Hi everyone. I see so little on forums about Rankins (P. henrylawsonii) but they really interest me. I think they are adorable and I could keep more than a couple at a time. I've never kept either type, but have an enclosure just finished and am ready to start. Without experience though, I need some help deciding.

I hear the Rankins are just as friendly and interactive as viticeps, able to be handled and such. If you have an opinion on that? And my cage is weirdly shaped, kind of narrow but tall and long, with two levels of floor space accessed by tree limbs, so I'm wondering if either variety is more or less likely to "explore" and move about. There will be lot's of places in the enclosure for temp regulation.

Actually any comments about Rankins would be appreciated.

Thanks, Andy.

Rankins and Viciteps are virtually the same, but Rankins are smaller. Their care is thesame too. Here is an excellent caresheet with detail to care, lighting, and heating.
http://www.herpcenter.com/article.php?a=38

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

As Marsha said they are very similar in care, with Rankins being smaller and needing a little less space than beardeds. What are the actual dimensions of your tank? - neither lizards need much height although they will both make good use of all space, and both are inquisitive in nature and very friendly, tame lizards.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

They'll be in one of the following two enclosures:

46"L x 18"W x 20"H, glass on three sides and bottom, screen vents on back wall, screen top, or...

Same footprint dimensions (46" x 18" internal), but with a second level accessed by climbing branches, including a second floor "shelf" adding another couple square feet. Top to bottom would be about 48".

I think the glass, single level enclosure would be good for a snake. I wonder if 3-4 Rankins could live comfortably in the double level. I'm hoping they will enjoy climbing to bask up high, as I read they are somewhat more arboreal than viticeps.

I would stick with the single level. While Bearded Dragons may climb a bit you really don't want to get them too high up! They can get a bit klutzy and if they fall too far they may injure themselves.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Beardeds and rankins are not aboreal but they can be quite adept climbers, more so when younger. As Merlin said, Bearded Dragons can be quite clumsy.. we have two branches in our adults' tank, the highest being about 18-24" up, and the male often jumps or falls off it, I'm surprised he's not given himself brain damage yet I wouldn't allow them to get any higher, although I have seen people house them in higher tanks. I'm not sure about rankins, but I would house them similar to the Bearded Dragons, and not let them get too high, so perhaps the single level one would be better in that respect.

For a pair of adult rankins you should have a viv that measures 3ft (36") long x 2ft (24") deep x 2ft high, your enclosures have enough floor space for a pair, but being only 18" deep I think I would be reluctant to house 3 or 4 in there. If you want to get so many the double level enclosure would be better. Some things to think about with the higher viv; you will probably need to provide a couple of basking spots and UVB spots, so that each one can get to the heat/light, and so it can be accessed from the lower floor and from the higher floor. Also, just thinking about the mesh - it might be difficult to get the temps right with so much ventilation, beardeds and rankins require pretty high temps, so you would need to play about with various heat sources first to get it right.

Can you post pics of your enclosures? - I would like to see the larger one, it sounds pretty cool

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

stick to one level

I will. This has been a very helpful thread as the info you supplied changed my thinking. I really expected them to be excellent climbers from what I'd read. I'll put a couple Rankins in the single level glass terrarium, and save the bi-level for a snake who likes climbing.

Thanks. I'll get a pic up when it's all done.

Andy

It's not that they aren't great climbers - they can be very good climbers, particularly when young, however they aren't climbers in the same way that lizards such as water dragons are, in that they need the height and climbing accessories. One of our juv. Bearded Dragons has a favourite place, which is right at the top of a fake plant in her viv, and two of our adults can usually be found on their top branch, two feet off the ground,. we are just saying be careful as they can be clumsy sometimes.

Would love to see some pics once you have everything set up?

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

Sorry for delay, thanks for asking to see pics. The bi-level cage is all but done. This is the one that is too tall for safety, so I'll put a snake in here I think. It's not easy to photograph. The branches go vertically up from the lower level and bend about to create basking spots. Anyway...