so don't know if this has any special perils. I live in Wisconsin now, so would not consider a rhino due to the size of the cage that is needed, but thought my options in Florida might make owning one a possibility. Any thought or suggestions? Thank you in advance.

Pam
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2.3 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado, Oro, Dora, Freckles & Amarillo)
1.1 varanus acanthurus acanthurus (Tabasco & Sprite)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba) RIP Ayana
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
1.1 u. ocellata (Zuhri & Ashai)
0.1.2 u. a. aegypticus (Zahra Urbi, Halima & Sagira)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)

Fire ants will go anywhere thay can find food regardless of height. If you get them you must destroy the nest and the colony. Our Rhinos stay outside year round. We are in Miami. They get gheat pads for the winter. They do like to climb and bask so a large cage is a must and one tall enough that they can get situated on a rock or something above the ground.

you can see some pics here

pics

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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange