Burm and Retic Cages Size?

I plan on building some mealimine cages for some of my burms. I am asuming that a 6 by 3 by 2 foot cage would be big enough for most burms. I even recall Jim Casper saying that the bigest cage he uses for 20 foot retics is a 6 by 3 by 2. Does that sound right? I also plan on aquiring some adult tics soon and plan on keeping males and smaller females in 6by3s and only putting larger girls in 8 by 4 by 2s. Is that reasonible? I just keep hearing different things.:mad

-Tim

The search button is always a good place to start.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ight=cage+size

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ight=cage+size

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ight=cage+size

I would recommend that you make your cage 79" x 30" x 18". That gives you the biggest bang for your buck. You can make your cage out of EXACTLY two sheets of melamine without wasting any.

I believe that plywood cages that are caulked and painted are a better choice than melamine. If your melamine becomes damages it is quick to absorb moisture and whatever disgustingness comes out of your snake to provide that moisture LOL.

For adult burms and retics, the SMALLEST I would go is 8X4X2. This size is okay for anything up to 15 feet. Anything larger and I woud definitely go bigger. The idea of a 20 foot snake in something 6 feet long is akin to animal cruelty in my opinion. Especiallly retics, who are super active by nature. Everyone who owns one knows how exploratory they are when handling; why keep them in such a tiny enclosure? I suppose it depends on your outlook. Are you keeping these animals to enjoy them or to simply make a buck?

I use melamine, and if you seal the edges with aquarium silicone, and then duct tape over that, you will have an enclosure that will last a good number of years. Be sure to include a brace at the midpoint. I cut a U shape and it runs, upside down, from the front to the back.

Again, these are my opinions and that's what you asked for.

Chris

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomfromtheshade

I would recommend that you make your cage 79" x 30" x 18". That gives you the biggest bang for your buck. You can make your cage out of EXACTLY two sheets of melamine without wasting any.

I believe that plywood cages that are caulked and painted are a better choice than melamine. If your melamine becomes damages it is quick to absorb moisture and whatever disgustingness comes out of your snake to provide that moisture LOL.

---

I've read through a number of your enclosure recommendation posts, and all I can find is how it makes life easier for you; no concern for the snakes housed within.

I have 8x4 enclosures, 2 feet tall, and I can heat them quite well, and crawl inside them to clean the back areas. It's a little more work; yes, but the added space, which is used, I find beneficial to my animals.

Chris

Thanks guys I really apreciate it. Some breeders are really crazy about the size cages they keep larger animals in. I 'm in the process of building a stack of 3 8 by 4s and I'm probally gonna build some 79" x 30" x 18"s in the near future. :cool:

-Tim

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomfromtheshade

I would recommend that you make your cage 79" x 30" x 18". That gives you the biggest bang for your buck. You can make your cage out of EXACTLY two sheets of melamine without wasting any.

I believe that plywood cages that are caulked and painted are a better choice than melamine. If your melamine becomes damages it is quick to absorb moisture and whatever disgustingness comes out of your snake to provide that moisture LOL.

---

Thats a good idea.
lol. Don't want that.:colbert:

Mines a tad over 14' and the cage I built her is 28" high x 32" deep x 96" long.

A good rule is for every foot of snake, you should have a square foot of floor space. 6X3 is good for an animal up to 18 feet...

at op,

how many cages are gonna be stacked? because if u ask me stacking 2 mel cages over 6ft is a bad idea simply because of how flimsy the stuff is and then when u throw a possibly 120(healthy weight right?) burm in that its just not a good combo without some kind of frame work being included. and also if your gonna stack em more then 2 i wouldent go much further then 32'' only because itll be an absolute pain to clean them properly or atleast for me i dont know many people with a 4ft long arm to reach the back lol

for refrence right now im in the middle of building a cage that is 72x32x24 for my male retic because of how active he is and hes alittle over 7'' and i am 99% sure this will be his final enclosure because of him being a runt

Muddy, totally off-topic but I just read your signature and it made me chuckle :)

:hijackd:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mumps

For adult burms and retics, the SMALLEST I would go is 8X4X2. This size is okay for anything up to 15 feet. Anything larger and I woud definitely go bigger. The idea of a 20 foot snake in something 6 feet long is akin to animal cruelty in my opinion. Especiallly retics, who are super active by nature. Everyone who owns one knows how exploratory they are when handling; why keep them in such a tiny enclosure? I suppose it depends on your outlook. Are you keeping these animals to enjoy them or to simply make a buck?

I use melamine, and if you seal the edges with aquarium silicone, and then duct tape over that, you will have an enclosure that will last a good number of years. Be sure to include a brace at the midpoint. I cut a U shape and it runs, upside down, from the front to the back.

Again, these are my opinions and that's what you asked for.

Chris

---

Animal cruelty? Better become a vegetarian, since they keep 5-10 chickens in 2x2ft cages.

Retics should have cages a bit bigger than burm, that I agree with.
However, we have a 15ft burm at the zoo in a cage 20ft long and 6ft wide. I don't think I've ever seen her move out of the same 5x5ft corner by her water. It's the biggest waste of space I've ever seen.

