OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES
Karen Guillen & Ron Dencio (8 March 2000 & August 2005)
MUST be pest & predator proof (mice, rats, pets, currawongs, magpies, kookaburras, snakes).
MUST be escape proof.
FIX FURNITURE (logs, branches, rocks, etc) so it cannot collapse.
MAKE SURE NO DROWNING is possible - pits must drain well, no gaps under ponds, etc.
POSITION the enclosure toface north to receive plenty of sunlight (at least 4 hours in winter.
NO ABRASIVE surfaces/edges/ends of wire, etc - all must be eliminated.
OUT OF VIEW if possible and KEPT LOCKED - herps are frequently stolen
Design - Needs to be appropriate for species of reptile being kept.
- Turtles need ponds and hides.
- Skinks need hides.
- Pythons need climbing branches.
- Dragons & Monitors need ponds and climbing branches.
Some animals will dig - fencing will need to be dug into ground at
least 30 cm or a bird wire (not chook wire) underlay placed beneath
the substrate of the enclosure.
Wire surrounds/sides at the animal's height must be covered; (eg. clear laslerlite) as some animals will injure snouts pushing against it and it is also preferable animals can't climb enclosure walls.
Shinglebacks can't swim - use only shallow water containers if keeping these lizards.
Make sure you can easily access the enclosure for handling, feeding, cleaning, etc.
Type
A converted aviary - 1/3 of walls open (mesh) 2/3 solid (metal) and full solid (metal) roof.
A pit made of metal, concrete, brick, perspex walls with wire cover.
Hygiene
- Water dishes need to be rinsed and cleaned regularly
- Skins and faeces need to be removed regularly
- Furniture needs to cleaned regularly
Shade - the reptile must be able to get out of the sun
- If possible with an aviary type enclosure have a tree on the west side large enough for its branches to be over the roof (trunk of tree about 1 metre from aviary), for a pit use shade cloth. Also plant trees, shrubs, grasses for cover - preferably use natives - make sure plants are not toxic.
Dry Areas
- There must be areas where the reptile can be completely dry no matter how much it rains.
Hides
- Must be available in sunny, shady and dry areas
Winter Hibernation (ONLY reptiles occurring locally)
- Reptile should be at least 3 years old and healthy.
- Sufficient cover must be provided for reptile to safely hibernate - must not be exposed to frost.
- Minimum temperature where animal has chosen to hibernate must not drop below 7C.
- Roofing sheets e.g. laserlite or clear plastic sheets can be used for cladding.
- Turtle ponds must be a minimum of 60cm deep.
- Acclimatise non-locally bred animals - hibernate indoors in first year.
Ponds
- Reptile must be able to enter and leave the pond easily.
- Pond material must not be abrasive.
- Make sure pond is able to be emptied and is cleanable - filtration and/or drains recommended.
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