First 2 enclosures (DUW)

[DaveDragon]

These are the first 2 enclosures I built for our Red and Blue Tegu's. They still need trim.

In process.

 

[PuffDragon]

Pretty sweet. I am getting more and more ideas for my cage everyday! What's the dimensions?

 

[DaveDragon]

7 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. I only had room for 7 feet.

It's built in 2 pieces in the garage and assembled in the family room (basement).

 

[olympus]

Your enclosures are pretty hot, I really like the way that you designed and constructed everything. The backround that you installed are cool also.

 

[DaveDragon]

Thanks!

That background is $3 per foot (aquarium background)!!! I need 13 feet per enclosure! As you can guess, no one has ever bought that much of it at one time before (at least at this pet store).

 

[aj12790]

They look real good.These were the pics I wanted to see.

 

[greentriple]

AWESOME!!!!

 

[VARNYARD]

Awesome Dave, great pictures, and you have a super nice looking enclosures.

 

[Mike]

Nice cages.

 

[playlboi]

man, that looks nice. how long did it take you to build the whole thing?

 

[dorton]

Awesome job, great looking setups.

 

[PuffDragon]

I like the screened top to separate the lighting. Is that just chicken wire from a hardware store?

 

[DaveDragon]

man, that looks nice. how long did it take you to build the whole thing?

Thanks everyone! They took me about 3 weeks each. Mostly because gluing down the vinyl flooring (in the base) takes 4 steps over 4 days and 3 days for final prime and paint.

 

[DaveDragon]

I like the screened top to separate the lighting. Is that just chicken wire from a hardware store?

It's 1/2" galvanized hardware cloth.

The doors have black vinyl coated 1/2" hardware cloth to reduce the chance of them damaging their nose on it. That was the hardest thing to find. I found a manufacturer and they gave me a name of a guy who lives about a half hour away who sold some to me.

 

[nat]

hey dave, I like your idea. I am wondering if you find your tegu's rub on the wire or is it high enough up not to be an issue? We are in the middle of planning the final tegu enclosure and I like how you went about yours

 

[snakehandler]

Nice enclosures.

 

[DaveDragon]

hey dave, I like your idea. I am wondering if you find your tegu's rub on the wire or is it high enough up not to be an issue? We are in the middle of planning the final tegu enclosure and I like how you went about yours

Actually I got the idea from a guy in another forum from Texas. I just improved it. He's had reptiles and been building enclosures for over 30 years. He also did a thesis on monitors. He's also been doing rescues for many years. I figure he has to know something about what he's doing.

They've never rubbed on the top wire (galvanized). It probably has to do with their personality, some are more nervous than others. Our male Blue has had a problem rubbing his chin raw in his old cage and this one, but in this one be would bang it on the background trying to find a way out. He's been good for that last few weeks though. He still really likes to come out almost every day!

The only problem with the screen top and front is it doesn't hold in any humidity. The Tegu's have a small tub to soak in , a water bowl, they get a bath every weekend (if they're awake), and their substrate in watered (3/4 to 1 1/4 gallons!) and/or turned every weekend. Misting does nothing, it evaporates off of the surface in minutes. I figure since they spend over half of their day under the substrate they have to be getting a fair amount of humidity, although the top3 inches may be dry. The only one with dry skin problems is the Red. The last 2 weekends he's slept in his bath for 45 to 60 minutes, but still had flakey skin. I may have to seal up his enclosure.

 

[Aranha]

neato enclosure! I Personally prefer glass tho ^^

 

[Little Wise Owl]

That looks great

 

[ALPHA]

Wow, very nice work. Aesthetically pleasing. How much did all your supplies cost and how long did it take to make