1.
1. The moat is full
during the wet season.
2. The nesting site
consists of a large
plastic tub sunk into
the ground, with a
removable hood.
Images reproduced
from original printed
copy by Andy Round.
enough to provide sufficient shade, so I had
to construct a shade cloth cover over the
entire length of the hollow log. It doesn’t look
the best, but it’s important. Since the sloping
embankment would be subject to erosion
from heavy rain, I covered it with a commer-
cially-available fibre mat, through which I
planted various ground cover plants. Roughly
in the centre of the enclosure, a large plastic
tub was sunk into the ground. This was to be
filled with substrate and used as a nesting
site. The top of this tub has a removable
250mm ply hood, and a 150mm hole allows
the monitors access. I was hoping the lizards
wouldn’t dig like rabbits everywhere, and
instead choose the nest box for egg deposi-
tion, and so far this has worked well.
When the construction was finished, the enclosure
looked rather bare, but as time went by we added
improvements here and there, and the grass started
growing, along with various other plants. One day I
had the opportunity to obtain a truckload of large
river rocks; eight cubic metres of these stones were
unloaded outside our new enclosure. Over the
ensuing weeks and months, the rocks, some of
which were too heavy to be lifted by one person,
were used to secure the embankment and cover the
bottom of the moat, creating the impression of a dry
riverbed. Now after a couple of rainy seasons and
prolific plant growth, I am quite happy with how
everything looks. The animals interact in a natural
manner, and both groups of monitors are breeding
regularly.
More than ten years on, is Peter still happy with
his outdoor enclosures?
Both enclosures are still working well, and I am
satisfied that the cost and considerable effort has
been most worthwhile. If I needed to build any addi-
tional outdoor enclosures I wouldn’t change much.
2.
The nonagonal shape has proved to be perfect for
what was intended. At certain times of the year,
individual animals can have issues with others. This
usually starts with some head-bobbing, and then
escalates so that one of the monitors will chase and
attempt to attack the other. The size and shape of
the enclosures allows the individual being pursued to
get out of sight quickly, and then usually everything
quietens down. Sometimes there are bites, but with
large groups of animals in the enclosures this has to
be expected.
The addition of a gate in the Perentie enclosure
definitely makes access more comfortable. Entry to
the Lace Monitor enclosure is still via a modified
aluminium ladder. The nest box in the Perentie
enclosure also works well. The opening can be kept
closed for most of the year, since it is not meant to
be used as a refuge. The size of the entrance can
also be controlled, and to keep the male out the hole
is just big enough to allow the females to squeeze in.
When egg deposition is expected I make sure the
substrate is in optimal condition; not too compacted
and with sufficient moisture content. Test digging