After looking for some time, we finally found our Memphis at one of our local reptile shows on April 7th. He is a blue bar Ambilobe, hatched December 17 2011. We were able to get the size and coloring that we were looking for.
The plan from the start was to be DIY as much as possible. Not so much because of funding but more because I like to personalize everything. I made his cage of aluminum angle stock, and aluminum screen. Its very sturdy. I left the bottom of the cage open so I could have all of the live plants actually planted instead of in pots. The potting box underneath is 9" deep and 24X36 and filled with vermiculite. The cage is 24X36X48. We have had a gardenia planted from the start. Due to the weather and being early spring we have not been able to get many tropical plants yet. Yesterday I was able to pick up a hibiscus plant and get it planted. This takes care of the first 2.5 vertical feet of the cage. Now I'm just waiting for a taller hibiscus tree to fill in the upper section. I also have many vines and branches. I use mercury vapor in the front for basking, and a 36" 5.0 bulb at the rear for wider UV coverage. With this many plants the cage is getting rather dim so I will be adding 6500k lights soon.
His first shedding was this week, 3 weeks after he came home. His looking great. Curious little personality so far. I hope it keeps up. More to come.
The plan from the start was to be DIY as much as possible. Not so much because of funding but more because I like to personalize everything. I made his cage of aluminum angle stock, and aluminum screen. Its very sturdy. I left the bottom of the cage open so I could have all of the live plants actually planted instead of in pots. The potting box underneath is 9" deep and 24X36 and filled with vermiculite. The cage is 24X36X48. We have had a gardenia planted from the start. Due to the weather and being early spring we have not been able to get many tropical plants yet. Yesterday I was able to pick up a hibiscus plant and get it planted. This takes care of the first 2.5 vertical feet of the cage. Now I'm just waiting for a taller hibiscus tree to fill in the upper section. I also have many vines and branches. I use mercury vapor in the front for basking, and a 36" 5.0 bulb at the rear for wider UV coverage. With this many plants the cage is getting rather dim so I will be adding 6500k lights soon.
His first shedding was this week, 3 weeks after he came home. His looking great. Curious little personality so far. I hope it keeps up. More to come.
