some answers ~ also long!

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Posted by iZ's mom on April 03, 2001 at 13:48:27:

In Reply to: More Questions...please help...kinda long posted by Twisted on April 03, 2001 at 07:36:49:

ok ~ let *me* start by saying ~ no lectures from me! i rescued a 10" svl, less than a pound girl ig without knowing a single fact i held it, heard it whisper in my ear "take me home", fell instantly in love + the rest is history ... *grin* ... HE is now 20" svl, 5'6" stl + 11+# + has his own room now ...

always remember that igs are inquisitive! they have to check everything out + they just don't know what is safe + what isn't so WE have to watch out for them � same as a toddler ~ they're NOT dumb, they just don't know!

enclosures ~ build it as BIG as you can right from the start! extra space is *not* gonna be a problem as far as the ig is concerned and otherwise, it's gonna be outgrown about 2 wks after you finish it ~ been there, done that! :) ... i gave up + we moved to a house so iZ could have his own room ... (nah, he's not spoiled ~ he deserves it!) � build it as TALL as possible �

what worked well for me + iZ as far as enclosures:
i made it a 5-sided thing ~ it fit in the corner and by making a 5th side, i could make the 4 main walls longer ~ the 5th side cut the corner of the square that jutted out into the room and had the door in it ... (i gotta get some photos scanned some year ...) � (it was 6' tall + sat on 1' blocks � walls were 5', 4', 4', 3', + the door/wall was 2')

anyway ~ frame was 2x2's ... solid floor, bottom 18 or 24" of walls solid to cut down on drafts in winter time ... the wall that was going to be against the outside wall of the house was also solid + i put 2 layers of old blanket between the 2 walls for insulation (the wall of the house + the wall of the enc.) ... seal the wood with polyurethane *before* putting it together ~ moisture proofs it + makes it easier to keep clean + sanitary � (make sure that it has time to air out before letting the ig inside it or the fumes will be deadly!!!)

*Plastic* mesh is the way to go IMHO ~ a zillion times easier to work with cuz you can cut it with scissors + *not* scratch the heck out of yourself stretching it to the frame ... no sharps edges for the IG to get hurt on either! i used black which is basically invisible when you're done and used the 1" hole size ... *yes* it is strong enough! iZ still has ramps + shelves made out of it in his room and it's withstood all of his jumping + leaping at it without a single prob for 3 years now ... by making the majority of the sides out of mesh, you give the ig as many climbing surfaces as possible + that's a good thing ...

ceiling ~ "cross beams" of 2x2's outside of the mesh to support the light fixtures on � by putting these 'beams' on *top* of the frame of the enc., you are also raising them more out of reach of inquisitive toes + tongues � depending on your heat source, you may want to use wire mesh for the top of the enclosure �

warmth ~ a *major* consideration if you live where it gets cold � me + iZ *do* �
plexiglass is one solution ~ cover the outside of the mesh with it � prob with that is that it's gonna be hard to clean the "snalt" (sneezed salt) off of it � plexi is kinda pricey too ~ glass is cheaper but A LOT heavier and not as easy to work with ~ also more hazardous since it's breakable � prob'ly wanna go with plexi if this is gonna be a Long-Term thing � (iZ only used his for a year � ) � if you're not sure and/or saving up for plexi: I used that clear plastic that you use to 'winterize' windows to seal it up � works *really* good!!!! you use a blow dryer to shrink-wrap it so it's tight and it's nice + clear � it won't last a real long time + you *will* need to re-do it periodically cuz ig toes will most likely tear a hole in it sooner or later � usually sooner! but it's an option �

heat is the biggie � and one of the reasons (along with size) that iZ got his own room � depending on where in the world you are and if you live in an old drafty house (like me), it can be a nightmare � but! I just read Mr. D's post on the radiant heat panels � definitely sounds like something to check out!!!!! anything I write on CHE's or heat lamps comes with an even LONGER paragraph on safety issues + warnings �

once the frame is completed, you want to add shelves + stuff � make 'em wide enough so the ig can sprawl � + remember they live in trees and so like to be UP (+ look down on you! )
tree limbs + branches are appreciated + look nice as well � but that's another post in itself I think + your eyes are prob'ly tired by now � *grin*

