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 #2085208


Silentjt
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 MINIMUM Cage Size.

MINIMUM.......According to Merrium-Webster.

Quote:

1 : the least quantity assignable, admissible, or possible

Now that we understand minimum means the smallest size that should be used, let’s determine what size that would be.

Through searching, lurking and reading around the internet I’ve come to this conclusion. The minimum cage size for monitors most commonly prescribed is: width = 1x monitors total length, length = 2x monitors total length. A monitor with a potential adult size of 3 feet will then require a minimum 3’x6’ cage, a 5 foot monitor,5’x10’ etc.

Now remember, this is minimum, which means larger is always better.

This minimum describes the horizontal floor space. A cage with 4’ of vertical space, decorated in such a way that this space is usable, will provide your monitor with more living room than a cage with only 2’ of vertical space.

I personally prefer taller cages utilizing a vertical temperature gradient (after all heat rises). My cages have a minimum 5’ vertical area ABOVE the substrate with logs etc. allowing them to climb to their higher basking areas. I believe this type of setup helps overcome the limits of a cage near minimum size.

Once more, larger is always better.






Jesse
10/17/09  08:41pm

 #2085312


Manchild
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   Message To: Silentjt   In reference to Message Id: 2085208


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

Great post Jesse.I also use taller cages to give more vertical space.


greg
10/18/09  12:25am

 #2085328


BansheeRacer25
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   Message To: Manchild   In reference to Message Id: 2085312


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

Great post Jesse. Like Greg i use high cages as well, even for ackies.
10/18/09  01:08am

 #2085773


Norf
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   Message To: BansheeRacer25   In reference to Message Id: 2085328


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

Awesome post.

Great shots too.
10/19/09  12:42am

 #2086423


Mdf
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   Message To: Silentjt   In reference to Message Id: 2085208


 MINIMUM Cage Size.



Nice set ups & great subject to post about!!

What do you think to this setup after searching the web.
Click Here
10/20/09  03:36pm

 #2086460


Varanus_odom
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   Message To: Mdf   In reference to Message Id: 2086423


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

Mark, I saw that website a few days ago and I’m not sure I would recommend that set up. The guy has/had 5+ monitors (including a water monitor) living in an attic with about 2 inches of sand and only one basking bulb per basking site. What do you think?
10/20/09  04:42pm

 #2086472


Mxracer
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   Message To: Varanus_odom   In reference to Message Id: 2086460


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

It’s nice and roomy, but Like odom said, very little sand, not enough subtrate to allow a burrow and not enough lights in one spot to cover the lizards from its neck to its vent. Also I didn’t see a be water dish for them in any of the pictures that would allow them to ease off there sheds or just to swim?
10/20/09  05:00pm

 #2086501


Stephen foo
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   Message To: Varanus_odom   In reference to Message Id: 2086460


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

Great looking set ups very nice indeed , iv had a look at the link for the "attic" vivs and although i agree with the lack of substrate and basking lights , a loft can be a half decent place for larger vivs and the use of deep leaf litter/bark substrate is a better choice for the monitors although all his monitors appear healthy.



couple of pics of my attic vivs
10/20/09  05:39pm

 #2086885


Silentjt
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   Message To: Stephen foo   In reference to Message Id: 2086501


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

I also agree about the substrate and lights, I’m also concerned about all the wires. On the flip side, it’s a beautiful and spacious enclosure.

Considering some of his animals are close to 10 years old, he must be managing to keep his heat, humidity etc. at acceptable levels.

Jesse
10/21/09  11:35am

 #2086966


Mdf
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   Message To: Silentjt   In reference to Message Id: 2086885


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

That’s the part i was looking at the beautiful and spacious enclosure, it has faults in our eyes but his bred them twice with two different B/T’s so he must be doing something right, imagine having that space to play with!

He has his breeding notes in BIAWAK vol1 number2 the main problem he had was the nest site, she kept dropping the eggs on the floor, but by all accounts he still managed to hatch some out.



10/21/09  02:36pm

 #2087439


Silentjt
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   Message To: Manchild   In reference to Message Id: 2085312


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

bump
10/22/09  11:07am

 #2087456


Varanus_odom
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   Message To: Mdf   In reference to Message Id: 2086966


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

I agree that it’s awesome he provides them with such a spacious enclosure and you can’t argue with results (success breeding). It’s possible that the attic enclosure keeps in humidity and heat. How much? I don’t know and I’m not sure that he says on his site. Only things that threw me off was the sand/basking spots.

BTW, Jesse, good post and I couldn’t have said it better. =)-
10/22/09  11:57am

 #2087501


AlbigsRule
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   Message To: Varanus_odom   In reference to Message Id: 2087456


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

Was it just me, or did it look like he was keeping his albigs and salvators together? I didn’t pay to much attention, but I swear i saw some pictures with the two interacting?


Brandon
10/22/09  02:16pm

 #2087502


Varanus_odom
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   Message To: AlbigsRule   In reference to Message Id: 2087501


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

Brandon, yes - he raised his female salvator with his albigs in that enclosure.



10/22/09  02:23pm

 #2087532


Mdf
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   Message To: Varanus_odom   In reference to Message Id: 2087502


 MINIMUM Cage Size.



One other thing, the reason his monitor dropped her eggs on the floor was she didn’t like the 1box that measured 1.8m x 1m x 0.35cm deep nest box he had provided with a basking lamp focused on it., goes back to the lack of substrate ground cover/ choice.
10/22/09  03:59pm

 #2094279


Silentjt
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   Message To: AlbigsRule   In reference to Message Id: 2087501


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

bump
11/11/09  02:15am

 #2096632


Mdf
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   Message To: Silentjt   In reference to Message Id: 2094279


 MINIMUM Cage Size.

Link to a good sav cageClick Here

& a good care sheet that lists what not to use Click Here
11/18/09  05:31pm


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