Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I have been wanting to build a custom enclosure for my Prehensile-tailed skinks for some time now. Last year, I had access to a menagerie of tools, so building my enclosure would have been simple then, but I did not have the time. This year I have the time, but no longer have access to tools. This complicates things a bit. I just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions on what to do. I have checked the phonebook and have found a couple of "handymen" that do small wiring jobs, build entertainment systems, etc. I thought that the handymen might be a good option for me. My town does have a couple of home improvement stores, but I am not sure how much help they will offer. I am at a bit of a loss, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Josh

This is really not a problem. You can utilize places like cabinet shops and sometimes even Home Depot to build simple cages. A hammer and nails plus some glue is often all you need.

First, describe what kind of cage you would like to build. I bet Bighurt, Rainbows-R-Us, myself and others could come up with some sort of solution. Size, material, ventilation, let us know and we can probably help.

I have kept Prehensile Tailed Skinks but have also seen them in a lot of different styles of cages. I have even seen them kept in very simple cages made from PVC pipe frames with wire mesh.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

Chris,
What type of cage I want is also a problem. Here is what I really would like in a cage:
1. Ability to maintain and withstand humid conditions
2. Collapsible
3. Durability
4. Heat retention
5. At least 4.5 feet tall, 2.5 feet wide, and 3 feet long.

I want to have a cage that can maintain and withstand humid conditions as my lizards need humid conditions.
I want it to be collapsible so I can move it by myself and fit it into a vehicle that does not have "U-Haul" on it's side. Have you heard of reptariums, the cages made of pvc tubing and joints with a mesh zippered covering? Well that is what comes to mind when I think of collapsible. I was thinking of a super sized reptarium frame of aluminum 2 by 2 square tubing and joints. The only problem I see is attaching anything ( such as the walls of the cage) to the aluminum.
Obviously my reasons for wanting durability and heat retention in a cage are no mystery.
The size of the cage is flexible, but I want my lizards to have plenty of climbing space.

For cage materials, first the aluminum tubing frame. I need to attach the solid sides of the cage to the aluminum, but I am not sure how to do that. I would like to use sheets of HDPE for the sides of the cage. FRP is another option, but I think I would need to glue it to something for strength. I am open to other materials, but I would really prefer to keep away from wood. Mainly due to the humidity factor, and I don't want to mess around with sealants. I was thinking about a sliding glass door on the long side. I think that would look nice and I can't really think of how to build in a hinged door. I would like a solid top so I can build in a RHP. I would like the bottom of the cage to be able to have a drain. For ventilation, I was thinking of two simple vents, one at the bottom and one on the top of the opposite wall. I was thinking of building in small fans in the vents, but that is not necessary.
I am really flexible on all aspects of the cage, but what I have listed is what I am thinking. I am sorry if I am being a pain. Thanks for all of the help. Josh

Sorry, I forgot to add something. I was thinking about using one of those plastic cement mixing tubs for the bottom of the cage. I thought it might be nice for ease of cleaning. The only problem I see with this is attaching my cage furniture (LARGE pieces of grape wood and other branches) to the mixing tub. Again, sorry if I am being a pain, and thanks agian for the help. Josh

This is my female Prehensile-tailed skink. Just thought you should see who the cage is for.

Chris and I have been discussing this very type of construction in emails for a few weeks now. This last weekend I closely examined cages made by Freedom Breeder at the NARBC show in Tinley, IL to see just how they designed their units around removable trays. Alas, they seem to be using a propriatery design with a tray-holding lip built into the the powder-coated frame of the the unit. I haven't been able to find any similar kind of tubing from any of the manufacturers Chris and I have been checking out. For ease of construction, I'm now simply considering construction that would allow a deep bottom section to hold substrate with a door or whatever means of access placed above. Speaking from experience, I've tried disassemble some cages made from alu-tubing with plastic connectors and they didn't come apart easily. In fact the tubing was dented by the use of a hammer to encourage disassembly. These were wire bird-type cages but still I think the products out there are likely to create a very secure joint which will make disassembly difficult. Outwater might have something that could be taken apart and reassembled more easily. I haven't looked at their stuff in a while.
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Matt Campbell

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." John Muir

If a modular cage is what you want then the aluminum tubing and connectors are a good choice. A bit expensive but it will likely make a lifetime cage.

Eztube.com is probably the best and most versatile of these and also the one place that would probably build you your cage and ship it to you unassembled. But I image it would be pricey. I also understand it is difficult to take their product apart.

Outwater and Brunner both carry a similar product.

I would play around with your options with these companies. I'm sure you'll come up with something.

I would recommend that you consider a cage that can be broken down into panels and not all of it's individual parts. I think it will save you money and make for a more durable cage that will better retain heat and humidity. Then you only need to worry about taking apart some of the joints instead of all of them.

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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

This one uses plastic tubing and connectors
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

As far as attatching the walls to a tube frame, if you can get a drill you could use zip ties.
Chris,
Ok, think of the frame... The top and bottom will be two squares and the walls will be four tubes. If the four "wall tubes" were just a bit smaller in diam than the joint used for the tops and the bottom and he used a nut/bolt to secure them and used some type of spacer, then he would have a strong joint and an easy to break down cage... yes? no?
Just trying to think this one out a bit.. I never said Iwas smart.......LOL

I think that is similar to the method I would use. But it may prove difficult to Hide the nut and bolt. I know you can get threaded rod in 48" lengths so it is a defenite possibility again the nut and bolt on each end. And of course milling the connectors to accept said nut and bolt.

Good thinking.
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.10 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.2 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child -coming soon-

I'll check this one again tomorrow AM after some coffee, LOL.

Time for bed...
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)