very best wishes!
Bon. + iZ

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: <i>ok ~ let *me* start by saying ~ no lectures from me! i rescued a 10" svl, less than a pound girl ig without knowing a single fact i held it, heard it whisper in my ear "take me home", fell instantly in love + the rest is history ... *grin* ... HE is now 20" svl, 5'6" stl + 11+# + has his own room now ...</i> : always remember that igs are inquisitive! they have to check everything out + they just don't know what is safe + what isn't so WE have to watch out for them � same as a toddler ~ they're NOT dumb, they just don't know! : enclosures ~ build it as BIG as you can right from the start! extra space is *not* gonna be a problem as far as the ig is concerned and otherwise, it's gonna be outgrown about 2 wks after you finish it ~ been there, done that! :) ... i gave up + we moved to a house so iZ could have his own room ... (nah, he's not spoiled ~ he deserves it!) � build it as TALL as possible � : what worked well for me + iZ as far as enclosures: : i made it a 5-sided thing ~ it fit in the corner and by making a 5th side, i could make the 4 main walls longer ~ the 5th side cut the corner of the square that jutted out into the room and had the door in it ... (i gotta get some photos scanned some year ...) � (it was 6' tall + sat on 1' blocks � walls were 5', 4', 4', 3', + the door/wall was 2') : anyway ~ frame was 2x2's ... solid floor, bottom 18 or 24" of walls solid to cut down on drafts in winter time ... the wall that was going to be against the outside wall of the house was also solid + i put 2 layers of old blanket between the 2 walls for insulation (the wall of the house + the wall of the enc.) ... seal the wood with polyurethane *before* putting it together ~ moisture proofs it + makes it easier to keep clean + sanitary � (make sure that it has time to air out before letting the ig inside it or the fumes will be deadly!!!) : <b>*Plastic* mesh</b> is the way to go IMHO ~ a zillion times easier to work with cuz you can cut it with scissors + *not* scratch the heck out of yourself stretching it to the frame ... no sharps edges for the IG to get hurt on either! i used black which is basically invisible when you're done and used the 1" hole size ... *yes* it is strong enough! iZ still has ramps + shelves made out of it in his room and it's withstood all of his jumping + leaping at it without a single prob for 3 years now ... by making the majority of the sides out of mesh, you give the ig as many climbing surfaces as possible + that's a good thing ... : ceiling ~ "cross beams" of 2x2's outside of the mesh to support the light fixtures on � by putting these 'beams' on *top* of the frame of the enc., you are also raising them more out of reach of inquisitive toes + tongues � depending on your heat source, you may want to use wire mesh for the top of the enclosure � : warmth ~ a *major* consideration if you live where it gets cold � me + iZ *do* � : plexiglass is one solution ~ cover the outside of the mesh with it � prob with that is that it's gonna be hard to clean the "snalt" (sneezed salt) off of it � plexi is kinda pricey too ~ glass is cheaper but A LOT heavier and not as easy to work with ~ also more hazardous since it's breakable � prob'ly wanna go with plexi if this is gonna be a Long-Term thing � (iZ only used his for a year � ) � if you're not sure and/or saving up for plexi: I used that clear plastic that you use to 'winterize' windows to seal it up � works *really* good!!!! you use a blow dryer to shrink-wrap it so it's tight and it's nice + clear � it won't last a real long time + you *will* need to re-do it periodically cuz ig toes will most likely tear a hole in it sooner or later � usually sooner! but it's an option � : heat is the biggie � and one of the reasons (along with size) that iZ got his own room � depending on where in the world you are and if you live in an old drafty house (like me), it can be a nightmare � but! I just read Mr. D's post on the radiant heat panels � definitely sounds like something to check out!!!!! anything I write on CHE's or heat lamps comes with an even LONGER paragraph on safety issues + warnings � : once the frame is completed, you want to add shelves + stuff � make 'em wide enough so the ig can sprawl � + remember they live in trees and so like to be UP (+ look down on you! ) : tree limbs + branches are appreciated + look nice as well � but that's another post in itself I think + your eyes are prob'ly tired by now � *grin* : very best wishes! : Bon. + iZ

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some answers ~ also *long*!

some answers ~ also long!