Thanks so much for the additional info!

I was leaning toward Oak Ply. I was looking at Birch Ply as well. It's a little cheaper (around $30 for a 4 x 8 sheet versus $48 for the Oak Ply as you mentioned). However, now that you've mentioned that Oak is better, that seals that decision. Oak Ply it is! I also was not able to find 1/2 Oak Ply in either Home Depot or Lowes. I think a specialty lumber place like 84 Lumber would be a better bet.

I am also building a nice cabinet for it, so this is going to be a nice piece of furniture.

Regarding the cage lining. I heard there exists a flexible roll of sheeting that is a PVC sheet with an adhesive background. This can easily be cut and applied to the insides of the enclosure.

I am actually roughly following plans that I purchased from this place:

http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com/

As mentioned in my original post, I am planning on the lights sitting on top, outside of the enclosure (however, the holes for the lights will have no obstructions--no screening, etc.).

So, questions are:

1. Since the top and bottom will not be visible from the outside, is it okay to use a cheaper 3/4" plywood for these pieces, or should I use the Oak Plywood for the entire thing? This is a purely aesthetical question. My initial reason for using Oak Ply was just because it would look better. I will surely use Oak Ply for all pieces if it is better for my Uro.

2. Do you have any insight into what the proper height of the enclosure should be given that the lights will be sitting on the top of the enclosure? I see your height will be 24 inches, but I'm assuming your installing the lights inside because you're building a stacked enclosure.

3. Have you ever heard of the flexible PVC sheeting? Apparently, they sell it here: http://www.contactbrand.com/, but I haven't been able to find it on their website.

4. I'm curious how you came up with the depth measurement of 27". It seems like an odd number. I have been struggling a bit with the depth myself. I think I've settled on 2.5 feet (30", however, I initially was leaning toward 24", only because this seems to be some kind of standard, but since I'm building this thing custom, I figured I can make it any depth I want. I was originally going to make it 5 feet wide, but decided on 6 feet.

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