Hi all. I have a couple of tegus that are just a few months old at the moment, but growing fast. I'm looking to upgrade their digs and have a few questions. I have someone who is going to professionally construct their new homes and just want to make sure that I am 100% satisfied with the end product.
First question: I am gathering that 8x3x3 is kind of a standard go-to size. A lot of people mention adding another foot to the width. How much benefit is there in adding that extra foot? In an ideal world, I plan to have them in their own room where they will have free reign to roam around most of the time. More on that later.
Second question: Does the height actually need to be 3 feet? I'd like to be able to get the enclosure in and out of most doors without needing to disassemble it. Adding the ability to disassemble is an option, but costs more. If I made the height around 28 inches, I would save significantly. What are people's thoughts on that?
Third question: I have two tegus. I am not positive of their sexes, but I think they are a male and a female. There is not much size difference currently, but the assumed female seems to be hibernating while the male is going strong. He's quickly gaining size on her and I assume he will be a good bit bigger by the end of winter. I do intend to house them separately in appropriate sized enclosures, but as I mentioned earlier, I'd like them to have a room all to themselves that they can free-roam in during the day while I'm at work. Should I anticipate any issue in this? Will they get along? Will they return to their own enclosure for sleep and UVB, etc, etc? Can I keep other animals in the same room that will be strictly confined to their enclosures? I have a couple of bearded dragons and a bird. They would be kept high off the ground. Would the close proximity stress any of the animals?
Fourth question: I love how inquisitive and curious these guys are, so much more interested in the world than my beardies are. Is there anything that I can or should include in their surroundings to keep them amused during the day? Any "tegu toys" so to speak?
Fifth question: What are people's thoughts about enclosure materials? PVC vs melamine vs I don't know.
Sixth question: What is the best way to light and heat an enclosure of the size described. Would a single 160W UVB mercury vapor bulb on one side and a simple lightblub on the other side be sufficient?
Seventh question: Any other advice?
Thanks everyone!
First question: I am gathering that 8x3x3 is kind of a standard go-to size. A lot of people mention adding another foot to the width. How much benefit is there in adding that extra foot? In an ideal world, I plan to have them in their own room where they will have free reign to roam around most of the time. More on that later.
Second question: Does the height actually need to be 3 feet? I'd like to be able to get the enclosure in and out of most doors without needing to disassemble it. Adding the ability to disassemble is an option, but costs more. If I made the height around 28 inches, I would save significantly. What are people's thoughts on that?
Third question: I have two tegus. I am not positive of their sexes, but I think they are a male and a female. There is not much size difference currently, but the assumed female seems to be hibernating while the male is going strong. He's quickly gaining size on her and I assume he will be a good bit bigger by the end of winter. I do intend to house them separately in appropriate sized enclosures, but as I mentioned earlier, I'd like them to have a room all to themselves that they can free-roam in during the day while I'm at work. Should I anticipate any issue in this? Will they get along? Will they return to their own enclosure for sleep and UVB, etc, etc? Can I keep other animals in the same room that will be strictly confined to their enclosures? I have a couple of bearded dragons and a bird. They would be kept high off the ground. Would the close proximity stress any of the animals?
Fourth question: I love how inquisitive and curious these guys are, so much more interested in the world than my beardies are. Is there anything that I can or should include in their surroundings to keep them amused during the day? Any "tegu toys" so to speak?
Fifth question: What are people's thoughts about enclosure materials? PVC vs melamine vs I don't know.
Sixth question: What is the best way to light and heat an enclosure of the size described. Would a single 160W UVB mercury vapor bulb on one side and a simple lightblub on the other side be sufficient?
Seventh question: Any other advice?
Thanks everyone!
