Hey all,
I'm approaching time to deal with my first panther laying situation and just wanted to get some advice on laying bin setups, in particular in regards to privacy VS size
First, to put my setup into perspective because it is NOT normal.....
1) I free-range my male and female.
2) This is their "enclosure": https://plus.google.com/photos/1101...s/5647652851478928897?authkey=CJ-1sdnW0KCejAE (Note: it is still being improved/etc but is currently 3'x3'x7')
They also have a 2nd "free-range station" across from that with another heat/uvb bulb that I have recently setup that I don't have pics of yet.
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OK, Now to my laying bin....
OPTION 1: I currently have a large planter filled with playsand (12" diameter, 18" tall) at the "2nd" free-range station (that I don't have pics of). On top of this planter is a smaller planter with a small hibiscus that allows "access" to the playsand and that leads to the rest of the free-range area.
However, this bin is "exposed" to the world and it is not practical for me to cover it up any more than placing the hibiscus/etc around it to cover it up (which does not do much).
OPTION 2: If you look at the album of the setup posted above, you will see that the side wall opens and there are planters inside. Currently, I have soil with plants in various planters (as well as a cricket feeding bin) down there. It is nice and dark and very secluded below, and because of the access, I can easily insert/removing a laying bin here.
However, this bin would be limited to a size of 8" across, 12" deep maximum.
OPTION 3: If both of these are insufficient, I can provide (but would rather avoid) a large 12x24" planter hidden around the corner behind the larger enclosure (this would be larger planter+seclusion/darkness) but I prefer to avoid this scenario as it blocks my access to the electronics and I don't like her being around there in general.
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I want to emphasize that I am offering options 1 and 2 for now, but I am just trying to see if I need to "improve" to option 3 if neither of these suffice. In general, I am trying to get a deeper understanding to the requirements of female panthers and egg-laying.
So, a few questions....
1) Is 8" diameter x 12" depth too small for a viable laying bin?
2) Is the fact that the larger pot is exposed going to inhibit her from using it?
3) Why do most people suggest playsand? Is it purely for ease/keeper comfort? Is there a chemical reason people avoid soils/ferts? Is it the texture (would they lay in, say sphagnum moss)? I know coco-coir can also be used (as nature there'd be "soil" anyway) but I'm trying to hone in on IDEAL conditions....sorry that was more than one question but I'm trying to find actual science/facts on point here if anyone could direct me
4) Just how moist should the bin be? "just moist enough" to hold up to tunnelling, or "somewhat moist" so that I can squeeze some water out of it? Because of my misting system, the sand in the automated enclosure is pretty wet, while the one in the outer setup (that I hand water) is on the drier side. Just how much does this matter?
5) Any other relevant factors to ideal egg-laying sites, particularly with considerations to enclosed environments?
I would appreciate the most scientific/technical the answers possible. Thank you!
I'm approaching time to deal with my first panther laying situation and just wanted to get some advice on laying bin setups, in particular in regards to privacy VS size
First, to put my setup into perspective because it is NOT normal.....
1) I free-range my male and female.
2) This is their "enclosure": https://plus.google.com/photos/1101...s/5647652851478928897?authkey=CJ-1sdnW0KCejAE (Note: it is still being improved/etc but is currently 3'x3'x7')
They also have a 2nd "free-range station" across from that with another heat/uvb bulb that I have recently setup that I don't have pics of yet.
-----------------------------------
OK, Now to my laying bin....
OPTION 1: I currently have a large planter filled with playsand (12" diameter, 18" tall) at the "2nd" free-range station (that I don't have pics of). On top of this planter is a smaller planter with a small hibiscus that allows "access" to the playsand and that leads to the rest of the free-range area.
However, this bin is "exposed" to the world and it is not practical for me to cover it up any more than placing the hibiscus/etc around it to cover it up (which does not do much).
OPTION 2: If you look at the album of the setup posted above, you will see that the side wall opens and there are planters inside. Currently, I have soil with plants in various planters (as well as a cricket feeding bin) down there. It is nice and dark and very secluded below, and because of the access, I can easily insert/removing a laying bin here.
However, this bin would be limited to a size of 8" across, 12" deep maximum.
OPTION 3: If both of these are insufficient, I can provide (but would rather avoid) a large 12x24" planter hidden around the corner behind the larger enclosure (this would be larger planter+seclusion/darkness) but I prefer to avoid this scenario as it blocks my access to the electronics and I don't like her being around there in general.
--------------
I want to emphasize that I am offering options 1 and 2 for now, but I am just trying to see if I need to "improve" to option 3 if neither of these suffice. In general, I am trying to get a deeper understanding to the requirements of female panthers and egg-laying.
So, a few questions....
1) Is 8" diameter x 12" depth too small for a viable laying bin?
2) Is the fact that the larger pot is exposed going to inhibit her from using it?
3) Why do most people suggest playsand? Is it purely for ease/keeper comfort? Is there a chemical reason people avoid soils/ferts? Is it the texture (would they lay in, say sphagnum moss)? I know coco-coir can also be used (as nature there'd be "soil" anyway) but I'm trying to hone in on IDEAL conditions....sorry that was more than one question but I'm trying to find actual science/facts on point here if anyone could direct me
4) Just how moist should the bin be? "just moist enough" to hold up to tunnelling, or "somewhat moist" so that I can squeeze some water out of it? Because of my misting system, the sand in the automated enclosure is pretty wet, while the one in the outer setup (that I hand water) is on the drier side. Just how much does this matter?
5) Any other relevant factors to ideal egg-laying sites, particularly with considerations to enclosed environments?
I would appreciate the most scientific/technical the answers possible. Thank you!
