5/8 melamine shelves will not bow under the weight of the snake. I am currently building two 28qt racks using 5/8 black melamine. I actually got 12 shelf pieces out of one sheet. If you are careful with your cuts and cut the right way its a breeze. Remember melamine sheets are 97" x 49". That extra inch goes a long way. My racks will be 1166%3 shelves and of course the top.