Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone set up an outdoor enclosure? I was thinking about making one the same way others do to house diamondback & copperheads. Since Im moving to Las, Vegas NV the outside climate should be adequate for a group of Mexican Beaded. Im thinking about making thier enclosure at least 15x15 with a 3 or 4 high barrier. I also want to include a few manmade burrows. Any ideas would gladly be appreciated!!! Im open to any/all criticism... i do want to ensure that my lizards will be as heathly as possible!!!

I saw an outside Beaded Enclosure in Southern California once. This was an "old School" herper (ie, he still allowed his burms to incubate their own eggs)... He had multiple outdoor parrot enclosures made also. This was built about the same using heavy mesh wire that was burried a few feet down (and hopefully accross the bottom also)... In the middle of the enclosure was some burried PVC pipe which the animals used as a burrow. Wasn't much to it... I only met him twice so I didn't get a really good look at it or IF he brought the animals indoors.

Another cool thing he did was to keep his Chameleons outdoors in wire cages nailed to trees (with potted plants inside for cover)...he'd just spray them down with the waterhose... but what had me laughing is he'd sometimes throw dead rats/mice ontop the cages which would attract flies... the lizards would have a field day catching the flies...

I doubt that helped... maybe someone else has seen a better setup.

Graham

I grew up in Vegas. My guess is it is to hot and dry in the summer, and to cold and dry in the winter. When it does rain, it comes all at one time, so flooded burrows would be a concern. It might work if you had a completely secure green house. By secure I mean no way for the animals to get out, including digging out, and no way for thieves, vandels, cats, etc. to get in. If it we me, I would do something indoors. You have way more control.

"I grew up in Vegas. My guess is it is to hot and dry in the summer, and to cold and dry in the winter. When it does rain, it comes all at one time, so flooded burrows would be a concern. It might work if you had a completely secure green house. By secure I mean no way for the animals to get out, including digging out, and no way for thieves, vandels, cats, etc. to get in. If it we me, I would do something indoors. You have way more control."

Very good point about the thieves, vandels, cats, and pest all together! I heard that the winters can be a little harsh. I was thinking about keeping them indoors during that time and setting up something like a summer retreat during the spring-fall months. I really liked the idea of having no top on the enclosure, but maybe a mesh top wouldnt be so bad. My next obsticle to think about is the rain like you've mentioned.

Alan

I had the same ideas as the guy your talking about. Create 4 walls and put some type of screen/fence/mesh 3 feet under ground so the beadeds cant dig thier way out.

"Another cool thing he did was to keep his Chameleons outdoors in wire cages nailed to trees (with potted plants inside for cover)...he'd just spray them down with the waterhose... but what had me laughing is he'd sometimes throw dead rats/mice ontop the cages which would attract flies... the lizards would have a field day catching the flies..."

Now thats thinking outside the box lol... im not sure if id do it that way, but .....