Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would love to see some pics of BIG outdoor enclosures. I am located in SW Florida and am looking to add a pair of cubans to start. I have 2-1/2 acres to work with, so space is not an issue. Large limestone boulders are plentiful on my property, so I hope to incorporate a few as a central basking area. I also found a neat one that is indented on top and will hold water like a natural birdbath. I might use it as a water dish.

I have seen a couple breeder set ups that were just smooth walls with no cover, as well as the more typical walk-in galvanized hardware cloth and wood framed enclosures. Any thoughts?
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Jake
www.thereptileenthusiast.webs.com

You can always look at Tom Crutchfield or Ty Parks websites and videos. If it were me though, I'd drive down to see Robert Ehrig and see what his cages look like. I know he has had over 100mph winds down there and never lost a cage and he's been working with cyclura since the 70's. You can build something that looks cool but it won't do you much good if the next serious storm just wipes it out or your animals escape. It might be a bit of a drive, but the knowledge gained could be well worth it. He also has the best cubans around, so you could grab a pair while your'e there. Real cubans and multiple bloodlines to choose from, not hybrid or inbred crap many people are offering.

Isn't Ehrig closed to the public? If you are buying from him, you might get to see a few cages and of course a few of whatever it is your buying. I think Sam Pascuchi and Tom Crutchfield have equally large enclosures to see, and don't require the long drive. The easiest way to make a big cage is use chain link fence with wood for the acess area. With a bigger budget, consider concete block or rock walls, but they do not protect from air predators such as hawkes. Perhaps a pool screen framed could be incorporated to prevent air predators. The cage below was for juvenile rhino iguanas in Manti Park, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, there are larger versions with higher walls for the adults. Good luck with your new project.

The open air one in the Dominican Republic is the photo I had seen of an "open air" setup. I do want to make something that isn't an eyesore, and that is a little easier on the eyes than a more traditional cage. Obviously though, it isn't as secure. I was kicking around the idea of a screened in cage similar to the ones Sam uses, but sprucing it up a bit with some architectural details, like giving it the look of a pergola.
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Jake
www.thereptileenthusiast.webs.com