Smeagol's new home..

I upgraded Smeagol's home. He is in a "juvie" in between cage. The critter keeper made it to difficult to keep the humidity correct with that angled and fully vented lid. I was constantly covering and opening areas of that lid, taping stuff on and peeling it off. Plus I had to remove Smeagol and everything else to clean that Critter Keeper. I'm hoping to do spot cleaning without taking Smeagol out and a deep cleaning every other week or so. He is 12 grams now and eating and pooping, so I hope the stress of a new enclosure won't be to much for him...I like how it turned out but I will probably never see him again..haha. Please disregard the thermometer. The probes weren't in place yet and I hadn't misted yet. Smeagol wasn't in there yet, either. The light is only for showing off purpose. It's rarely on. He has a cork bark hide on the bottom as well as some areas of moss on the Coco substrate. Then he has that coconut as a high up hide with moist moss inside. Feeder on bottom and one high up. The higher up one will be upgraded to a double Feeder as well, so both bottom and upper one will have food and water.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0a851d7ea0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...02eb38cb13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7643f50661.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...762b19449b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1baef64bd8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7f3941e9a3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3ab153fc7a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d51ce70248.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ef9f09b7e4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...73247e4952.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4c7ca0ca02.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b101ba5e1c.jpg


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Wow, that looks beautiful. :gj:

Man, I wish I were creative enough to make a setup like that. That looks swanky as heck.

On a side note, I was very confused as to why your substrate looked like spaghetti until I realized I was looking at carpet. [emoji23]

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Originally Posted by Lirenn

Man, I wish I were creative enough to make a setup like that. That looks swanky as heck.

On a side note, I was very confused as to why your substrate looked like spaghetti until I realized I was looking at carpet. [emoji23]

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LOL...Smeagol loves his shagg!


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My work area...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4c12d87f8a.jpg


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Looks beautiful!!

Looks good. And hey, what gauge is that? That looks pretty sweet. Would go onto Pat's set up great.

Awesome!

I saw a few cresties at the local reptile shop today getting nail clippers for Frank. They are soooooo cute!

I didn't know you had geckos too Zina!!! That new set up looks like a mini tree house in the jungle...Very cool!

So anyways!!! Zina, you never did tell me what temp/humidity gauge that is. I like it.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

So anyways!!! Zina, you never did tell me what temp/humidity gauge that is. I like it.

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Sorry, just got home and hate trying to find links and whatnot on the phone. Here it is on Amazon, its being sold under different names, but its always the same. I have 2 of them, one failed within a few months, but the other one has been going strong ! Also used them in my incubator..

https://www.amazon.com/ETHMEAS-Therm...G802VVM9BFE8J9


I ordered a backup Accurite to use inside of the enclosure, but I kind of like having one on the outside and only the probes inside.. :)

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Originally Posted by zina10

Sorry, just got home and hate trying to find links and whatnot on the phone. Here it is on Amazon, its being sold under different names, but its always the same. I have 2 of them, one failed within a few months, but the other one has been going strong ! Also used them in my incubator..

https://www.amazon.com/ETHMEAS-Therm...G802VVM9BFE8J9


I ordered a backup Accurite to use inside of the enclosure, but I kind of like having one on the outside and only the probes inside.. :)

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Thanks. Yeah i use the Acurites now and had my first failure. The display started missing sections on it. Of course its the one from Rango's cage which is the least destroyed one. Caesar pushes his into his water bowl twice, poops on it, pisses on it and it still is going strong lol.

And yeah, i do like the idea of just a probe inside the cage for the reasons stated above haha.

Smeagol is one spoiled gecko!!! how much bigger is this enclosure from the critter keeper? and how big do you plan on going? just curious. [emoji4]

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

Smeagol is one spoiled gecko!!! how much bigger is this enclosure from the critter keeper? and how big do you plan on going? just curious. [emoji4]

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This Exo Terra cage is 12 inches wide and deep and 18 inches high. I think the Critter Keeper was 11 inches wide, 8 deep and 8 high or so ? It just made maintenance a nightmare.

After I put Smeagol into his new home he disappeared. I could literally not see him and I bet he liked that, haha. But...now he is out in the open, way up high in the left corner. Watching me. I wonder whether he is braver because he is "above" me? He never stayed out facing me like that, before.

I hope he will settle in quickly, I hate the thought of the small animals being terrified..


Oh, forgot to say, adults are usually kept in Exo Terras that are 18 inches wide and deep and 24 inches high. I didn't want to overwhelm him with a giant enclosure since he's been in really small ones up to now, though..

