Rate my Viv

[Jack Reeman]

I've been working hard the last year to get a perfect Viv.

Right, so it's a 5ft x 4ft Viv, with a 12%uvb bulb and a 60W heat bulb. I have a basking platform for Spyro, and "cannabis" bedding for substrate. I have also made a rockery I'm the corner with some desert sand in it, so she can dig and bask.

Can you guys take a look and let me know if there is anything more I can add/improve?

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[Bobbi]

What is cannabis bedding? Lol

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[donprec]

I am so jealous of your ability to build to your own viv like that, great job!
One thing that I would recommend is a hammock. I used some kind of 3m or command type hooks to hold up the hammock in Precious's viv...it must be a good 1 ½ years now and they've never fallen down yet.
It's funny because I've bought so many things for Precious over the time that I've had her, things that were a waste of money and she wasn't interested in. Yet ironically, besides the hammock, her favorite thing is an item that she came here with from the person I adopted her from...a large, wide tree branch. It has a part that sticks up high and she always perches on that. It had to be pretty expensive too but considering all the money I wasted on other items, I probably could've bought 2 more of these kind of branches.
Her sleeping spots are either the hammock, perched high on that branch, or on the cork bark ramp to her basking spot...there seems to be a pattern of sleeping at that angle.
The cork bark was an accidental find, it was really my skink's. But I had washed it and had it out to dry. Precious came along and was very interested in it. When it dried, I'd put it in her cage (just to see if she really liked it because I would buy her one then) and she took over it so much that I let her have that one and had to go out and get another one for the skink, lol. I didn't think that would be something she'd like!
I would've gone with much more of a basking platform...with your talent, I would've tried to go with a sort of L shape kind of 2nd level platform. The branch leading up to the basking platform...Precious would never touch that thing. It would have to be wide and sturdy for her to consider climbing it.
Overall, I just think there needs to be more opportunities for Spyro to have more height/climbing.
The substrate...I don't use any at all and am very happy about that decision.

 

[jarich]

Its a great size, that gives it a good amount of room. I would also suggest some branches and climbing area. This uses a lot more of the 3 dimensional space you have right now and adds a complexity to the viv that isnt there right now. This seems like a small thing, but adds enrichment to their environment in a very important way.

Also, I would suggest ditching the cannabis substrate. Like corn, walnut, etc it has some problematic issues. Its is very absorbent. While they market this as a positive, it means that its also desiccating. It also holds moisture and then offers a wonderful medium for bacterial and fungal growth. It is also not something you would want it to ingest, as it will grow exponentially upon being wetted. One mouthful of this and youve got a greatly expanded stomach.

 

[Jack Reeman]

Its a great size, that gives it a good amount of room. I would also suggest some branches and climbing area. This uses a lot more of the 3 dimensional space you have right now and adds a complexity to the viv that isnt there right now. This seems like a small thing, but adds enrichment to their environment in a very important way.

Also, I would suggest ditching the cannabis substrate. Like corn, walnut, etc it has some problematic issues. Its is very absorbent. While they market this as a positive, it means that its also desiccating. It also holds moisture and then offers a wonderful medium for bacterial and fungal growth. It is also not something you would want it to ingest, as it will grow exponentially upon being wetted. One mouthful of this and youve got a greatly expanded stomach.

This is something I never thought of before! What do you suggest switching to? Something that gives it that difference from other generic substrates

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[Hdrydr31]

I agree with the ditching any substrate that is loose with the exception of bio set ups. Ceramic tiles, shelf liner, newspaper, paper towels, repti carpet...Most use tiles that have texture to help with their nails. I use a combo of tile and some repti carpet in the sleeping areas.

 

[Jack Reeman]

I agree with the ditching any substrate that is loose with the exception of bio set ups. Ceramic tiles, shelf liner, newspaper, paper towels, repti carpet...Most use tiles that have texture to help with their nails. I use a combo of tile and some repti carpet in the sleeping areas.

Tiles seem like a good idea. Do you know if there are any specific tiles you'd recommend?

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[Hdrydr31]

Tiles seem like a good idea. Do you know if there are any specific tiles you'd recommend?

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(my SO is a tile guy so we always have some lying around) I would use ones that have texture to them, so none that are smooth to the touch as those won't do anything but make it hard for your dragon to walk around... people also use slate but I find that clean up can be harder especially if they poop along the cracks and different elevations of the slate.