Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I snapped a quick pic, which turned out badly, of the cage I built for my two BRB's.

It is 6'X 2'X 2', has a basking light at one end and a 4' fluorescent shop light mounted to the ceiling.

The door is mounted at the bottom with two 3' piano hinges and secured at the top by three keyed locks. The door folds down completely out of the way for unrestricted access.

There is a slide-out screen just above the window level that keeps the snakes away from the lights.

There is an air tube that comes in through the center vent in the back wall, which bubbles the water dish and helps keep the humidity at 80%.

It's not the prettiest cage in the world, but it works well and provides more than enough room for my 5.5' female and 4.5' male BRB, who are both snuggled up together in the cave next to the water dish.

I've been thinking about putting some plants in the cage to add some variety...any suggestions for plants or anything else would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Bryan Whisler

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

1.1 Suriname Boas
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
0.1 Ball Python
2.2 Bearded Dragons
1.1 D. azureus
1.0 Sulcata
2.0 Eastern Box Turtles
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle
0.1 African Hedgehog
1.1 Sugar Gliders

I just wonder Is it melamine a good material to use when you have high humidity?

As far as wood caging materials go, I think melamine is close to ideal.

I've heard it can start to absorb moisture over time, but I sealed all the corners with silicone so I don't see how water will be absorbed.

The only downfall to a melamine cage is the weight, especially one this big.
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Bryan Whisler

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

1.1 Suriname Boas
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
0.1 Ball Python
2.2 Bearded Dragons
1.1 D. azureus
1.0 Sulcata
2.0 Eastern Box Turtles
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle
0.1 African Hedgehog
1.1 Sugar Gliders

Bryan,
. There are quite a few different products that we call melamine. Some of them are more water resistant than others. AFAIK all of them will eventually absorb moisture when used for humid species. The smooth shiny surface gets little scartches that eventually become big scratches and the moisture gets into the melamine and starts it to swelling. My oldest melamine cages are about 15 years old and they are about worthless and in need of replacement due to water absorption. I have newer ones that have fiberglass panels lining them and they are doing great. Melamine is a pretty good cage material but it will not last forever.
Jeff

>>As far as wood caging materials go, I think melamine is close to ideal.
>>
>>I've heard it can start to absorb moisture over time, but I sealed all the corners with silicone so I don't see how water will be absorbed.
>>
>>The only downfall to a melamine cage is the weight, especially one this big.
>>-----
>>Bryan Whisler
>>
>>"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
>>
>>1.1 Suriname Boas
>>1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
>>0.1 Ball Python
>>2.2 Bearded Dragons
>>1.1 D. azureus
>>1.0 Sulcata
>>2.0 Eastern Box Turtles
>>1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle
>>0.1 African Hedgehog
>>1.1 Sugar Gliders

Nice cage, excellent size. I could'nt suggest any plants but greenery will definitly make the cage look better. Can your BRB totally submerge in the water bowl? Other cage furniture I've found popular is a long, horizontally inclined branch. Mine love to just lay out along the branch in the evenings.
Paul

I forgot to mention: I think the four foot flourescent lights are way too bright for these snakes. If you want the light for your viewing pleasure I found a small singe 12" flourescent bulb cast a soft light.
PB

That's really nice, I like the way the front is attached.