Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm a senior in High School and I wanted to make something in Wood Shop that would serve a greater purpose than anything I've made. It's my fourth year in this class so I'd like to think I know what I'm doing. I'm going to build my first cage that will be used to house my Ball Python. It will be approx. the same dimensions as a 40 gallon aquarium except I will be trimming the height down to 9" or 10". The only choices I have as far as stock goes are Maple, Birch, Oak, Ash and Pine. For starters, which of these woods would be the best for a project like this?

Thank you in advance and any input is welcome.

-Patrick

Any of those woods will work, although if you are only allowed to use solid wood then I would avoid pine for sure and would tend to prefer oak or maple.

If you can use matching plywood for the main carcass of the cage then pick the one you like the look of the best.

Plywood is recommended as it is more stable when exposed to the interior/exterior temperature and humidity differences that reptile enclosures are known for. Although for a class project this might be a good opportunity to take advantage of grain orientation to minimize this effect.

I would also make the cage taller than 10". Cages that are significantly deeper than they are tall tend to look awkward and can effect viewing as well as make the cage harder to clean.

If the cage were 9" tall, for example, and you used stand 1.5" face frame stock, the opening would only be 6". Any door framing or hardware would only reduce this opening.

I suggest taking some cardboard and building a mockup.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

I think I know what you mean. I've got it all drawn out and there is something that looks a little off, but I couldn't see it. I just figured it would save some room since Balls don't really need the height advantage. Back to the drawing board. So plywood rather than solid due to significant temperature changes?. I don't why I never thought of that before.

-Patrick

I would stay away from oak and ash. The grain is too open on these two types of wood, making it very difficult to clean.
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Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com

Yes, plywood is more dimensionally stable in the presence of humidity and temperature changes than solid wood.

The other poster makes a good point about the open grain of oak and ash but I would still suggest using what you like. There are ways to finish the wood so that this is not a problem.

This oak cage was finished with a thick layer of bartop epoxy.

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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback