Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey onebigred can you give me your plans for your cage? for your burm 8x3x3
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Lee

1.0 Burmese Python (Caesar)
0.1 Ball Python (Kadin)
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Zoey)
0.0.3 Green Iguana (Bart)(iggy)(spaz)
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
0.0.1 Parakeet (Petey)
0.1 German Shepard (Missy)
0.1 Doberman (Tanner)
0.1 Cat (whatever)
1.1 Mice ( )

I do some things a little different than you might. I dont know how you are going to keep it up off the ground, But on mine I just run the 4 corner posts down an extra 4 inches on mine. If you are going to be doing it different, just change this. I also use all 2x2 lumber for the frame, and half inch waferboard.

I start out on the bottom, and cut your plywood 8x3. Then I border the edge with 2x2. I put all my frame on the outside of the cage for a better seal. I then measure and cut my four corner posts and cut them. So they would be about 3'6" each. Then I put 4 more posts on the other edge of the corners. You can run these down to give extra support to your legs, or just cut them off at 3' and put them on later to hold your sides.

Then I measure and Cut out the back panel out of the waferboard, so it should be 8x3 also, or close to there. and attach it.

Then I measure and Cut the sides peices. They should be right about 3x3. and attach them.

Then I cut and attach the top, it should be about 8x3 and screw it to the corner posts. It will stick out a bit past the sides and the back, but this is good. Then I take and put a 2x2 along the back where the top and back meet. so they cant bow out the back and get out, and for stability. If you dont feel its stable enough, you can also put similar peices along the sides.

You will need to run a 2x2 or 2x4 along the top on the front, inside the cage to hook the door on. Which you use will depend on the type of material you use for the door. If you use glass, and its pretty heavy, I would use the 2x4, but plexiglas should be light enough to just use the 2x2.

For the door, I would build it so its split. you can do it all, but it will be easier to get your snake put back up if you can leave one side of it closed. If you use plexiglass, build the frame out of 2x4, and make sure to predrill, and then just screw it in. If you do glass, you will have to frame it in somehow. and you can make it so it opens up or down, whichever is easier.

For the vents, just trace around the outside of your vents, and mark the holes, and draw a line inside that will give the slots clearance, and then screw em in.

Its great that you are going 8x3 for the base, but I would really recommend not going more than 2' for the height. I made that mistake on my first cage, and its just a lot of wasted space. And then I had the big pain of choppin it all off later. The snake isnt gonna use it, and all your gonna do with it is heat it up. I would even go 18". It doesnt really sound like much but unless your snake has massive girth, its not gonna need it.

I hope this all works out for you. Ive built a couple like that, and im gettin ready to build a couple more. good luck and let me know with anymore questions.

Dustin
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1.0 Albino Green Burm
0.2 Normal Burm
1.1 Java Retic