This new rack cage system I built was created with my need to have an easier way to clean cages. During this time I need cages for keeping juvenile tegus indoors until next spring where they will be moved to their outdoor enclosure. The large stock tanks work great outdoors as I can just dump and hose down. Dragging the heavy stock tanks in and out gets very tiring and is very time consuming. My other rack system has worked well and cleaning is easy working with just the plastic mortar tubs. I built the sides with pvc which keeps the temps consistent and hopefully easy to clean as well. Sliding glass doors on metal tracks similar to vision cages.
Did some work this weekend to complete some of the new outdoor tegu cages I was working on. I use welded wire for the flooring and roof. I then use 2x12 for the sides and to divide the cages. Also the left over 2x12 pieces I used to build the hides. Corrugated plastic roof panels are used for the walls. This setup seems to work quite well as they can't climb the sides but some light still passes through the tinted plastic. I moved in a few new residents, albino blue tegus.
This past week, we had Rachel and Joey here performing genetic classification research on our adult tegus. Rachel is a graduate student and was enthusiastic and passionate about her work! We were happy to have them visit, and both Hector and Rachel learned a lot from one another. We are excited to learn the results of her study as she's been collecting data over the course of 3 years! It's about time we talk about our quail! We raise Coturnix Quail in Hectorbuilt cages. They serve as an excellent food source for the lizards (and us, sometimes). They can lay approximately 1 egg per day, per female. The eggs are small, with a ratio of about 4 or 5 : 1 when compared to the size of a chicken egg. The quails themselves are fast growing and mature at about 8 weeks. They are fed high protein crumble and kept in pens that house about 6 quail (2:4 male to female ratio for high fertility). The lizards enjoy the chicks, eggs, and full grown quail, depending on the lizard and the lizard's size. Another nice feature of the quail is the male's coo which is actually very soothing to some. |
Hector's Habitat
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