Desert Enclosures

[Pooka]

I'm not so sure what a frilled needs in the way of enviroment but I know the Beardie is primarily an arid area creature. What kind of materials would you recommend to sustain there native enviroments and allow for good vivarium planning such as feeding, cleaning and logevity of the enclsoure?

[ClementeDragons]

Bearded dragons need to be housed in a big tank (50 is minimum for one adult). The best cage for an adult dragon is actually a big tub like a giant kitty litter box (So they cant see out and wont be stressed). Sand can be used for there substrate (I use a very fine sand made by art sand but I am going to switch to screened play sand). Allot of people don’t ever even touch sand because they are afraid of impaction so they use paper towels or shelf liner. You can just put a concrete block in the tank for a basking spot but I recommend you put a log or big piece of wood in the cage to climb on.

Pooka are you thinking about getting a bearded dragon

[Pooka]

I was thinking about a beardie for some time actually but have decided on a Monitor I just ask questions because I am curious

[spike]

Have you decided what monitor yet??
if not, look into this one: Varanus mertensi (Merten's Water Monitor)
I know they grow pretty big, but they would have to be in my top 3 favourite reptiles if not my favourite. They are so active. They only downside is thier size

[Zippy]

Have you thought about the Nile Monitor?
Here is a good site about it. www.anapsid.org/nile.html
If you don't decide on a monitor, you could get a Mali Uromastyx.

[Pooka]

I was actually considering a black throat but am not sure if I can commit to a lizard that size yet. I will have to wait and see what my living arrangements are like later this year before I make my final descision.

[wdm]

Good idea to consider living arrangements. Considering that the girls are in a 6x4x4 ft cage If I ever move I will have to cut the cage in half to get it out of here Or make a new one hummmm now theres a plan lol

[Pooka]

wdm said:

Good idea to consider living arrangements. Considering that the girls are in a 6x4x4 ft cage If I ever move I will have to cut the cage in half to get it out of here Or make a new one hummmm now theres a plan lol

LOL ;D
Actually for Pookas final viv width was determined by how wide a standard door opening is for that reason alone. My final cage dimensions are sketched out at roughly 72X72X32 inches which should fit through any door jam.

Any monitor is gonna need MUCH bigger then that as a final viv. So... I guess I will have to get a lizard room to put all these huge cages in

[spike]

I know a monitor that does not grow as big as most other monitors, i have been looking into getting one myself. Have a look at this Varanus acanthurus or if i didnt get that right try Ridge-Tail Monitor A.K.A Spiny-Tail Monitor. They grow to about 60-70cm and can be kept in a cage measuring 48x24x24 (inches)

[lizardguy]

I'm geting a nile monitor this week.. pooka you can get a timor monitor or an ackies monitor i have a tegu now and i love her i'm geting more basilisks so i'll have my hands full.

Neil

[ace13]

try a savahna monitor everyone iv known who has them says their great ;D

[lizardguy]

I had a savannah and she broke 2 of my fingers LOL so i traded a sav for a nile and the nile was a big baby and she excaped from me so i am geting a nother one i fixed my cage so this one can't get out and nonthing can't get in LOL

Neil

[stormchaser]

Acanthurus Monitor is a good suggestion. Im accomaditing a tro from Pro Exotics. Three monitors displaying thier individual behaviors is excellent expierience to have before taking on tree and water monitors. Check out Pro Exotics FAQ Link:
www.proexotics.com/FAQ2.html#23

[stormchaser]

;D Posted the wrong link: www.proexotics.com/FAQ2.html#58
Very informative sight