New outdoor cage, Blotched ! All Done !

[Ray Gurgui]

I started a new build this weekend, to replace an old cage the Blotched were in , that I used years ago to grow Orchids inside of to keep away squirrels ,
( furry tailed tree rats ) I hate those varmint's !
It's half way done so far, 12' X 12' X 6' I can split it in half if I need to, hmmm ! Maybe for Key's. They can't dig out, can't climb it either. Now I just need someone to help with the upper row of mesh, at least lift it, that stuff weighs a ton when you build it alone. It's 1/2" X 1/2" X 3' 16 gauge soldered galvanized wire mesh X 100' roll. And the same size mesh but 19 gauge for the floor and eventually the roof . For now it's good enough, I'll see what I can do on it next weekend.

Click the pics to enlarge !!

100_0891.JPG

100_0893.JPG

100_0896.JPG

100_0898.JPG

100_0899.JPG

100_0900.JPG

100_0904.JPG

100_0907.JPG

[Scincoides]

Holy cow. Good job Ray. Ive always wanted some outdoor bluey enclosures, just isnt feasible here.The blotchies look fantastic

[Richard.C]

Looks good ray,blotchies will love it,wish i was that advanced with mine,lol

[Dakota]

I haven't looked up the climate for the Kei Island yet, whoops.

What are your housing arrangements Ray? Do you house any IJ's or Keis outdoors during the wet season (or even year round)? I think I will keep my skinks outside until later this month or early December.. depends on how it does.. my climate is a tad bit warmer than yours though.

Do you house any Easterns outside, not sure on your locale bbut some locales are cold bearing I presume?

[BlueTonguesOfSA]

Looks awesome, Ray! Been thinking of making one like this also!

[Jeff]

Awesome Ray! Are you going to leave them in there before it's enclosed though?

[mark_w]

Looking good Ray. Too *darn cold for all that here! We had a light frost last night and its going to get worse from now on!!!

Mark.

[mark_w]

By the way, I didn't type "darn" - there must be an auto editor on here?

[Seadation]

Love it it looks great!

[donkeybuff]

Beautiful skinks in a beautiful cage. Nice one Ray!

[Lea]

Oh, wow, looks great, ray! I'm sure the blotchies are in paradise! It's a huge space, with loads of established ground cover already, they will do so well in there, great job!

[Toria Dawn]

Wowwwwwwwwwww. I showed these pics to my hubby who really doesn't care about enclosures, and even he was blown away. I just wow wee.

[Ray Gurgui]

Well it's done, and I'm pooped. I only have Saturdays to build outside , now that the time has changed for winter here. Last week I added the upper row of wire mesh, and a door that I can padlock shut, to keep any unwanted kids out. Oh yeah Jeff , the skinks were in it the whole time !
Today I added the frame for the roof, and I stretched a shade cloth over the top for now. After the winter I will add the wire mesh on the top instead of the shade cloth.

100_0924.JPG

100_0926.JPG

100_0927.JPG

100_0928.JPG

100_0929.JPG

100_0930.JPG

100_0931.JPG

[Dakota]

Wow, wish I could build something like that for my Meraukes!!

[Ray Gurgui]

Wow, wish I could build something like that for my Meraukes!!

You prob can if you ask your dad first, BUT.. first you need to check your year round temps, in different parts of your yard , for a few seasons to make shure your skinks can handle it year round.
Out of all 7 types of mine the only ones I can keep outside are the Blotched.

[Dakota]

It would be hard to build something like without my Dad knowing beforehand..

And yes, I have been studying immensely. I'm fairly confident I can, but not totally sure I would want to try and find out. Underground Reptiles keep their Northerns, gigas, ect., ect. out year-round successfully and their temperatures are almost exactly like mine. They turn heat panels on if temperatures get 35 or below. I just think after I get them to breed, I bring them back in so it won't prolong their gestation period. I know for a fact they can stay outside in the summer, as I did it during 2 of the hottest months here in FL.

ETA: I sure hope that is sturdy to hold during our infamous Florida storms!!

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Ray, was the build expensive?

[Ray Gurgui]

Ray, was the build expensive?

Not sure ? I had the PVC pipe frame for 12 years , my plants used to be there, I cut it down from 10' to 6 ' high and added a frame around the bottom from scrap pipe I had laying around and I already had the connectors from when I bought them 12 years ago. The connectors are around $2 to $3.00 ea . depends if its 3,4, or 5 way. The 1/4 " corrugated plastic so they cant climb is scrap from work ( free ) , Wire mesh 2- 100 foot rolls $332.00 picked them up across town , their main office is in New Jersey . The Screws and washers.... tons of them , some I bought some are from work ( $ ? ) . The parts for the roof , the door latches and padlocks $ 78.00 , Shade Cloth I reused from my shade house it was about $ 90.00.
So I guess between $500 and $600 , still cheaper than a V70 Rack got 12 of those.

[Richard.C]

Looks great ray,i reckon your easterns would do fine out there year round as well,maybe more so than the blotchies even,probably not handle groups as well as blotchies though

[Ray Gurgui]

Richard In the winter , the wind blows in from that part of the yard at night, and can get down to the mid to low 30's F . Ok for Blotched but a bit too cold for Easterns. But that's only 7 or 8 nights out of the whole winter , and that's not in a row. Then daytime can be up to 80 F the next day !