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.

Let's have some details.

Bill

Habitat Systems makes large cages. Their cages are some of the best on the market, if not the best. However, they are very expensive.

I dont know want to discuss any details until i have a functional model so that i can secure my ideas. But i will say that some will be bigger than any cage on the market, and will cost less than some of the larger cages out there. The cages will be built to the snakes natural habitat and will be a walk in cage. The frame will be made out of lacquered wood (you will be able to pick from different types of wood) w/ plexi glass windows. Their will also be built in areas for heat lamps. My Burmese needs a bigger cage and im not spending thousands of dollars again for another cage im not satisfied w/. So building a model is one of my top priorities and should be done soon. I will post a pic once i am done. The cages i want to build are not for many hobbyists, considering many hobbyists dont care about the look of their living quarters due to the amount of snakes they own. These cages will be built mainly for show, but will also create a superb home for your snake.

I don't know too many educated python keepers that would be interested in walking into a large python's habitat. That is generally not an acceptable husbandry method for a large, potentially deadly animal. I think it would be great for smaller species like boas, tree boas and tree pythons. Unless your thoughts are geared more towards zoo exhibits, I'm not sure how much of a market there would be for them. Just my thoughts.

>>I don't know too many educated python keepers that would be interested in walking into a large python's habitat....

LOL! Thanks.

ok.... where else are you goin to keep a 20 ft snake? Its the same as gettin a room for it now isnt it? I have a walk in cage as it is and i have had no bad experiences, not sayin none will happen but i dont see how you are to have a huge snake in a non walk in cage. Plus jus having a huge snake is a risk in itself.

An 8 or 10 foot cage is big enough for a 20 foot retic. I had 18 footers in the old 8 foot Neodeshas that had plenty of room. I don't think another 24 inches would have mattered that much. You get into an enclosure to feed an adult retic with a rabbit on tongs chances are once the snake smells food its going to go for the larger prey item (meaning you). If you ever saw a very large retic at feeding time I expect you would rethink your plans. Good luck

I've learned that a snake is most comfortable when it can extend almost somewhat from one end of the cage to another. Not meaning you need a 20 ft long cage, but one at least more than half the size of the snake. Also w/ the feedings, we obviously have different feeding procedures. Once i open my snakes door, he is almost immediately already tryin to get outside. So i jus direct him into the kitchen and feed him in there. After he is done i let him sit for a few hours. After that i open the kitchen back up and he slithers back into the living room and i direct him back to his cage. He use to have a feeding response when i first bought him, but he has calmed down alot since i've done this. But i can see now why you wouldnt want to step inside your retics cage.

I doubt that there would be much of a market for a cage like you describe but I may be wrong. On an off note, IMO...your feeding habits with your snake may be flirting with disaster. I know that everyone has their own way of doing certain things that work for them but I personally wouldn't want to attempt removing a retic from his cage at feeding time and then try to get him back. Most retics I've come accross virtually turn into monsters at feeding time, often striking at whatever they can. Once my retics smell food, they will often strike at my movement ouside of the cage. It just leaves to many opportunities available for a potentially bad accident.

I dont own a retic, i own a burmese. But nontheless they are both large snakes and do have tempers. I understand most of you might not see how i feed the snake the same way i do, but i mean, if the snake is wondering around the kitchen tryin to explore... why not let him roam back to his cage. I do not try and force him or anything that will put stress on the animal. Honestly, I dont see how my method is as "unsafe" as feeding large snakes in their cage. Considering being fed in their cage comes with the feeding response behind it, making every time you have to venture into the cage a very unpleasant and nerve shaking experience. When i first purchased my burm he had the typical feeding responce, but he has calmed down quite a bit since my method of feeding. He doesnt even mind me walking inside his cage anymore. But to each his own.