Building a BP cage for 2 ! (pics)

so i started to build my first BP cage, i know its high but i would rather have that option so i can use it for something other then a BP once i start breeding and convert to a rack system. The measurements are 36x18x18. Since i am housing 2 snakes and there babys im dividing the cage with a removable divider. the cage when finished will be painted inside with a water proof paint and have alot of cover so the space isnt going to over whelm the snake... well onto the pics! criticism is welcome !!!!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94...Picture001.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94...Picture002.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94...Picture004.jpg



the hole on each side of the top is where i will be placing the heat lights and the center hole was cut specifically for a bi light housing strip thing lol. just to act as a sun so to speak and not emitting heat. im debating wether or not to use a UTH or flexwatt. but thats up in the air still the front of the cage is a solid door with 2 10x12 pieces of glass framed out to look like windows one centered on each side. im hoping by this weekend i can start testing temps so i can make it perfect by april's reptile show :)

im wondering is how will that mesh stop the snake from contacting the heat lamp

Isn't 18 x 18 a little small for an adult BP? A 9" water bowl would take up a full quarter of their floor space. Just a thought.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ranger

Isn't 18 x 18 a little small for an adult BP? A 9" water bowl would take up a full quarter of their floor space. Just a thought.

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definately is! its for hatchlings :) as they grow ill take out the divider and build a 2nd cage for the one and keep the other in that tank 36x18x18 is big enough
for an adult :)/

and the mesh is very thin the snake cannot fit into it. and the heat lamp wont completely be touching the cage.

that mesh sure looks like 1/2 to me

well i have it so the actual dome is going to be on the wood not the mesh, and the bulb will be 1.5-2 inches away from the mesh, the mesh holes are 1/2 by 1 and now that i look at it a snake could fit its head in it so im gonna go oover and criss cross another layer of it overtop of it. just in case. but other then that it should be ok no? not to be rude or anything but is that what you mean? if not can ya explain? i am doing this all now a month and a half before i buy a snake so i can make all the tweaks to it before i encounter a problem :) thanks alot!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ranger

Isn't 18 x 18 a little small for an adult BP? A 9" water bowl would take up a full quarter of their floor space. Just a thought.

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Definitely not for a hatchling or juvie ball python.
A 9" water bowl is huge, I don't even know why you would need a bowl that big..

Nice enclosure, do you plan on putting tile down or something on the bottom?

you should but somthing in the front that would go directly behind the doors to keep you bedding in the cage

Metal hardware cloth in a BP's cage is not a good idea, I can already imagine your BP being injured because of this, it will also rust with the humidity needed for your BP.

I would suggest screen mesh.

I'd also reccomend screen mesh instead. A ledge across the front will help keep the bedding in there so that it won't be falling out every time you open the front door. That's some very NICE woodworking by the way. I can't wait to see the finished product. You could also think about using fiberglass resin(not the fabric part, just the resin) to paint the inside, which would seal it up nicely. Or food safe epoxy.

Good luck, and build some more stuff!!