Out Door Viv

[Sid]

Well after only two years of thought...... I'm finally starting an out-door enclosure for a few of my Eastrn Garters. The idea for the construction came from an "above the ground" fish pond my son recently aquired. The front, back, and sides will be constructed of 2" x 4" lumber, cut to desired lengths and all held together with dowel pins. Sound odd??? Below is a photo of the pond to give you an idea of the general construction.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/Pond.JPG

I'll keep all of you posted on the progress. At this point I have only cut the 2x4's to the length I'll be making the enclosure and am now drilling the many holes required for the dowel pins.

[jeanette]

sounds really interesting. :) im looking forward to seeing how it turns out

[adamanteus]

I'll be following this one closely, Sid. Sounds good.

[drache]

can't wait to see
how large will it be and will it be enclosed on the bottom?
and - will they be in it year-round?

[anji1971]

It looks like a really neat idea, Sid, and it will make a very attractive addition to your backyard when it's done!:)

[Sid]

To answer a few of the questions raised to this point:
Rough measurments will be 66 inches long by 36 inches deep by 36 inches high. It will have a very heavy guage stainless steel screen bottom for drainage. Lid will be made of the same screen material.

It will be constructed so that I will be able to move it either into the crawl space under my house or into my reptile room during winter months, which ever I decide.

[adamanteus]

Won't it be really heavy to move, Sid? Or will it dismantle?

[Sid]

Won't it be really heavy to move, Sid? Or will it dismantle?
Yep, it will be heavy and it can be dismantled by taking it apart one layer at a time, but I'm working on a couple of ideas so that it can be move intact by only my 100 pound self:)

[Snake lover 3-25]

cool the temps are too unpredictable at my house for that to work though.....:(:(:(:(

[Gijs & Sabine]

I've seen some outdoor enclosures and it's great to have one :) Unfortunately we don't have enough space, but I'm looking forward to see pics of your viv, Sid.

[reptileparadise]

I'll be following this one Sid!

[Lori P]

I can't wait to see it, Sid! Sounds like a great plan. :-)

[Stefan-A]

Very interesting project, Sid. :)

[Sid]

Well here's the fruits of my labor at the end of week #1.Completed cutting all the 2x4's to length, drilled the last of the 320 dowel holes, inserted all the dowel pins and have the front, back and sides assembled:
Yours truly drilling the final hole:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//606/Viv-2.JPG

A shot to this point:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//606/Viv-4.JPG

A closeup of the drilling. It shows my home-made doweling jig:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//606/Viv-1.JPG

[Zephyr]

Hmm. Nice. So what kind of substrate will you be using?

[Sid]

Hmm. Nice. So what kind of substrate will you be using?
Cypress mulch.

[Zephyr]

Cypress mulch.Aww, why not sphagnum moss? D:

[Sid]

Aww, why not sphagnum moss? D:
The Cypress give a nice natural look, I've been useing it for the past two years with no problems. Why switch now?

[Zephyr]

The Cypress give a nice natural look, I've been useing it for the past two years with no problems. Why switch now?Point taken. :P
I guess it's a matter of preference. I wonder which one's cheaper via net weight...

[jeanette]

Its starting to look really good :) how are you going to manage heating? i should imagine the temperature will be fine in the summer but what about the rest of the year?

[Sid]

Its starting to look really good :) how are you going to manage heating? i should imagine the temperature will be fine in the summer but what about the rest of the year?

I'll probably incorporate a heat lamp for any overly cool times as we do get some rather cool nights in later fall and early spring. During the winter I plan to move it to my garage for them to burmate.

[jeanette]

I'll probably incorporate a heat lamp for any overly cool times as we do get some rather cool nights in later fall and early spring. During the winter I plan to move it to my garage for them to burmate.
sounds like a really good plan :)

[Sid]

Well, more to do but getting closer to a finished product. All thats left on the general construction is adding the top. Here's a photo of what it looks like now. The "glass" in the front is Lexan with a 30% tint.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//606/Finished_front-1.jpg

[Lori P]

Wow, Sid... it's looking GREAT. I belive you may have a career touring the country and making these for all of us... you can start here. I'm a little tight on funds right now so I'll trade you in chickens, ducks, and ornery goats. And what the heck, I'll throw in an evil neighbor, too!!

