Mesh a problem?

[Slipknot]

I built a cage a while back out of melamine, but I used mesh for the front instead of glass. I would like to keep a Savannah Monitor in the enclosure, would nose-rubbing be a problem?

[Jeff_Favelle]

Bad idea. I wouldn't use it.

[Slipknot]

Is there a particular reason for not using it? Or a bunch?

[silent_truth]

(Assuming this is the heavy duty mesh you're referring to) I would say a few reasons. The main one being nose-rub like you mentioned. Another being that for a undetermined period of time, monitors will be highly reliant on a diet of insects. If this is the strong wire "mesh" with gaps, then these insects will go right through it. Also, even though savannahs come from arid habitat, they still require a certain degree of humidity in order to shed properly. Having full-on airflow through the cage will wipe out any humidity that did exist pretty quickly. I don't know if this applies to your situation, but the issue of curious kids with tiny fingers poking through the mesh is another concern. Substrate being thrown out through the mesh is yet another issue. Savannahs are classified as "terrestrial" monitors, meaning they spend most of their time on the ground and they often dig through their substrate, possibly making quite the mess with a mesh front enclosure.

I would definitely suggest strong glass doors on the front for any small to medium monitor enclosure.


-Adam

[Slipknot]

Okay, thanks for the help.