Made a Custom AP Split Level Condo

[Zuri Indigo]

I absolutely Love my AP A25 cage it’s 4 ft wide and 4 ft high. My Jungle Carpet, Esmarelda utilizes all of it and she is very interesting to watch.


I wanted another one to house Olivia, my Olive Python, but I was restrained by available space. I only had 37 inches of vertical room, so a 48 inch tall cage would not fit.

My solution was to sandwich two T -10’s together with a 5” - 4.5” PVC pipe reducer. I had to cut a 5” hole in the top of the bottom cage, and another 5” hole in the bottom of the top cage.

To keep water and waste from seeping around and down from the pipe reducer I sealed the hole with a flexible putty like weather seal.


This gave me a 30” tall cage with seven inches left over for to set up a Herpstat 6 on top of this cage and two others, all with UTHs and RHPs.

As as some of you know, I am a big believer in offering options, so I added a lot.

Though hard to see, behind the perches on both levels are shelves. Each level has a Skyhide on the cool side and floor hides on the warm side.

The bottom level has a UTH and the top level has an RHP.

Olivia uses every comfort offered to her; both Skyhides, floor hides, both shelves and perches, and both heat sources.

I figure that this custom condo will work until she is 6.5-7 ft, then I’ll move her to a 6 ft cage, then an 8 footer if she gets 9-10 ft.

Now, for those of you wondering why there are all of those extra clips near the Skyhides? I was shortsighted when installed the Skyhide in Esmarelda’s A-25. I installed a Large Skyhide without thinking about her outgrowing it. The following pic will explain.


Esmarelda tried to force herself into that hide and as a result snapped 4 clips and the hide with her in it fell a short distance onto the top shelf. She stayed in it for a day that way.

Installing Skyhide is ten times easier if done Before the cage is put together. That is why I added extra clips for Olivia’s Skyhides.

Where did you find the wood perch that you have a cross the whole length resting on the v bracket? I have been looking low and high for a branch to use. I don't have the space to clean one or property to cut my own. Just hoping for a suggestion.

Really informative and creative post.thank you so much for sharing with us!


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[Reinz]

Where did you find the wood perch that you have a cross the whole length resting on the v bracket? I have been looking low and high for a branch to use. I don't have the space to clean one or property to cut my own. Just hoping for a suggestion.

Really informative and creative post.thank you so much for sharing with us!


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The bottom perch is from a Crate Myrtle (sp?) tree I pruned and let it season for a year.

The top perch came from Lowes. I believe it was called something like a timber stake(?) that I found in the garden department rather than inside with the fencing supplies. It was an 8 foot stake with one end tapered to make a stake. I just needed 4 feet, so that didn’t matter.

[redshepherd]

oh how clever!! good work!! Also I always love the idea of your sky hides. Maybe I'll give one to my little scrub as well.

[Reinz]

Thank you.

All of my snakes use Skyhides when given the opportunity, except for my big bodied Boa. I have not been able to find a hide large enough for him until today. When I get him a new enclosure I will install one for him.

Even my 17 year old BP uses one. She won’t use a hide on the ground anymore as long as there is a Skyhide available.


Elvira, Normal BP.

[Zuri Indigo]

Thank you.

All of my snakes use Skyhides when given the opportunity, except for my big bodied Boa. I have not been able to find a hide large enough for him until today. When I get him a new enclosure I will install one for him.

Even my 17 year old BP uses one. She won’t use a hide on the ground anymore as long as there is a Skyhide available.


Elvira, Normal BP.

Yeah I'm thinking about giving my little guy a skyhide as well and seeing if he likes it.such a clever idea.


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[Dxw425]

That’s pretty awesome

[BR8080]

Spectacular job Reinz!!!

[Bogertophis]

Reinz, I love what you did with this enclosure...but who cares about my opinion? What counts is that your snake loves it! Great job!

Zuri Indigo: what about a wooden closet rod? Nice diameter, super sturdy, & you could add "texture" to it. Home improvement store will cut to length for you.
If you were nearby, I actually have a spare one in my garage, lol.
(Re: "Where did you find the wood perch that you have a cross the whole length resting on the v bracket? I have been looking low and high for a branch to use. I don't have the space to clean one or property to cut my own. Just hoping for a suggestion.")

[Reinz]

Reinz, I love what you did with this enclosure...but who cares about my opinion? What counts is that your snake loves it! Great job!

Zuri Indigo: what about a wooden closet rod? Nice diameter, super sturdy, & you could add "texture" to it. Home improvement store will cut to length for you.
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Thank you Boger

Closest rods do work well. I have some in a few of my other cages. One thing to keep in mind, I’m not sure if they can be found in anything other than pine or cedar. I used pine, but I stained them just as a precaution. I know the pine thing is controversial and all about phenols, oil, blah ,blah. Also it’s just a bit more work and expense.

What I like about the timber stakes is that they are 3/4-1 inch larger in diameter and they are more natural looking. For me, I will stay with the stakes for future cages.

add: I was going to show a pic of my stained perches, but Tapatalk would not let me edit for some reason.

[Bogertophis]

The closet rods I have around are coated but that's a good point about the kind of wood. I wouldn't worry too much about pine but it's not very strong
compared to other kinds of wood, I didn't think they used pine for closet rods? I can't tell from the wood grain what mine are but some sort of hard wood
I'd have to assume.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_woods

Another thing you could use for "branches" are bamboo poles...a local feed store has them, 6' long & economical. Just not as big around...