Burms would be ok in a 6-7ftx3-4ft cage until 18ft. Retics I think should be in 8-9ft cages since they are more active.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JCure

A good rule is for every foot of snake, you should have a square foot of floor space. 6X3 is good for an animal up to 18 feet...

---

That implies that 18x1 would be suitable for an 18 foot snake.

I highly disagree with this 'rule of thumb', ESPECIALLY when it comes to big snakes.

Could you imagine a theoretical 30 footer in a 10x3?

The supposed "square foot of cage = foot length of snake" really is just a suggestion for, say, corn snakes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

Animal cruelty? Better become a vegetarian, since they keep 5-10 chickens in 2x2ft cages.

Retics should have cages a bit bigger than burm, that I agree with.
However, we have a 15ft burm at the zoo in a cage 20ft long and 6ft wide. I don't think I've ever seen her move out of the same 5x5ft corner by her water. It's the biggest waste of space I've ever seen.

Burms would be ok in a 6-7ftx3-4ft cage until 18ft. Retics I think should be in 8-9ft cages since they are more active.

---

Burms are nocturnal, she is probably way more active at night. I have mine in a 3' x 8' cage and the minute I open her doors she wants to come out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

Retics should have cages a bit bigger than burm, that I agree with.
However, we have a 15ft burm at the zoo in a cage 20ft long and 6ft wide. I don't think I've ever seen her move out of the same 5x5ft corner by her water. It's the biggest waste of space I've ever seen.

Burms would be ok in a 6-7ftx3-4ft cage until 18ft. Retics I think should be in 8-9ft cages since they are more active.

---

i dont really think a zoo would apply simply because of the level of traffic an animal would have to put up with, and the fact that zoos really dont provide hides because the snake would hide in the hide and would deture visitors from going into the reptile house/room/whatever. with retics its diffrent because of how smart they are and they are just a "braver" snake.. iv read countless reports of even babies not useing hides and never missing a meal, my guy would rather be on his hide then in it so i think this should be takin into account

also if your getting into a retic personally id love to give my guy a cage 8x5x6+ because they are aboreal if givin the chance burms arnt, burms dont need the height but i think 8x4x2 would be more then appropriate for most of em unles your getting into the 18+ foot burms whos actually active

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mainbutter

That implies that 18x1 would be suitable for an 18 foot snake.

I highly disagree with this 'rule of thumb', ESPECIALLY when it comes to big snakes.

Could you imagine a theoretical 30 footer in a 10x3?

The supposed "square foot of cage = foot length of snake" really is just a suggestion for, say, corn snakes.

---

You are right. Every large constrictor breeder out there is wrong.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JCure

You are right. Every large constrictor breeder out there is wrong.

---

Haha. Though I do disagree with the rule of thumb i believe if you put this "rule" into effect with a min of a 3 foot deep cage it should apply nicely.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MitsuMike

Haha. Though I do disagree with the rule of thumb i believe if you put this "rule" into effect with a min of a 3 foot deep cage it should apply nicely.

---

Exactly... Sorry I should have specified that. I thought for giant keepers this was common sense...

You guys talk about 18' and 20+' snakes like they are the norm. Most burms in captivity are well under 16' as adults.

If anyone feels that the 79" x 30" x 18" cages would not be sufficient for 99.999% of burmese pythons then we will just have to agree to disagree.

The world record reticulated python was 32' 9" long. Most retics don't hit half that length.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't be prepared to build any burm or retic an 8' cage, but it won't be necessary for MOST animals.

I can understand for breeders to have 6x3 to save on space as they can do find in them and thrive, ask Sam Bearden.
But if you have the space and you only have 1-2 giving it some extra room by having a 8x3 isn't bad either. I am going this route only b/c I have 1 burm and feel like giving him the extra space (and b/c it will fit nicely on my 8x3x3 tegu cage I am building in June haha)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

Burms would be ok in a 6-7ftx3-4ft cage until 18ft. Retics I think should be in 8-9ft cages since they are more active.

---

Burmese pythons are one of the most under-appreciated snakes for their activity level, intelligence, awareness, and potential irritability.

It seems that everyone seems to think that all big burms are lazy stupid snakes that are tame 200lb+ fat noodle shaped lap puppies.

I personally disagree with the above assessment that the hobby seems to apply to burms. They need every bit as much space as retics, and are more active and intelligent than most people give them credit for.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mainbutter

Burmese pythons are one of the most under-appreciated snakes for their activity level, intelligence, awareness, and potential irritability.

It seems that everyone seems to think that all big burms are lazy stupid snakes that are tame 200lb+ fat noodle shaped lap puppies.

I personally disagree with the above assessment that the hobby seems to apply to burms. They need every bit as much space as retics, and are more active and intelligent than most people give them credit for.

---

I totally agree. Our 8-10ish year old burm male is our most active snake, unless he's in shed or the 24 hours after eating. Slither action - must. Slither. NOW!

We have him in a 8 ' x 3' x 2' cage and I'm very glad he has the room to roam and coil in various and hilarious "piles of snake".

I'm sure he would do fine in a smaller cage, but the boy sure slithers a lot...as well as pees and defecates a lot - more room is certainly better for my boy. =)