Ideas for an outdoor enclosure....and pic of my iguana. (long)

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Posted by JasonZ on November 28, 1998 at 16:47:42:

Meet Gus, a 4 year old male.

Hi again,

Perhaps I can blame it on the latest issue of Reptiles magazine but I've been considering a new enclosure lately. He currently lives in a 6'H x 6'L x3'W plastic mesh cage. I am considering building a more self- contained unit on wheels for easy movement and one that could work equally well indoors and out. You see, I live in central Oklahoma and I feel I am wasting an opportunity to keep my pet outdoors for most of the year. Summer daytime temps. are 95�-105� dropping to the mid 70�'s at night. We have a long season--heck it was 75� here today! I've tried to assemble a list of potential pitfalls--I hope some of you who keep your pets outdoors could help me solve these problems or suggest things that I've missed. BTW--anyone else keep their iguana outdoors in the Oklahoma area??

�I assume the enclosure would have to be reasonably sturdy, escape-proof and lockable.

�I was considering wire-mesh on all six sides--what gauge, type, etc.?

�How do you handle shaded areas to escape too much sunlight? Perhaps position it by a tree or the eaves of my home? Maybe an solid roof on half the cage?

�Should supplemental heat be included for cool days/nights or maybe I should just bring him indoors?

�What about storms and rain? Will a lifelong indoor captive freak out when he's out in the rain? Should I bring him in when it rains?

What have I missed? I'm going to start planning this soon and I thought some of you could help me brainstorm--sorry its so long!

Thanks as always,

Jason

Follow Ups:

My 2 cents....... Iguanamomma 11/30/98 (0)
Re: Ideas for an outdoor enclosure....and pic of my iguana. (long) dana 11/29/98 (0)
Re: Ideas for an outdoor enclosure....and pic of my iguana. (long) Roman 11/28/98 (0)

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: Meet Gus, a 4 year old male. : Hi again, : Perhaps I can blame it on the latest issue of Reptiles magazine but I've been considering a new enclosure lately. He currently lives in a 6'H x 6'L x3'W plastic mesh cage. I am considering building a more self- contained unit on wheels for easy movement and one that could work equally well indoors and out. You see, I live in central Oklahoma and I feel I am wasting an opportunity to keep my pet outdoors for most of the year. Summer daytime temps. are 95�-105� dropping to the mid 70�'s at night. We have a long season--heck it was 75� here today! I've tried to assemble a list of potential pitfalls--I hope some of you who keep your pets outdoors could help me solve these problems or suggest things that I've missed. BTW--anyone else keep their iguana outdoors in the Oklahoma area?? : �I assume the enclosure would have to be reasonably sturdy, escape-proof and lockable. : �I was considering wire-mesh on all six sides--what gauge, type, etc.? : �How do you handle shaded areas to escape too much sunlight? Perhaps position it by a tree or the eaves of my home? Maybe an solid roof on half the cage? : �Should supplemental heat be included for cool days/nights or maybe I should just bring him indoors? : �What about storms and rain? Will a lifelong indoor captive freak out when he's out in the rain? Should I bring him in when it rains? : What have I missed? I'm going to start planning this soon and I thought some of you could help me brainstorm--sorry its so long! : Thanks as always, : Jason

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