[Sid]

Wow, Sid... it's looking GREAT. I belive you may have a career touring the country and making these for all of us... you can start here. I'm a little tight on funds right now so I'll trade you in chickens, ducks, and ornery goats. And what the heck, I'll throw in an evil neighbor, too!!
Lori, from some your other post that I've read, think I'll pass on the evil neighbor. Already have one of my own:mad:.

[Lori P]

Sid, you should ALWAYS have a matched pair. Misery loving company and all that. Hey... maybe these boxes of yours have another purpose!! Can they contain nasty neighbors?? LOL

Is the bottom made of wood also??

[Stefan-A]

Looks very promising, Sid. :)

[enigma200316]

Looks very promising, Sid. :)


I agree with Stefan, very nice looking Sid.............:)

[Sid]

Thanks for the comments.

Lori, How about, I hand deliver this box to you ......complete with my nasty neighbor??:D

[drache]

it looks great, Sid

[Sid]

Well, despite the temps here being over 100 degrees F. today, most of the work on the top of the viv is complete and it's installed. From the underside of the top I have installed a sun screen. The top side of the lid will be covered with 1/4 inch hardware cloth to keep predators out.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//606/06-08-2.jpg

Here's a view showing where it's presently located in the yard. To the right is our Koi pond, its on our patio and one of the butterfly gardens in to the front of it.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//606/06-08-1.jpg
Now to monitor the inside temps and see if I need either relocate it to a shadier spot or try some way to cool it prior to adding any of the Garters.

[jeanette]

that looks fantastic, im so jealous.......you gonna come to the uk and build one for me? oh damn i forgot english weather is too **** to allow me to have one.
but it really is a fantastic idea, wish i could have something like that

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow!! make me one??????:D:D

[drache]

I just realized - I have to make outdoor enclosures for my lizards asap
I cannot justify heating tanks in a room where I've got an AC running, when it's the perfect temp for them outside

[Loren]

Thats really neat Sid.
If its too hot inside, maybe you can add cross flow ventilation, and maybe make hides (with plastic pipes or something) that go deep under the substrate, and check temps in their too, so they might have a retreat for the really hot days. Just make sure there is a way to access them in the hides if you need to check on them.

[Sid]

Thats really neat Sid.
If its too hot inside, maybe you can add cross flow ventilation, and maybe make hides (with plastic pipes or something) that go deep under the substrate, and check temps in their too, so they might have a retreat for the really hot days. Just make sure there is a way to access them in the hides if you need to check on them.
I have added a small "exhaust" fan in the upper part of the back and relocated the viv to a shelter comming off my garage. Temps are now maxing out at 89 to 90 degrees F. So, now to start adding inside decoratios, hids, etc and load it up.

[Sid]

OK. I now have most of the inside setup and here are a couple of photos. This one is the first resident:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//606/Viv_inhabited.jpg

[reptileparadise]

It looks very nice Sid, well done!
I guess the snakes are going to enjoy this!

[Sid]

It looks very nice Sid, well done!
I guess the snakes are going to enjoy this!
I certainly hope they enjoy it. Here's a little better shot of the inside. There's fake vines and limbs for some climbing, plants and other items for hides.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//606/Inside_left.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

very neat!!!!!:D:D:D

Build me one???

[crzy_kevo]

wow sid this thing is amazing. How many garters will you be adding to it?

[el lobo]

Beautiful! You sure know what you're doing! Way to go!

[Sid]

Thanks for the nice words. I currently have 3 adult male Eastern Garters in it.

[zooplan]

I´ve missed this theard.
Thanks to James for his hint and link.
What´s about and update, Sid?

[Sid]

I've missed this theard.
Thanks to James for his hint and link.
What´s about and update, Sid?
Udo here a link to all the photos of the viv in my gallery:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showgallery.php?cat=606&page=1

I now have to start another one. I let my son talk me out of this one for his ball pythons.

I used sun screen material on the under side of the lid and wire mesh over that to keep out preditors. The bottom is a very heavy stainless steel screen wire. Any questions feel free to ask.

[Lori P]

{Pout} Gosh, Sid, how selfish... to pick your son over ME... now I insist you come here RIGHT NOW and make me one. ;):D

[Sid]

{Pout} Gosh, Sid, how selfish... to pick your son over ME... now I insist you come here RIGHT NOW and make me one. ;):D
Gosh Lori, I completely forgot that I was to ship it to you (complete with grouchy neighbor).:(

[Lori P]

Oh. Ahhh... you know... never mind. You keep the grouchy neighbor. Really. I'm swamped in grouchy neighbors. I'm up to HERE with grouchy neighbors!!!!