In your opinion, how necessary are grow out tanks for reptiles? Please post your experience and include the species and age. Thanks!
Necessity of growouts?
- Thread starter blackwolfXKAV
- Start date
I don't think its necessary, at least not for the reptile. I feel that if the person has the space and resources to keep the animal in the same (appropriately-sized) enclosure for its entire life, then go for it. But I understand that if a person is aware of what is eventually required, but temporarilt limited on space or resources, then there's nothing wrong with keeping a young animal in a smaller enclosure...just as long as when the time does come for an upgrade, the keeper can deliver.
Most fishkeepers do this because they have a new fish they want to introduce to an already occupied tank, but they're simply waiting for the fish to achieve a compatible size where it won't be harassed. Since mixing different herps together are another ballgame from fish and is often discouraged (there are already threads about this issue), this reason is usually null for herps.
Many would argue that a 90 gallon tank for a single juvenile ball python or a room-sized enclosure for a 24" nile monitor may be excessive while the animals are so young, but I say if the enclosure is adequately decorated and furnished, and the animals do fine, then I see no problems.
Most fishkeepers do this because they have a new fish they want to introduce to an already occupied tank, but they're simply waiting for the fish to achieve a compatible size where it won't be harassed. Since mixing different herps together are another ballgame from fish and is often discouraged (there are already threads about this issue), this reason is usually null for herps.
Many would argue that a 90 gallon tank for a single juvenile ball python or a room-sized enclosure for a 24" nile monitor may be excessive while the animals are so young, but I say if the enclosure is adequately decorated and furnished, and the animals do fine, then I see no problems.
grow out arent nessesary but for baby reptile in big enclosure you should have several small hidding places for security since big open space can be intimidating to tiny reptiles.
DeLgAdO;831374; said:
I was just about to type that. Also it's alot easier for the babies to find the food in a smaller enclosureVery true....but these same baby reptiles don't seem to have had much trouble finding food out in the big wide open wild for the past few thousand years.
Yes, I believe the key is having several hiding places and plenty of decorations to interact with.
Yes, I believe the key is having several hiding places and plenty of decorations to interact with.
Ophiuchus;831756; said:
I know what you means! I have seen hatchlings do well in big enclosures, and those enclosures have a billion hide locations. While others are stressed out because of the lack of hides.
Now that I think about, most people only give their herps one or two hides per enclosure.
The food problem can be solved by placing it in front of the creature itself.