Building an outdoor Screech Owl Barn (Mew)

Odin the Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii) had his indoor habitat, but he needed a place to watch the birds and get some sun. We had a tight fit on this one, and wanted to maximize every inch. We put the vestibule in the narrowest spot, and left space to fly at the opposite end.

Features:

• Screen to prevent mosquitoes as well as dowels for bars to protect his talons if he decided to fly against the window (and to protect him form local cats)
• Clear roof to allow natural light (ideally should be replaced every few years as the material can get brittle)
• Windows with doors that can be left open or closed as weather allows
• Cleanable interior walls and removeable perches with variable sized and materials to prevent bumblefoot
• Mesh covering the underside to prevent rodents from damaging wood with nests
• Safety vestibule also has shelves and hooks for cleaning supplies
• Enrichment, of course!

Building the Mew

Cleanable walls

Rat Palace (and its rebuild)

I often have to come up with designs that have not been done before, or are very specific to a location. This was one that I have learned so much from! It was designed to be a crossover habitat for Norway rats (Rattus Norvegicus). The original concept came from a friend and myself brainstorming, and Tenji, Inc did the actual structural design. The aesthetic? Whatever is in your garage or attic!  

These rats are on display in a public institution, and are not super-acclimated to people. These features help manage their care needs:

• 1/2" Acrylic enclosure for clear views and soundproofing, vented on the ceiling and floor, and a super-quiet fan below pulls air through a carbon pad to prevent the whole place smalling like rats! (They communicate with pee, after all)
• Flexible shelving to create infinite possibilities for enrichment
• Rope ladders bring rats to top crossover tubing, and the gate valves can isolate an area from the outside (if you're fast enough!)
• This original shelf design used puppy pee pads and a velcro/felt coverup. This proved difficult to maintain. 

The "ratty" aesthetic

Ventilation chamber

A New Do!

Over a few years time, my colleague and I decided we wanted each shelf to be more adjustable and to hold softer, diggable bedding. She recorded the below videos of the redo. I think we designed something more clean-able, and much more cute-able!

Gratuitous cuteness

Rebuilding an Indoor Bullfrog Habitat

This habitat didn't quite turn out right for me when I had someone else do it- so I taught myself how to fix it! 

Original insert (artificial habitat) was ok but it had flaws

My rebuild had more moss area, a tunnel underneath, easier access

Lookin pretty!

 

Tortoise Digs: Condo

 You don't have to have a big budget to make a big impact! This space has lots of vertical, but not a lot of horizontal space. I had to get creative! 

These California Desert Tortoise habitats were made with primarily recycled materials. These indoor digs provide plenty of space, easy cleaning and appropriate heating and ultraviolet light for the species.  This is a great addition to a tortoise's outside pen for direct sun and digging time. The top one is over 20 years old and still in decent shape, too!

Ramp down to the lower level

Lil secret access door to the lower level of the condo

Everyone loves dinosaurs!

Pulled together from materials on hand, but still meeting animal needs

This tortoise does not mind plexiglass and does not climb it or stress about it.