Here he is now. In the upper left corner...just watching me. [emoji4] He has never done this before while lights were on. Sorry about all the reflections. There is no light on over his enclosure either, that is a reflection of the ceiling light.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ff3d5b8ce5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d60038726f.jpg


And a picture from when I moved him...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7bef21343d.jpg


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And...He found his favorite spot. Each morning I find him in the same plant. The cool thing about it is that it is in full view to me. He must not be feeling to unsecure because there are areas in that cage where he would be far more hidden.


Where's the Gecko? [emoji2]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...781ce8dc49.jpg


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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...37dba86071.jpg


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His new enclosure looks fantastic Zina!!! I thought the critter keeper was great, but this takes it to another level. You've got a great eye for viv design!

Sneaky little guy! [emoji4]


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You know, I bet you could design and sell decorated reptile enclosures.

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Looks great, Zina! Congrats on your new little friend! :)

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Originally Posted by Lirenn

You know, I bet you could design and sell decorated reptile enclosures.

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I've seen some pictures of Viv's that put mine to shame ! LOL. But I think I did well with what I had on hand. Eventually I would like to go Bio Active, once he gets his permanent home ( a bit bigger then this one )

Thanks for the compliment :)

That's gorgeous!!

Looks awesome Zina. Smeagol is stepping in tall cotton now. :)

He still likes to hang out in his favorite corner. I love it because he is in full view [emoji4]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2f5c11c816.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...be040c55ac.jpg


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Originally Posted by zina10

He still likes to hang out in his favorite corner. I love it because he is in full view [emoji4]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2f5c11c816.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...be040c55ac.jpg

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happy friday, Smeagol!!! :aww:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

This Exo Terra cage is 12 inches wide and deep and 18 inches high. I think the Critter Keeper was 11 inches wide, 8 deep and 8 high or so ? It just made maintenance a nightmare.

After I put Smeagol into his new home he disappeared. I could literally not see him and I bet he liked that, haha. But...now he is out in the open, way up high in the left corner. Watching me. I wonder whether he is braver because he is "above" me? He never stayed out facing me like that, before.

I hope he will settle in quickly, I hate the thought of the small animals being terrified..


Oh, forgot to say, adults are usually kept in Exo Terras that are 18 inches wide and deep and 24 inches high. I didn't want to overwhelm him with a giant enclosure since he's been in really small ones up to now, though..

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that thing is DOPE!! Wow I kinda want to play in there it’s making me think Peter Pan and the lost Boys all the way!!!

the local folk told me this size cage is good forever. Hmmm I mean it is what it is. I started my guy in the same type.

Irs really a thing of art. Like look at that on your desk. How do you get anything done sitting there ???

ive always felt natural enclosures and aquariums are living breathing masterpieces I’d take one any day over some fancy painting. I get everyone has their own taste and animals need care but to me having stunning set ups makes it just jaw dropping.

ET says he feels mad ghetto in his minimal cage now... I guess I need some sprucing !!!

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

that thing is DOPE!! Wow I kinda want to play in there it’s making me think Peter Pan and the lost Boys all the way!!!

the local folk told me this size cage is good forever. Hmmm I mean it is what it is. I started my guy in the same type.

Irs really a thing of art. Like look at that on your desk. How do you get anything done sitting there ???

ive always felt natural enclosures and aquariums are living breathing masterpieces I’d take one any day over some fancy painting. I get everyone has their own taste and animals need care but to me having stunning set ups makes it just jaw dropping.

ET says he feels mad ghetto in his minimal cage now... I guess I need some sprucing !!!

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You should be a writer. You really have a gift, you always make me laugh :)

I've heard both, that this cage could be a forever home, and then some say the next size up is better.
If you were to go "bio active" I suppose the next size up would be better. I've seen some jaw dropping bio active Viv's, it really is tempting to go that route, but then I have to find another spot for the tank, it won't fit on the desk anymore as it will need to be bigger and have a light.

For now I enjoy what I have, and you are so right, its living art!! My favorite kind :) I feel the same way about the snakes. If I could have had one of my beautiful Ball Pythons draped in a tree on my desk, I would go for that, haha. But I don't think they would be very happy with that.

