Caging help me!

[BallPythonBabe448]

Hey!

Um I was gonna follow this sites instructions for building cages.. It's made for burms but I figured it would work for boas too!

http://www.artisticwhispers.com/herps/cage.html

Tell me if thats ok?

Are these supplies ok to use?
Hardboard
Vinyl Coated Hard Board
Elmers wood glue

Are those safe for the snake? The hardboard would be for the top of the cage (tho I might change it to half screen or something). The Vinyl coated hardboard would be for the bottom and 3 sides, elmers wood glue would be to seal the edges and plexiglass for the viewing side and door (the same thing..)

That would be ok right? Basically a 3x4x2 .

If those arent ok what materials should I use?

I'm gonna start building them as soon as I make sure everythings safe for it.

Oh can I drill holes in the sides of the wood? (as you can tell I am not the carpenter but Im having my soon to be step dad help me)

Thanks for all the helP!

[BallPythonBabe448]

I was just told that vinyl coated hardboard would deteriorate if any water or humidity got on it, is this tru?

If so would plywood sealed in its polyurethene (sp) work?

[SatanicIntention]

I would build it out of melamine-coated particle board. It will be stronger, and you won't have to seal anything except for the joints where each piece of wood is connected to the other. You can get Aquarium sealant as well as the huge sheets of the melamine coated stuff at Home Depot. They will usually cut it for you for free, but if not, it's only $0.50 a cut anyway.

Here are a few links you can look at to build a better cage. I would heat it with a heat panel attached to the ceiling of the cage since flexxwatt or a heatpad won't go through it at all.

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/cages.shtml This one has a few different cages, as well as racks, incubators and whatnot. It seemed like a good source.

Here's another one with just one cage: http://strikingserpents.com/cage.html

That first cage just looks like junk... Sorry Ones made out of melamine will hold up better and will look better. For your male boa, I would make a 4x2x2, or maybe even a 4x30"x2 cage. I doubt he will need anything bigger, and 3 foot deep is a LONG way to reach inside for a snake. Wouldn't want you getting bit or anything if he decided to get rambunctious.

You "should" be able to get everything from Home Depot. I know the big sheets of melamine cost arouns $27 a sheet. The sealant cost $4 for a good sized tube(not those tiny tubes from the pet store). You can probably get the glass there, and cut to the dimensions you need it to be. The sliding glass tracks can be bought there, as well as the handles for the glass, and the display case lock/key. Should be fairly simple, just be sure to pre-drill your holes before you screw the screws in. I used 2" wood screws as well as wood glue. Just helps the joints be more secure.

I hope this has helped a bit, and let us know how the progress goes on your cage. I can't wait to build one myself. I bet it will look nice. Just take your time on it, don't rush, and it will turn out great.

[invadertoast]

My cage is built out of plywood, sealed with outdoor deck stain and a coat of polyurethane, with aquarium silicone around all the edges on the inside. I also put some of those cheap linoleum sticky tiles on the floor of the cage, just to make it a little more water proof. So far, I've had no problems whatsoever!

And yes, you can drill holes into wood

[BallPythonBabe448]

Thanks that helped!

[BallPythonBabe448]

Would a 6x2x2 be ok?

[SatanicIntention]

I'm sure it would be fine, just heavy as all get out. I made a 2x3x4 cage out of the melamine-coated particle board, and it probably weighs over 100lbs. We had to get it in my room with 2 people and a heavy duty dolly... So who knows how much a 6x2x2 cage is going to weigh.

Just keep in mind the ease of moving, as well as the ease of use. It will be a little expensive buying acrylic or glass doors to fit something that long. The 4x2x2 is 8sq feet, and will be very adequate for an adult male boa.

Here's a link I found: http://www.coolcrittersbylj.com/id133.htm

It is a custom built enclosure, and will be lighter than a wooden one. Didn't know if you wanted to spend that much, but building a 6x2x2 enclosure will cost you that much and more for the supplies. I'm pretty sure that person might build other sizes, so I would email him and ask.