Edited repost concerning nesting box/it's still long also

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Iguana03 on March 09, 1999 at 16:22:47:

In Reply to: egg laying and binding--help! posted by Meggy's Mom on March 09, 1999 at 14:35:18:

Hi,

I will describe the box that worked for me one year. The following year Kiwi reabsorbed and the next she was spayed. Note that reabsorbtion is dangerous within itself.

I will assume that she is an average sized Ig of around 4 feet. The box should be as large as possible but at least 30" tall, 36" long, and as wide as will fit through the door. It should be framed on the outside, rather than inside (I used 2X2s). It may be made from plywood but I don't recommend it. A better choice would be a smooth material such as melamine but with a bottom of plywood. All joints inside should be sealed with epoxy or builders glue. If the inside is rough or has gaps where it is pieced together, she may damage her toes and pull out nails. Mine broke two toes and pulled out one nail as well as rubbing some other toes to the bone the first year. Ouch! That box was made from plywood.

The access can be provided with a ramp. Or if you cover the box, as many recommend, a 6" piece of PVC pipe may be ran in on the side at the top. If you do this you will need to glue carpet or wood strips on the inside of the pipe so she can climb up it. If you use the ramp you can still cover it by leaving a 5" gap at one end.

The box should be filled to at least 24" of builder's sand but play sand will do. The sand should be mixed with sphagnum moss but not too much. It should be kept warm and moist but not wet. It is easier if you moisten the sand before or as you put it in. Temperatures should be in the mid 80s. If you place the box on small blocks you can make sure you are not keeping it too wet by watching the bottom for seepage. You will need to maintain the moisture by spraying and mixing every day or two.

It should be placed in a quite area that she likes to hang out in. She may dig for days and make quite a mess, throwing sand everywhere. Do not disturb her when she is doing her thing. I always left a night light on for Kiwi if she was excavating. I would recommend placing newspaper or plastic around the area if you use the open box.

If she lays she will appear to be the face of death. Soooooooooo skinny but will recover over a few months if everything goes right.

If I can be of further assistance let me know and keep us posted. Good Luck, Iguana03

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Hi, : I will describe the box that worked for me one year. The following year Kiwi reabsorbed and the next she was spayed. Note that reabsorbtion is dangerous within itself. : I will assume that she is an average sized Ig of around 4 feet. The box should be as large as possible but at least 30" tall, 36" long, and as wide as will fit through the door. It should be framed on the outside, rather than inside (I used 2X2s). It may be made from plywood but I don't recommend it. A better choice would be a smooth material such as melamine but with a bottom of plywood. All joints inside should be sealed with epoxy or builders glue. If the inside is rough or has gaps where it is pieced together, she may damage her toes and pull out nails. Mine broke two toes and pulled out one nail as well as rubbing some other toes to the bone the first year. Ouch! That box was made from plywood. : The access can be provided with a ramp. Or if you cover the box, as many recommend, a 6" piece of PVC pipe may be ran in on the side at the top. If you do this you will need to glue carpet or wood strips on the inside of the pipe so she can climb up it. If you use the ramp you can still cover it by leaving a 5" gap at one end. : The box should be filled to at least 24" of builder's sand but play sand will do. The sand should be mixed with sphagnum moss but not too much. It should be kept warm and moist but not wet. It is easier if you moisten the sand before or as you put it in. Temperatures should be in the mid 80s. If you place the box on small blocks you can make sure you are not keeping it too wet by watching the bottom for seepage. You will need to maintain the moisture by spraying and mixing every day or two. : It should be placed in a quite area that she likes to hang out in. She may dig for days and make quite a mess, throwing sand everywhere. Do not disturb her when she is doing her thing. I always left a night light on for Kiwi if she was excavating. I would recommend placing newspaper or plastic around the area if you use the open box. : If she lays she will appear to be the face of death. Soooooooooo skinny but will recover over a few months if everything goes right. : If I can be of further assistance let me know and keep us posted. Good Luck, Iguana03

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]