This little Gecko dude seems perfectly happy there. Its not a "high stress" area, I usually just quietly sit here doing some work or sneaking on the forums throughout the day. And yes, I find myself staring at him, rather then doing much of anything else, haha. I just posted another thread and mentioned how difficult it is to get anything done when I could be watching him watching me instead ;)

Setting up that tank was actually super easy. I got some ideas on forums, mainly the hanging coconut. I wanted a piece of wood that looked like a tree, so I took a chance and ordered driftwood on amazon. As well as that coconut and a couple of fake plants with suction cups, as well as some moss and a piece of cork bark. My luck that piece of drift wood did fit and after a bit of turning it around and around I found which position works best. So I put in substrate then the tree. After that I tucked in some wet moss here and there. The cork bark went into a corner as a "bottom hide" with some moss behind it. The coconut has rope from top and bottom of the ladder. I just fed the top rope out the lid and down the back of the tank. A suction cup holds it in place so its suspended. Then I draped the bottom rope around the driftwood. Some moss inside of the coconut. After that i simply stuck a plant on each side and draped the long pieces around the wood and along the sides of the tank. Added food ledges and DONE! 10 mins ;) Tricky part is juts to find sticks or wood that fits, the rest is just playing around with it..

I'm glad ET is settling in so well for you. I'm always drooling over those super dalmations !!! They look STUNNING as adults !! Why don't I get Geckos for my birthday???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

You should be a writer. You really have a gift, you always make me laugh :)

I've heard both, that this cage could be a forever home, and then some say the next size up is better.
If you were to go "bio active" I suppose the next size up would be better. I've seen some jaw dropping bio active Viv's, it really is tempting to go that route, but then I have to find another spot for the tank, it won't fit on the desk anymore as it will need to be bigger and have a light.

For now I enjoy what I have, and you are so right, its living art!! My favorite kind :) I feel the same way about the snakes. If I could have had one of my beautiful Ball Pythons draped in a tree on my desk, I would go for that, haha. But I don't think they would be very happy with that.

This little Gecko dude seems perfectly happy there. Its not a "high stress" area, I usually just quietly sit here doing some work or sneaking on the forums throughout the day. And yes, I find myself staring at him, rather then doing much of anything else, haha. I just posted another thread and mentioned how difficult it is to get anything done when I could be watching him watching me instead ;)

Setting up that tank was actually super easy. I got some ideas on forums, mainly the hanging coconut. I wanted a piece of wood that looked like a tree, so I took a chance and ordered driftwood on amazon. As well as that coconut and a couple of fake plants with suction cups, as well as some moss and a piece of cork bark. My luck that piece of drift wood did fit and after a bit of turning it around and around I found which position works best. So I put in substrate then the tree. After that I tucked in some wet moss here and there. The cork bark went into a corner as a "bottom hide" with some moss behind it. The coconut has rope from top and bottom of the ladder. I just fed the top rope out the lid and down the back of the tank. A suction cup holds it in place so its suspended. Then I draped the bottom rope around the driftwood. Some moss inside of the coconut. After that i simply stuck a plant on each side and draped the long pieces around the wood and along the sides of the tank. Added food ledges and DONE! 10 mins ;) Tricky part is juts to find sticks or wood that fits, the rest is just playing around with it..

I'm glad ET is settling in so well for you. I'm always drooling over those super dalmations !!! They look STUNNING as adults !! Why don't I get Geckos for my birthday???

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That’s really nice and sweet of you. I do write at times and used to a lot more. I have wayyyy more time on my hands now and have a few burning ideas for children’s books and series and cartoons I want to do and create. Hey maybe one day I’ll sell something to nickoldoean or Disney and I’ll take you all on vacation! Or better yet build a zoo at my house and have everyone over for a big sleep over!!

You make it sound all easy breezy yea a little of this and that ten minutes later master piece. Uh huh uh huh riiiight. I just battled a piece of cork bark for ten min alone after your tank inspired me to make a ledge. I think two more suction plants and maybe a space ship and ET will have a nice home. Maybe I’ll get fake Reese’s pieces and make a trail around the glass cause we all know ET gobbles those Reese’s!!!

I have to say although taken back and stressed at first. What a damn cool bday gift from someone I never met lol. Maybe my writing is getting me places !!! Hahah

Yea I started googling and ooooogling these Dalmatians. I mean this dude could have sent me some normal run of the mill gecko and it would have been hella cool. This guy sent me something that could be a dang STUNNA!


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I take that vacation, LOL !!!

Take your time with the tank and have fun with it ;) Rome wasn't built in one day, either, haha.

Look at those Dalmations, gorgeous, aren't they?

pictures not mine, taken off the net..

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...5a873a67a7.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...32604443_n.jpg


and here is Smeagol, keeping his eye on me to make sure I'm not gonna stick him into that stinkin' Deli cup anymore...lol

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...73404901_n.jpg

Actually I think he's trying to watch and see if you're picking out a dalmation gf for him
:D:P

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Actually I think he's trying to watch and see if you're picking out a dalmation gf for him
:D:P

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Its not even funny how tempting this is, LOL.

Gosh, why don't I just buy a private zoo and move in. Might as well... :rolleyes: