Outdoors Questions

[saisaac]

U am working on setting up an outdoor tub for Chewy to hang out in this summer while we are outside. I live in Northern Illinois and our humidity can be really high in the summer. Is this a concern? I won't be keeper mg him outdoors all the time, just when we are home and able to monitor him. I am using a big 22x48 Rubbermaid tub and putting wire mesh over the hole I am cutting in tue lid to keep birds and what not away.

[Scotts1au]

I'm a little concern about this, note that a plastic tub outdoors is simply a small greenhouse. Terminal temperatures are in the order of low 40s for a bluey (i.e 104F+), which are easily exceeded even in an open top tub in full sun on a moderately warm day. We keep blueys outdoors in Aus - but mainly in large purpose built enclosures with soil contact, hides, shaded areas, vegetation etc. so the blueys can maintain their own temps.

A friend who shall remain nameless recently killed two blueys they made an outdoor enclosure out of brick with inadequate ventilation and shade, they were litterally cooked.

[Spindown]

I know some folks use those plastic kiddy pools, probably what I'm going to use this year to let them enjoy some sun time. I totally agree with Scotts concern! Its much easier to cook animals than you would think (I made this mistake to my forever sorrow when trying to "cup" my first sand boa). Also, think about how much worse a tub would be than even a car! Cars can reach lethal temps in minutes, and thats for animals that CAN regulate their body temps somewhat! Think about how much smaller a tub is, I'd definitely recommend against it.

[saisaac]

Would this remain a concern even though the tub's walls are gray as opposed to clear?

I'd be too worried to use a kids pool because of the hawk population in the area. I wouldn't want to turn my back and see a hawk swoop down and steal my little friend.

What do you recommend? Keep in mind this will only be for temporary use when we are also outside and able to monitor him.

[saisaac]

I suppose I could use a reptarium. They are entirely screen so ventilation wouldn't be a problem.

[hurricanejen]

I have a 260 gallon reptarium on my patio that I put my blueys in during the summer. Put in a couple of hides (I just use cork rounds) and they're good to go. You can also add a soft tray to it so you can put bedding in the bottom as well.

-Jen

[Spindown]

The gray walls wont help much.

[dsteamn]

I built an outdoor enclosure for my blueys. Its 12 x18 feet and totally enclosed so nothing gets in or out. There is a trench around the perimeter so they can't dig out. The bottom is covered with cypress mulch. Hides line all of the walls - some they can go from one to the other and other ones that are totally separated. There are small platforms, branches, and ramps to climb on. I planted strawberry plants, tomatoes, and different grasses and bushes for then to hide in. There is a tree that keeps half of the enclosure shaded at all times. Different rock media, such as cement, stone, and tile, are placed in different areas around the pen so they can regulate their temperature as needed. No pesticides or fertilizers are used in the back so any bugs they find are clean. The top is framed and covered in metal wire. They stay outside when the temps are above 78 and below 101.

I explained all of this in detail to express how important it is to provide the proper environment when you take then out of their protected space that provides everything they need. It is more a question of temperature than humidity. It can be stressful if they are not used to it, although I absolutely advocate true sunlight whenever possible. You just want to make sure it is a positive experience for the both of you and not one that ends in disaster.

If you decide to use your tub, you can put a thermometer in to keep an eye on the temps. Positioning the tub under a tree if the temps are above 80 would probably be a good precaution.

On the flip side, I have also been known to put my blueys out in glass enclosed vented tanks when the temps are in the low to mid 70a. Sun through the glass heats them up quite nicely and they get the benefit from the natural sunlight. Again, just check your temps to make sure they're good.

[saisaac]

Thank you for all the info. I do not have enough room to build an enormous pit enclosure (or a wife who would allow it). I am going to probably use the tub, but cut more ventilation into it on the upper portion of the sides and then cover the top and sides in metal mesh or I might buy a reptarium. I will only be using it when I can monitor the temps and check on the skink regularly for some natural sun exposure. If it is too hot or cold i will obviously not use it. Most of the time it will be located along the fence or house so it won't be full sun.

Is the high humidity here going to pose any threat?

Any suggestions on a better way to construct a temporary/moveable sunning enclosure?

[dsteamn]

Actually, the humidity is good for them. Being too dry is usually more the problem than too humid. Good luck.

[IchliebeTiere]

Thanks for asking this! I was thinking of doing exactly this same thing and will change it now that I see the downfalls. I think the pool will be fine for me but not in mid summer. I'm in KY which is pretty much the same as Illinois so back to creating an outdoor enclosure that will be used just a couple hours a day during the right parts of the year.