Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive looked many places for a nice cage for my burmese and was unable to find one that met my needs. I purchased a cage from Cages by Design and am not quite satisfied w/ it. I have an idea to start building nice exotic cages that are meant for large snakes and lizards that will compliment them and provide a somewhat natural habitat feel for them. I have a whole design set out for it but im not sure how well it will sell. So im askin you guys what your ideas are on it.

You are quickly discovering that there's a lot of junk out there. I don't have the gift of making things like you do so I purchase cages that I feel meet my high standards. Right now, Habitat Systems is by far and away the best cages out there (for plastic style caging). For wood cages, Crescent Moon Creations are some of the finest cages I have ever seen; we use them for many of our exhibits at the Wildlife Discovery Center and have been very pleased with them. I would recommend trying to make a cage of high quality w/out cutting corners (but something that is economically profitable for you), flexible design (various models w/the ability for customization), and something that someone would want to put as a showpiece in their home, museum, nature center, etc..

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Ive looked many places for a nice cage for my burmese and was unable to find one that met my needs. I purchased a cage from Cages by Design and am not quite satisfied w/ it. I have an idea to start building nice exotic cages that are meant for large snakes and lizards that will compliment them and provide a somewhat natural habitat feel for them. I have a whole design set out for it but im not sure how well it will sell. So im askin you guys what your ideas are on it.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

You have allot to consider. Ventilation, heat, humidity, temp gradient, water dish, pool or not, if so-drainage and filling of pool, esthetics, hide box, growth of snake (size), security, ease of cleaning, etc. As far as close to their habitat, a burm will trash a cage and move anything not bolted down. They will also crap on everything so anything not flat will e a pain in the rear to clean and you'll get sick of it real quick. I really do not think it's practicle to make a cage for a small or juvenille burm. At least not one you would be proud to display. I've built 3 cages (2 for burm, 1 for balls). Each time I built a cage for my burm, he was to big by the time I got it finished. This last cage cost over $600 and at least 40-50 hours to build and I know you can buy a simple cage for allot less. His cage is really nice but he needs something bigger. I am going to build my final cage when I move to Michigan. It will take up a nice piece of real estate in my house but it will blend into the walls. Roughly 12 feet long, 4-5 feet deep and 6 feet tall (many levels for gradient and so I can get in to clean). It will take allot of money and then I will have this awsome cage (the one he's in now) taking up room in my house. I don't think you would get enough profit from building custom cages to make it worth your time and skill. Not to mention shipping something big enough for a large burm. Unless you live somewhere with a local market for these cages.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

You have allot to consider. Ventilation, heat, humidity, temp gradient, water dish, pool or not, if so-drainage and filling of pool, esthetics, hide box, growth of snake (size), security, ease of cleaning, etc. As far as close to their habitat, a burm will trash a cage and move anything not bolted down. They will also crap on everything so anything not flat will e a pain in the rear to clean and you'll get sick of it real quick. I really do not think it's practicle to make a cage for a small or juvenille burm. At least not one you would be proud to display. I've built 3 cages (2 for burm, 1 for balls). Each time I built a cage for my burm, he was to big by the time I got it finished. This last cage cost over $600 and at least 40-50 hours to build and I know you can buy a simple cage for allot less. His cage is really nice but he needs something bigger. I am going to build my final cage when I move to Michigan. It will take up a nice piece of real estate in my house but it will blend into the walls. Roughly 12 feet long, 4-5 feet deep and 6 feet tall (many levels for gradient and so I can get in to clean). It will take allot of money and then I will have this awsome cage (the one he's in now) taking up room in my house. I don't think you would get enough profit from building custom cages to make it worth your time and skill. Not to mention shipping something big enough for a large burm. Unless you live somewhere with a local market for these cages.

That is a really cool idea you have and would look awesome. I had the same idea but would not be able to build something into someones house due to liscencing. But all of the cages would be for large adult snakes and lizards. I have thought of everything you have mentioned and have an idea for all of them. I do not want to get into any grave details due to the possibility of my idea being stolen, but my burm is in need a of a new cage. So my functional model should be made soon. I have a few people interested in working on my idea w/ me, so i have people to deliver and put the cage together at the customers house. The biggest cages i have found are by Cages by Design and they are way to expensive for what they offer and my burm has escaped from that cage many of times. All in all, im not to happy w/ it. Maybe i have asked for advise to soon, but i will have a pic of one of the models when i am finished. Good luck on on your built in cage!

Nothing worth anything is going to be easy but those who take the easy road get what they pay for. I hope you work it out.

DZ
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell