Big Snake Enclosures

My guy is only 5 months old so he is only in a 41 qt but I am looking into building him a nice 6'x3'x2' cage as his final home.
Post pics of your big snakes housing (burms, retics, etc)

I just finished this new one yesterday. Just have to pick up the Lexan for the doors. Its 30 x30 x 96

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-.../untitled3.gif

That's a pretty nice looking enclosure.

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Originally Posted by tomfromtheshade

That's a pretty nice looking enclosure.

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Thanks,

Nice. I don't have enough room for that. Anyone use the 6 foot boamasters cage?

never used a 6 foot boamaster cage. But I did have to help move one up a flight of stairs and didnt enjoy it one bit lol

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Originally Posted by Denial

never used a 6 foot boamaster cage. But I did have to help move one up a flight of stairs and didnt enjoy it one bit lol

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I've seen u over on the Burmese forums......what do u use?

I use animal plastics and visions. But boamaster makes a plastic cage now that is basically the same thing as an ap cage and alot more lightweight. Id like to get some sentec cages next year and try them out.

I saw the sentec cages at the Tinley NARBC and they are friggin NICE!

I am just going to build mine. Might just do it this weekend and get it over with.
7x3x2 melamine cage on wheels. haha

I use to try to use those cages but to me its not worth it in the long run. They start to wreak cause big snakes pee ALOT! And the wood is harder to clean. Visions and ap cages are super eas to clean out. Well the lips on visions can be a bit annoying at times trying to clean properly. And like I said I hate heavy cages lol but I move my cages alot I get sick of them being certain ways I wish I didnt lol but I do that with everything I get sick of the way my living room looks after a few months so I rearrange everything lol

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Originally Posted by Denial

I use to try to use those cages but to me its not worth it in the long run. They start to wreak cause big snakes pee ALOT! And the wood is harder to clean. Visions and ap cages are super eas to clean out. Well the lips on visions can be a bit annoying at times trying to clean properly. And like I said I hate heavy cages lol but I move my cages alot I get sick of them being certain ways I wish I didnt lol but I do that with everything I get sick of the way my living room looks after a few months so I rearrange everything lol

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haha yea I am trying to tile the bottom and put the substrate on top of that. I might switch over but for now I am going to try a custom built cage.

putting tile down will help alot.

just go with PVC. you can work with it just like wood and it is already water proof.

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Originally Posted by Lucas339

just go with PVC. you can work with it just like wood and it is already water proof.

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Yea but u get 4x's more material for the same price......might as well buy one pre made if I was going to drop that much money.

If you are going to spend the money you won't find a better cage than Sentec. They are the BEST available, hands down. When you consider that the cage will last forever its a pretty good investment.

by the time you buy all the melamine and all the tile to cover it, you will be close to the cost of the sheets of PVC. not to mention you won't have to replace the cage in a few years. if you think long run, the extra cost will be worth it.

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Originally Posted by Lucas339

by the time you buy all the melamine and all the tile to cover it, you will be close to the cost of the sheets of PVC. not to mention you won't have to replace the cage in a few years. if you think long run, the extra cost will be worth it.

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Not even close to the same. Hell build 3 cages for the price of just a PVC cae. IDK where your looking at PVC sheet prices but everywhere that I have it's not even worth building your own.

And for those to say the melamine won't last...........how so. I have worth with this kind of wood before (not with snakes) and it has no problems holding up. I mean hell so many things ppl dont even think of are melamine. Like pretty much everything at a high school, some counter tops. If 1000's of kids can no wear the laminate down over 5+ years I just can't see a snake doing it EVER

IF i can put my 2 sense in. i have had a burm and all that and they do pee a ton and have som odor. that wood cage pic was AMAZING i really like the reccessed pool. but if like you say have a young snake look for a used plastic cage. unless u have ample space and time and resources like the person who made that high grade wood cage in this thread go with a premade plastic cage. 1 water proof, 2 glass alone will cost you out the ying yang, 3 its almost bullet proof. melamine from experience starts to wear and decay i made TONS of BD cages when i used to breed them. but im only one man with strong opinnions lol. but I am an owner of vision cages currently and they are cool but there are a ton of options and faunaclassifieds has tons of people who are just looking to give the cages away for half the retail prices seriously

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Originally Posted by MitsuMike

Not even close to the same. Hell build 3 cages for the price of just a PVC cae. IDK where your looking at PVC sheet prices but everywhere that I have it's not even worth building your own.

And for those to say the melamine won't last...........how so. I have worth with this kind of wood before (not with snakes) and it has no problems holding up. I mean hell so many things ppl dont even think of are melamine. Like pretty much everything at a high school, some counter tops. If 1000's of kids can no wear the laminate down over 5+ years I just can't see a snake doing it EVER

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i get my PVC sheet for 84 bucks locally. PVC cages run upwards of 150 plus....well worth it!!!

melamine is heavy, contains formaldehyde glues, and in time, will warp due to excess humidity. counter tops ect. aren't keep in humid conditions. if you want to use it, use it. i could care less.

why do you think top breeders don't use melamine???

Well I was gonna add pics of my enclosure in the process of being built. I know you can go to my gallery and look at them there. The enclosure is 12'x5'x5' it holds a 17 3/4' female tiger retic, and a 16' Purple Albino male retic. the enclosure weighs 2500 lbs was built in my driveway then cut in half to be moved into my garage. It in laid with 4 coats of fiberglass resin which was painted black. I also added a top that is 400 lbs and has to doors on it that allow me access. there is a hide built into it that is 3'x5' and has a sliding door built into it for times when I clean the habitat. I also have installed a 50 gallon kiddie pool. I use a 1500 gallon pond pump to drain and refill the pool. The habitat is insulated. I just wish I could get pics up

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Originally Posted by Jadonh

Well I was gonna add pics of my enclosure in the process of being built. I know you can go to my gallery and look at them there. The enclosure is 12'x5'x5' it holds a 17 3/4' female tiger retic, and a 16' Purple Albino male retic. the enclosure weighs 2500 lbs was built in my driveway then cut in half to be moved into my garage. It in laid with 4 coats of fiberglass resin which was painted black. I also added a top that is 400 lbs and has to doors on it that allow me access. there is a hide built into it that is 3'x5' and has a sliding door built into it for times when I clean the habitat. I also have installed a 50 gallon kiddie pool. I use a 1500 gallon pond pump to drain and refill the pool. The habitat is insulated. I just wish I could get pics up

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YOUR A BEAST.. now thats a responsible big snake owner. if your gunna do it. do it right. i wish you can get pics up. thanks for shareing that sounds like an amazing project. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I GO ON FORUMS TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PASSION SUCH AS MINE AND THIS MY FRIEND IS PASSION. CONGRATS TO YOUR VERY LUCKY SNAKES.:taz:

The only thing I don't like is housing the 2 together, I prefer to give each its own but won't be able to till I move to Arizona Then I am building a green house for them I will then reconstruct the enclosure I have know to house a few Red-tail boas with a tropical habitat fully enclosed so they can live like they would in the wild, then i will also add live plants and such so that minus feeding it will be a self sustaining enclosure.

With an enclosure that size why wouldn't you just customize a room? It seems like that would be much easier.

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Originally Posted by tomfromtheshade

With an enclosure that size why wouldn't you just customize a room? It seems like that would be much easier.

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I'm Not rich so the rooms in my house are used for my family and I. I will be moving to Arizona in a few years and then I will have the ability and space and money to build what I want. I do not work b/c of a disability I aquired while I was in the Army while being stationed in Iraq. Back in 2003 I do what I can with what I can

To the OP....I know the melamine seems like the best option but it is going to take a beating from the heat and humidity. Its not so much the snakes putting the wear on it but the elements. The AP cages are nice. I have a Boamaster plastic cage for my retic and will get one for my boa. I picked this cage up locally for 100 and I love it. No way could I build something as effective and easy to maintain for that. Good luck with what ever route you take. Just wanted to give my opinion.

I forgot about this thread until is was just bumped. Just had a long talk with Sam Bearden (he was a nice and informative guy, my next burm is coming from him) and he informed me about what a normal sized burm will need in it's lifetime. Told me that Iris makes a 4 footlong tub used normally for storage that will house a Male Burm perfectly. Now if I get a female then I will need to invest something bigger but for now I am going to go that route! (I can still using Flexwatt and no RHP needed)

The christmas tree storage container tubs they sell at the holidays are great for snakes. There huge

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Originally Posted by Denial

The christmas tree storage container tubs they sell at the holidays are great for snakes. There huge

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where are you finding these? iv looked everywhere and cannot find em iv even checked the walmart site and still nothing! i want to pick up two or three and put my retic in one for a few months till i can get his adult ap ordered

They'll be at Walmarts closer to Christmas, just be patient.

The AP racks for them are BULLETPROOF

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Originally Posted by Muddyredneck

where are you finding these? iv looked everywhere and cannot find em iv even checked the walmart site and still nothing! i want to pick up two or three and put my retic in one for a few months till i can get his adult ap ordered

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yea there not out yet. But they will be soon

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Originally Posted by MitsuMike

Told me that Iris makes a 4 footlong tub used normally for storage that will house a Male Burm perfectly.

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The breeder (I won't mention names) who told you that is an idiot. No way does a 4 foot tub house an adult male burm. My male is 5 and 13 - 14 feet long. How would I cram him in there?

And I have been using melamine for almost 20 years. Always made my own cages (even for bps). It might need replacing every 8 - 10 years, but for the price, it's still more cost effective than buying something premade. Besides, I have NOT found a commercially made enclosure that will house adequately (IMO) any snake larger than 10 feet.

Chris

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Originally Posted by mumps

The breeder (I won't mention names) who told you that is an idiot. No way does a 4 foot tub house an adult male burm. My male is 5 and 13 - 14 feet long. How would I cram him in there?

And I have been using melamine for almost 20 years. Always made my own cages (even for bps). It might need replacing every 8 - 10 years, but for the price, it's still more cost effective than buying something premade. Besides, I have NOT found a commercially made enclosure that will house adequately (IMO) any snake larger than 10 feet.

Chris

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Some burms he has have gotten that big some haven't. I mean what's the worst that is going to happen? I buy the 30 dollar tub and he out grows it.
And yea if he does outgrow it I will have a melamine cage made.

My local Container Store has them (well over the phone they said they did) haha

Here is the link:

http://www.containerstore.com/shop?p...86&N=&Ntt=tree

anyone have a ruff estimate on the dimensions on those xmas tree storage tubs? cause the ones on the container said they hold an 8foot tree but im assuming they break the tree down to 2 4 foot parts or smaller

The dimensions are on the site..........

52-7/8" x 20-7/8" x 14-1/16" h

Just called my store and they have like 20 of them in stock

my appolagies, musta missed them

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Originally Posted by Muddyredneck

my appolagies, musta missed them

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I will be picking one up after work and to see if I can find something bigger for by blue beauty.

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Originally Posted by mumps

And I have been using melamine for almost 20 years. Always made my own cages (even for bps). It might need replacing every 8 - 10 years, but for the price, it's still more cost effective than buying something premade. Besides, I have NOT found a commercially made enclosure that will house adequately (IMO) any snake larger than 10 feet.

Chris

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Same thing I was thinking. Heres some pics of mine finished. I dont have 150 bucks in it. The most expensive thing was the glass, its 1/4" tempered.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...0/7/3/cage.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...cage_locks.jpg

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Originally Posted by MitsuMike

I will be picking one up after work and to see if I can find something bigger for by blue beauty.

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That'd be awesome cause even if they only last me a year it'd help, my guy doesn't quite need a 6ft ap and can't quite afford one as of yet anyways(he's in a perfectly fine and nice wooden enclosure I built it just doesn't hold the humidty like id like so save the flames) lol id built it before him before I read up on plastics and decided to change routes till I can make him something like a pervious poster built

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Originally Posted by mumps

The breeder (I won't mention names) who told you that is an idiot. No way does a 4 foot tub house an adult male burm. My male is 5 and 13 - 14 feet long. How would I cram him in there?

And I have been using melamine for almost 20 years. Always made my own cages (even for bps). It might need replacing every 8 - 10 years, but for the price, it's still more cost effective than buying something premade. Besides, I have NOT found a commercially made enclosure that will house adequately (IMO) any snake larger than 10 feet.

Chris

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Sentecs are more then adequate from what iv heard, but economical.. well that's debateable lol especially when u get in to.. well two or more giants lol;)

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Originally Posted by Muddyredneck

Sentecs are more then adequate from what iv heard, but economical.. well that's debateable lol especially when u get in to.. well two or more giants lol;)

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I've seen the Sentecs, and like I said, I wouldn't put anything larger than 10 feet into their largest offering...

Grits: That's one beautiful burm man!! :gj:

Chris

What about the 8ft neo, would you not put anything larger then 10ft in that? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Utta

What about the 8ft neo, would you not put anything larger then 10ft in that? :rolleyes:

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i didnt suggest neos cause as far as i know they where discontinued and then reopened by someone else so i wasnt sure of quality or avalabilty.. i hear the old ones where the best of their time, cept for the looks department lol dont really find em very eye appealing or atleast not like ap or vision

The 8ft looks great imo. They arnt a slant front, look like a vision with more visibility. And I LIKE the slant front look :rofl: the new ones are used by the SD zoo, so they can't be THAT bad :confused:

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Originally Posted by Utta

The 8ft looks great imo. They arnt a slant front, look like a vision with more visibility. And I LIKE the slant front look :rofl: the new ones are used by the SD zoo, so they can't be THAT bad :confused:

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yeah im just not a fan lol i know the old ones where like the sentec of there time tho so i figured they couldent be that bad and i was unaware the zoo used em so yeah guess they realyl cant be that bad lol

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Originally Posted by mumps

I've seen the Sentecs, and like I said, I wouldn't put anything larger than 10 feet into their largest offering...

Grits: That's one beautiful burm man!! :gj:

Chris

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Thanks, She was a rescue and we are glad we were able to give her a home.

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Originally Posted by Utta

What about the 8ft neo, would you not put anything larger then 10ft in that? :rolleyes:

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Ah, the Neodeshas. Haven't seen them in years... I don't think they came in a 4 foot wide enclosure. All these premade enclosures may have a nice length but they are way too narrow, and the height sucks as well (especially if you're keeping retics). You have to be 8x4 to put anything bigger than 10 foot in my opinion. And anything over 15 feet you need bigger than that...

If you're of the opinion that big snakes "don't move", then leave your enclosure open overnight... ;)

Chris

Hi I just want to comment on the neos. I ordered one about 8 months ago from the new company. I dont have a giant snake. I have a boa and a ball. But I just want to say, That it was shipped the same day it was ordered and I had it in 4 days. I was shocked at how fast I got it. I dont know if they make a size for what you need but I have a 3 ft cage for my ball and I am going to order a 4ft cage for my boa.. I am very happy with the quality. I love the sliding glass door

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Originally Posted by mumps

The breeder (I won't mention names) who told you that is an idiot. No way does a 4 foot tub house an adult male burm. My male is 5 and 13 - 14 feet long. How would I cram him in there?

And I have been using melamine for almost 20 years. Always made my own cages (even for bps). It might need replacing every 8 - 10 years, but for the price, it's still more cost effective than buying something premade. Besides, I have NOT found a commercially made enclosure that will house adequately (IMO) any snake larger than 10 feet.

Chris

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Thats because most idiot breeders purposely stunt the growth of Male Burms as soon as they start producing sperm plugs just to save space for there overweight Females for the future :mad:

Daniel