Started the Varanid Enclosure

[sirtalis]

I'm getting a peacock monitor and i've read they max at about 2 feet maybe a bit bigger

[sirtalis]

Originally Posted by Akuma223

Can you link me this please? My monitor does this all the time and humidity has always been a huge issue for him in his old cage which he was in for three years, I've always been worried about dehydration though he shows no other signs physically or behaviorally from what I've noticed.

I read this on vatanustalk.com about a year ago but it seems that that site is no longer active. If im wrong please let me know, i only want the best for my pets. Iv'e handled that guy im buying and hes actually only 16 inches hes much smaller than a bearded dragon so I think this cage would be sufficient as far as size goes

[sirtalis]

Originally Posted by reptiledude987

In mine I put in a turtle filter and still did regular water changes as well.

I was planning on using some kind of filter but Iv'e been thinking and I'm probably going to get a sterlite or tupperware and just change the water daily or every other day

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by sirtalis

Hi, im actually getting an adult, its only about 18 inches at the moment and most sheets that I have read say that this cage will work fine, im cutting the bottom out and putting a sterlite beneath it, so he'll have 2 feet of cage space plus 12ish inches of substrate beneath the cage

Hi, o.k with a substrate tub underneath it offers a little more space, but these animals grow quite quickly when properly supported, which means you would need to rehouse in a short space of time, that can cause much stress (not to mention more expense and work building again), far better to start with the "adult sized" enclosure from the beginning.
If the monitor is already 18 inches in size its quite likely to be a sexually mature young adult.
Anyone can write a "caresheet", many of them are complete nonsense it some respects...

[sirtalis]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, o.k with a substrate tub underneath it offers a little more space, but these animals grow quite quickly when properly supported, which means you would need to rehouse in a short space of time, that can cause much stress (not to mention more expense and work building again), far better to start with the "adult sized" enclosure from the beginning.
If the monitor is already 18 inches in size its quite likely to be a sexually mature young adult.
Anyone can write a "caresheet", many of them are complete nonsense it some respects...

cool, that makes sense, I can add about 12-18 inches in height, would this work, he/she would then have 36 inches of climbing space.

[Akuma223]

I've taken the pics of my rudis' water set up, now I just need to get them on my computer.

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by sirtalis

cool, that makes sense, I can add about 12-18 inches in height, would this work, he/she would then have 36 inches of climbing space.

Again, you`re talking of a TINY space, obviously none of us can give them the room they use in the wild, but consider they will be spending possibly 15 to 20 years in the "matchboxes" we provide, it`s best to go as big as possible. I would recommend a size for an adult of around 6H x 5L x 3W (feet), they will use all that and more.

[sirtalis]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Again, you`re talking of a TINY space, obviously none of us can give them the room they use in the wild, but consider they will be spending possibly 15 to 20 years in the "matchboxes" we provide, it`s best to go as big as possible. I would recommend a size for an adult of around 6H x 5L x 3W (feet), they will use all that and more.

Thank you, i'm pretty sure I could get that length and height, Ill have to move a shelf though, as far as width Ill have to max out at 2.5. During the summer I'm planning on an outdoor screened enclosure, something like 8Lx4Wx6H, the climate were I live could support most varanids march through october

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by sirtalis

Thank you, i'm pretty sure I could get that length and height, Ill have to move a shelf though, as far as width Ill have to max out at 2.5. During the summer I'm planning on an outdoor screened enclosure, something like 8Lx4Wx6H, the climate were I live could support most varanids march through october

That sounds good, and lucky you!

[sirtalis]

Awesome! I really appreciate the help, im certainly glad I started this thread before I bought the monitor