If you had the choice of housing your reptiles on the main floor or on a second floor which would you choose? Are there any reasons for your choices? We will be going into the second floor of our 100-year-old house in the spring. This will be a consideration as to where Sean’s bedroom will be. The good I can see about moving him up stairs is that there will be spaces in the eves that I think would make a good storage area for reptiles (I guessing the area would be 4’ high and 2-3’ deep). Any thought on this? Your guys are the experts!!

Your heigth is the only thing that would be a concern in as much as configuration. Unless you are talking about the low end of a pitched roof. Is it heated? Is it insulated? These are things to be taken into consideration especially since you are debating a rack system.

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Fran
January 9, 1940 - June 1, 2006 (R.I.P)

Yes it is at the low end of the pitched roof. The ceilings should be10-12'. That is the good thing about going into the upstairs, everything can be made (designed) as needed. It will be insulated for Michigan winters and if I'm guessing my husband right the heating will be solar with gas backup. Electrical can be added so that the different plugs were on different circuits. I want a second bathroom upstairs so we could include hot and cold water and some kind of a sink system for cleaning. We currently use aquariums but I have a feeling we will be out growing the space they take up. So I'm considering the options. The only thing I could not see moving would be the iggy cage as it would be difficut to get up stairs.

OK... Now the plan falls together. It all depends then on the square footage you have available for the herps after the renovation is completed as to whether to go with individual enclosures or a rack system. Also to take into consideration is the fact that rack systems are not really suitable for herps such as arboreal snakes, chams, geckos and such. (any herps that like to climb.)
I myself would construct another iggy enclosure upstairs during the renovation and possibly use the present one that is downstairs for an outdoor summer enclosure. Of course I amin Florida and we have a MUCH longer period of suitable weather for an iggy to be outside.

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Fran
January 9, 1940 - June 1, 2006 (R.I.P)

I'm guessing the area I was considering would be about 20' long on one or both sides of the eves. That would give him actual living space that is covered in tanks etc.

When I lived in New York and had two levels to choose from I took the second floor. It was a lot warmer so I didn't need as high a wattage on lights. Another thing to take into consideration is where you live. do you live in a high natural disaster area? If I had a 2 story house where I am now no doubt I would keep them as close to the ground as possible due to hurricanes and high winds

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~Jason Richardson

if I had an upstairs in my house, i'd house my herps upstairs. It gets pretty cold in the winter time in my house and the higher level would keep them warmer.

thats what I would do, but it's all up to you. If you have a basement, and you live in an area where there's a chance of tornados or other natural disasters like jason said, then you might consider putting them in a warm area of the basement. If worse came to worse, you wouldnt have to worry about getting the herps to the basement in time.

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-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

I have given thought to moving my animals into my cellar finished room....but I enjoy BEING with my animals in my living space....having them in one spot would solve difficulty in feeding and cleaning but then I couldnt commune with them...I really enjoy having them in my kitchen, living room where I spend most of my time...I actually feel bad for the ones in the two bedrooms...because I dont go in there as often....but anyways...thats how I feel about WHERE they should be placed....Lyn

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

Now everything except Lizzy (iguana) is in Sean's room. It would just be moving from one location to another. Much of the time someone is our visiting around the house. Boy that is a sure way to keep unwanted friends and relatives away.