Tree and Roots....

Hey all-

I've decide to go ahead and make plans for building a cage for my bp Spot. I am still not sure on the length but I figure 3' of 4'. I've decided to add a feature that I think will be very cool. I am going to try and construct a tree out of materials and cover it in grout and then texturize it. Now I made a paint drawing below, as a warning to all, I can't draw, so it's the best I can do lol.

I plan on having the base of the tree raise and a root system showing with either a 3 or 5 inch space from the floor of the teruriaum to the base of the tree. In this space, I plan on making it big enough to slide a cat litter box under the roots so when Spot is full grown he'll have a big boy hide. In the meantime the "cave" will be used as decoration.

I do have a big question though. I want to lay flexwatt down for heating. If I place tiles, like slate tiles (don't grout, just lay them), over the flexwatt, they'll heat up, right? I plan on laying flexwatt down, then tiles, then bedding, aspen or coco, I haven't decided.

Also, if I use grout and seal it do you think it'll have any problems with his scales if he decides to explore on it? I figure in the wild they go over rocks and such so I dont' think so but would like other's opinions.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Layna/Cre...s/example2.JPG

I cant give you much on tips.. i'm doing sumthing simular and have a few questions my self.

Looks like something fun to me. I would love to see it once your finished with it.

I cant wait :D

Here is a quick drawing i did. The thing in the middle of the drawing is a water bowl.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Layna/Cre...ankLayout1.jpg

I am not entirely sure what I want on the right hand side. Hide wise. In the first Paint drawing, I have in the right, a cave, which will also be the aprox. size of a cat litter box. (This cage will be Spot's lifetime cage. I'll add either crumpled newspaper or some other type of filler to the hides to make them smaller...) I can't decide if I want to make a cave or a tree stump as a hide, or even another tree trunk (minus the roots) and have a hole in that, making the bottom hollow, and using that as a hide.


More drawings to follow.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Layna/untitled3.JPG


The next two images are kinda big, just an FYI.

Dashed lines are the hollowed out area. I plan on making the cool side hide removeable and the cat box hide sliding out for complete cleaning.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Layna/Cre...Caves1and2.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/Layna/Cre...Hides1and2.jpg

Let me know what you guys think. Or if you have another suggestion.

Just a tip: it's best to have two identical hides.

Keep in mind too that you want it so that it's easy to clean. I used to have fancy elaborate cages, but it got to be a pain having to clean everything. Now it's just a simple silk vine that goes across the bottom for me.

As for using flexwatt inside the cage. What I would do is put down the flexwatt, then put down a piece of plexiglass to cover it and completely seal the edges of the plexiglass using silicone. You want the flexwatt to be waterproof incase your snake manages to tip the water bowl over; this will prevent electrocution.