BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I went and bought 9 pieces of 2" x 2" x 8' boards. I am going to buy all of the needed screw/hinges/nails tomorrow, and getting the saw/wire this weekend. So excited!

I am making it 5' x 4' x 1.5', putting a divider in it, so each skink will get 5' x 2' x 1.5'..

I am putting small holed wire around for almost 100% of ventilation.

Hope all goes well, and will post pictures!

For some reason, when I try to attach a picture, it goes to a blank screen.. hmm.

YAY! Building cages is super fun! I have to build my hedgehog cage soon!

I was wondering: Has anyone ever dealt with a divided cage? If so, did they ever have a skink to escape to the other side, ect?

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What I have my hedgehog in is pretty simple, ha. I bought 2 of the biggest quart tubs, cut a circle out of both of them, and connected them with a big circle tube.. one side of for her wheel.. and the other side if for cuddle-time, haha.

..and she learned to deficate behind her wheel, so I only have to change one side of the cage's bedding often.

Let's see updated pics!!

I plan on building one as soon as it is warm enough to get the table saw out on the drive way. Will be following this, in case you are interested. Also, it's all about melamine!!!

http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/

dakotanivens wrote:I went and bought 9 pieces of 2" x 2" x 8' boards. I am going to buy all of the needed screw/hinges/nails tomorrow, and getting the saw/wire this weekend. So excited!

I am making it 5' x 4' x 1.5', putting a divider in it, so each skink will get 5' x 2' x 1.5'..

I am putting small holed wire around for almost 100% of ventilation.

Hope all goes well, and will post pictures!

I highly recommend not using wire screen/mesh for the sides. Your skink will climb it, rub its nose on the wire causing sores, and nearly impossible to control/maintain heat. Obviously also don't recommend it on the floor either.

What Brad said.

A wire enclosure will not retain any heat. Also, BTS will most likely try to escape through the wire by pushing their nose through the mesh in an attempt to widen the space enough to fit their whole body through, resulting in a lot of body and scale damage or even death.

For example, this wire mesh was used when outside and had to be covered with a plank to prevent them trying to push their heads through, Even then they climbed on the plank to keep trying.

Where can I find some plexi-glass?

dakotanivens wrote:Where can I find some plexi-glass?

Any hardware and home improvement stores, glass companies, Internet, etc.

I went and bought the material for Ema & Zaunder's cage.. and instead of hardware wire, I decided to buy pegboard.. since you guys didn't like the fact of hardware wire.

So far, we got the bottom frame almost completely finished, got all the cutting done... so about 60% done.. hopefully be done by tomorrow.

I merged the thread you posted created in the OT forum with this post you made just the other day. Please be considerate and not fill the forums by creating multiple posts covering the same topic.

ReptileKing wrote:I merged the thread you posted created in the OT forum with this post you made just the other day. Please be considerate and not food the forums by creating multiple posts covering the same topic.

Okay, sorry.

Have patience Grasshopper! You seem to want everything done yesterday.

The first stage should be making a drawing of the intended job with measurements so you know how all materials need to be cut, instead of cutting first. I can't determine how you intend to use all that pegboard without a substantial frame to support. You should know that a structure of the size you propose is going to be very heavy and will need frame bracing. Also, if all sides are of pegboard you will still have difficulty retaining heat within. From memory, Jeff and Zack have made enclosures using pegboard for the back panel to good success. It would be worthwhile searching out pictures of their work before proceeding much further.

If you don't have a definite drawn plan and continue to change building materials as the project continues the end result is going to look as though it was designed and constructed by the Three Little Pigs.

I do have it all drawn out.. it won't let me post it on here. It is 5ft x 4ft x 1.5ft, with a divider in it, giving each skink 5ft x 2ft x 1.5ft. We are building the frame right now, but when I woke up, it was pouring, so will start on it again tomorrow. We cut out six 5ft pieces, six 4ft pieces, four 1.5ft legs, and the bottom board has yet to be cut. We cut out 4 pegboards, and bought 2 rolls of hardware wire (with small holes) to go on the top, which will allow me to see in, and to allow the heat lamps stay on.

El Lobo wrote:
If you don't have a definite drawn plan and continue to change building materials as the project continues the end result is going to look as though it was designed and constructed by the Three Little Pigs.

oh, dear, my ramshackle put together is a "three little pigs" creation. The big, bad wolf hasn't blown it down yet, though and it's a sturdy design. I'm a hopeless designer on paper though and I have the whole design in my head, complete with measurements, before I start. I can mentally envisage metres and joins though and it's definitely not a method for everyone. Thankfully the skinks don't mind the slightly Pisa-esque joins and wonky structure and it blends with the rustic outdoors of my garden well. If you want something to be proud of though, it's good to see you have a plan in the making.

After ir rains here, it decides to come a snow.. wow, just my luck.

Plexi is expensive, I used glass for my front sliding doors, as it was 6 times cheaper!

SapphireTigress wrote:Plexi is expensive, I used glass for my front sliding doors, as it was 6 times cheaper!

I think it was almost $5 per square foot. I do not have a job, for I am only 15.. but definitely not buying this, ha.