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Post by Killian on May 30, 2006 12:30:39 GMT
 Female Shreiberi  Exigua Pair  Exigua Male  Blue Bilineata  Pic of Robs enclosures |
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Post by Killian on May 30, 2006 12:31:58 GMT
The Bilineata is beautiful! as are the rest of the species. very nice pics Rob thanks
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kj
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by kj on May 30, 2006 12:45:30 GMT
Great pics rob love the Blue Bilineata and the set-ups very nice mate  |
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Bri
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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Post by Bri on May 30, 2006 19:18:09 GMT
Nice set up. Are the tank walls plastic or glass ?
I'd like that sort of enclosure myself, but with the number of cats round here without a roof the inhabitants would not last long !!
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colin
New Member
Posts: 45
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Post by colin on May 30, 2006 21:09:07 GMT
Nice pics,can you give us an idea of size.
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Post by robpilley on May 31, 2006 10:13:10 GMT
The enclosure sides are all glass and set into the ground to about 6 inches deep to prevent the lizards digging out. There is a mesh lid that fits over the enclosures as we too have local cats (including two of our own that sit for hours watching the lizards).
The enclosures have been built for three years now and all inhabitants live in there 12 months of the year. I wrap horticultural fleece around them in the winter to keep frost off.
Most of the inhabitants have been raised in these enclosures from very early age, I think this is very important for the long term adaptation of the animals to our climate and seasons, especially learning how and when to go into hibernation and when to come out again. Our spring is very fickle, one warm sunny day is often followed by a freezing cold day, which the lizards have to learn to adapt to and avoid. I have found that wild caught animals will often not adapt to our long drawn out spring, especially if introduced late in the year. Its always best to try and start with Cb young and raise them outside from the start. They take longer to grow and reach maturity, but the end result is well worth it and you end up with a stunningly coloured, hardy, Uk climate adapted adult.
Rob
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chris
New Member
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Post by chris on Jun 1, 2006 10:21:33 GMT
Hi Rob,
fantastic set up. It has given me some great ideas. I have just one question. How do you monitor the health of yoour animals ?
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Bri
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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Post by Bri on Jun 2, 2006 7:23:15 GMT
What sort of size are the individual enclosures Rob ? I've considered getting hold of a few cheap glass fish tanks, taking the base out and using them in a similar way. The alternative plan was to just let any lizards I add to my collection loose into the tortoise enclosure which is 20ft x 10ft with a wooden fence all round and wire mesh under two inches of topsoil. I've stapled weed barrier plastic sheeting up the sides of the wooded paneling to remove any claw holds the rough surface might provide.
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Post by robpilley on Jun 9, 2006 13:59:40 GMT
Hi Chris and Bri.
I monitor the lizards in exactly the same way as you would do an indoor viv! You just keep an eye on them, change water when it needs it, throw food in if the lizards look hungry etc. Its all very low maintenance.
I see all everyday basking before work this time of year so i have no worries about their health. They just get on with it outside, as if they were wild.
The enclosures are 4 feet long by 2 feet wide or 4 feet by 4 feet. All made from 4 foot lengths of glass set into the lawn and then siliconed together.
Rob
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Bri
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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Post by Bri on Jun 9, 2006 22:29:25 GMT
Great design and setup. If I didn't have kids with limited control of footballs I'd copy it without any hesitation.
Did you use normal glass or laminated or toughened glass ?
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