My New Outdoor Enclosure... well kind of

[MasSalvaje]

I decided to turn my window well into a nice little outdoor enclosure for a pair of T. e. vagrans I have. I sealed it with a screen top (probably against fire code :D), put in an outdoor outlet, and set up a waterfall and a heat lamp on a timer to give a constant basking spot. It is facing west so it gets afternoon natural sun but never too hot. From the temps I have measured they stay warmer than the outside lows and a bit lower than the outside highs. I am working on putting in some verticle decor and hides to give them even more space.

These pics are of the pair after being in there for a few hours. Lows still drop too low to be out all night so they spend limited time out there for now but they seem to like it so far.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/DSCN7359.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/DSCN7363.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/DSCN7358.jpg

Let me know what you think, especially if you have any concerns with the functionality.

-Thomas

[ssssnakeluvr]

looks real nice!!!!! just make sure the rocks are blocked in place real well...they will squeeze in between and could cause them to fall....

[guidofatherof5]

What a great idea. Never thought about using a window area like that. None of my basement windows would be big enough. I like your thinking, though.
Make sure the area is secure against predators. Coons, opossums, cats and what ever else might eat your snakes.

[MasSalvaje]

Thanks guys,

Don the slate pieces are stuck together with some construction adhesive so they should be ok, the river rocks are loose but they should be ok.

Steve it is a pretty big space. It measures about 4' in width and about 2.5' at the deepest part. The only predators I have around here are cats but they should be held at bay by the double construction screen. I will snap some pics tomorrow of the top.

-Thomas

[ssssnakeluvr]

cool!!! looks nice! make sure it will keep out raccoons too...got tons of them out here!!! I pick them up off the side of the road frequently!!! :eek:

[Sid]

Neat idea, Thomas. Looks good.

[drache]

that looks nice, but I can't quite envision the whole thing

[Isisnofret]

I like it, it looks good :)

[Stefan-A]

I like the idea. :)

[gregmonsta]

Good job :D ... looking forward to more pics.

[adamanteus]

Looks good Thomas, I really like it!

[Snake lover 3-25]

neat! can't wait for more pics!

[Serpentine99]

I like the originality of the idea, but do you think you would have any minor problems with excess rain water?

[lestat]

Looks ok to me. Nice snakes too. I want some of them sometime.

[MasSalvaje]

I like the originality of the idea, but do you think you would have any minor problems with excess rain water?

Good question, but I don't think anywhere in Utah has to worry about excess rain water. Utah only averages 12" of water a year, that includes the snow pack which accounts for about half of that.

I actually had the opposite problem, they put in a deep layer of gravel while building the house that I had put a layer of a clay soil over because the soil was not able to hold any water with out it. There is also an awning above the window in the room just above this one that keeps most everything out. I am currently looking at putting some sort of drip or mist system on a timer so I don't have to do it by hand everyday.

-Thomas

[guidofatherof5]

How about a photo or two from the inside looking out! If you don't mind.

[Hollis_Steed]

I decided to turn my window well into a nice little outdoor enclosure for a pair of T. e. vagrans I have. I sealed it with a screen top (probably against fire code :D), put in an outdoor outlet, and set up a waterfall and a heat lamp on a timer to give a constant basking spot. It is facing west so it gets afternoon natural sun but never too hot. From the temps I have measured they stay warmer than the outside lows and a bit lower than the outside highs. I am working on putting in some verticle decor and hides to give them even more space.

These pics are of the pair after being in there for a few hours. Lows still drop too low to be out all night so they spend limited time out there for now but they seem to like it so far.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/DSCN7359.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/DSCN7363.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/DSCN7358.jpg

Let me know what you think, especially if you have any concerns with the functionality.

-Thomas
Thomas,
I've been toying with this same idea lately. How did it work out for you? What would you give as advice?

[reptile65]

That looks really cool!

I'm new to garters, but I was under the impression that T. e. vagrans couldn't be kept together because of possible cannibalism...???

[Snakers]

Nice old thread

[Hollis_Steed]

Old thread yes, but I'm interested in how it worked out and if it's worth duplicating or if there were problems. I like the idea.
As for the vagrans being cannabalistic. I'm sure it happens, but so far for me it hasn't been a problem. I watch my snakes very closely while they are feeding, as has been suggested numerous time on this forum. So far no problems. I have become a BIG fam of T.e.vagrans! I love 'em!:D

[Snakers]

Old thread yes, but I'm interested in how it worked out and if it's worth duplicating or if there were problems. I like the idea.
As for the vagrans being cannabalistic. I'm sure it happens, but so far for me it hasn't been a problem. I watch my snakes very closely while they are feeding, as has been suggested numerous time on this forum. So far no problems. I have become a BIG fam of T.e.vagrans! I love 'em!:D
I agree, it is a very nice idea!

[otis lee]

thats very cool thanks!

[charles parenteau]

Nice set up really this is genius...

[MasSalvaje]

Sorry Jeff for not getting to this earlier but here is the update you wanted. I have changed out a few of the plants, went with a prefab waterfall, added a couple hides, and added a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer. I love using it! It looks cool during the day and the animals seem to love it.

Here are a couple pics:

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/100_0492.jpg
This one is for you Steve, from the inside out.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/100_0508.jpg
From the outside in.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/100_0502.jpg
The view from in the window well. (Can you spot the similis?)

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/102_0095.jpg
And these are the current inhabitants. (Similis from above, Three Toed Box Turtle, and a baby yellow vagrans.)
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/Massalvaje/102_0009.jpg

I am now trying to devise a way to build some sort of structure/cave that can be used as an effective hiburnacula for the winter. Right now I just bring them inside. Let me know if you have any ideas.

-Thomas

[Snakers]

wow, I wish I had window wells and patience lol

[guidofatherof5]

Looks very nice.

[justme]

Brilliant! I love it!

[guidofatherof5]

What side of the house is that window on?
How do you handle heavy rains?

[Dragonbeards]

Very nice, I like it. My parents would kill me if I even dreamt of doing something like that :p. Yours is nice.

[Spankenstyne]

That is fantastically creative. Can't believe I missed it until now, well done ;)

[ConcinusMan]

Awesome!

[MasSalvaje]

What side of the house is that window on?
How do you handle heavy rains?

It is on the West side of the house so it does get a couple of hours of sunlight in the afternoon, but the temps are usually pretty stable. It doesn't get too hot in the summer and stays relatively warm in the winter. We don't have to worry about heavy rains in my area, we average about 12-14in a year, more than half of that comes as snow, but just in case there is an awning at the roof level that keeps out the rain.

-Thomas

[guidofatherof5]

It is on the West side of the house so it does get a couple of hours of sunlight in the afternoon, but the temps are usually pretty stable. It doesn't get too hot in the summer and stays relatively warm in the winter. We don't have to worry about heavy rains in my area, we average about 12-14in a year, more than half of that comes as snow, but just in case there is an awning at the roof level that keeps out the rain.

-Thomas

Thanks for the reply, Thomas.

I've toyed with the idea of doing the same thing with the north window of my snake room. It's the only window I have in that addition.
I guess I would use it for more of a play area for the snakes on certain days. Not sure they would overnight there unless I can secure it from predators(cats, racoons,oposums.etc.)