Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

jim_radley

I just wondered if anyone houses different reptile species together?
I house Baja Rock lizards with my Desert horned lizard and they co-exist perfectly happily.
I know people that have had Desert Iguanas, Chuckwallas, Desert Horned Lizards, Swifts, Fringe toed lizards, Night lizards and Rosy Boas in a 10'x2'x18" vivarium. It's a amazing sight, and there is no problems as they have all been housed with all the others for at least 18 months with no weight loss. The back wall has a cliff that stretches 6' fall out caves and crevices. There are loads cacti, grasses and aloe vera looking plants which some of the Desert horned lizards climb on. I aim to do something on a slightly smaller scale with Chuckwallas, Desert iguanas and maybe some Swifts or Collards.

Scott W · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:26 am Post subject:

Hi Jim,

as much as it is often 'frowned' upon, I don't see a problem with mixing 'the right' species together. I used to mix day geckos with anoles and mantellas, this worked very well.

I'd love to see a photo of that 10ft viv?

Obviously mixing species in a small viv can lead to problems, so it's not recommend to begininers etc but once people have learnt the basics and understand what each species needs, finding the right animals to house together is fairly simple.
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Sonny Hynes · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:36 am Post subject:

That 10 foot vivarium sounds great! I've heard of many people housing different species of lizards together but i've never heard of anyone housing that many species of lizard and snakes before. I'm sooo jealous! Have you got any pics of it?

Dan · Captivebred Communist Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 1306

I have a comunity vivarium, it has been up and running since last christmas.
It used to contain:
5 lined skinks, golden geckos, palm geckos, basalisks, aussie water dragons, white spot gecko's and golden flying tree frogs.

We started off in a 3x2x2 viv for about a month or so to make sure that everyone could survive happily together in close quarters.
This was then upgraded to a 4x2x5 viv that is still used now.

Unfortunately due to WC animals, and severe MBD in the male AWD we are now only left with:
golden geckos, palm geckos, basalisks, white spot gecko's and golden flying tree frogs.

These all live happily together with no fighting issues although we think the male basalisk ate a white spot gecko baby Confused

The animals in there provide 24hr entertainment in different areas of the viv (be it on the walls, floor or on a shelf)

It is a project that i think should be tried by more people before they blindly condemn it.
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Sonny Hynes · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:36 am Post subject:

Sounds like a great viv!

jim_radley · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:06 pm Post subject:

Next time I go to the Isle of Wight to see this lad, I'll take some photos to show you. The viv is some how made of 2x 5' pieces, so if he ever moves, it will separate into two 5'x2'x18" pieces with both having a open end.

He got the idea from http://www.rexlee.com/SecretEnvironments/vivaria.html This site is amazing, especially the tropical vivarium they have in their home with several Poison Darts, Pygmy Chameleons, Reed frogs, Rough green snake etc... It's a website you must look at!

Scott W · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:09 pm Post subject:

Jim, that link doesn't work Sad

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jim_radley · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:34 pm Post subject:

It works now Scott.

Scott W · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject:

that is a great website Jim, well done for sharing.

I really do think community vivs are great, infact while working in a shop I used to promote the idea. We used to have a large display with several mixed species and then customers would buy the same viv and every few weeks would add a different species.

I know arthur cooke (don't think he's a member here - yet) has a extremely large mixed species ROOM, fully planted. He is passionate about it, never seen it but it sounds great.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

JStroud · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 4:15 pm Post subject:

Would love to see that Scott sounds awesome, I'm a fan for large mixed species vivariums as long as its done in the right way with the right species Wink