Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am building a new cage for my black rat snakes nad I have a couple questions about it. for some background it will be built out of OSB with plexiglass on each end, and 2 plexiglass doors. I'll have FRP paneling for the floor and sides (fiberglass reinforced plastic paneling...basically really thin sheets of weak plastic) for waterproofing, then my substrate on top of that. I will cut a hole in the top for my heat light to shine through, but here are some questions I have on this cage.

It will be 6 feet long, 3 feet high, and 2 feet deep. I have one licorice stick black rat and one regular black rat. I was planning on putting a plexiglass divider in the center also, that way someone could look all the way through it. However, I was wondering would this make my snakes go crazy looking at each other? Also, is it even necessary to keep them seperated? I've heard conflicting viewpoints on this subject.

Finally, how long could I expect a cage like this to last for, before they outgrow it? If it is divided, there will be two cages, each being 3 feet long, 3 feet tall, and 2 feet deep. is this a decent size for a tank? And where do I put the air holes? I figured if I put them in the top, then the heat would go right out, so should I keep them lower? The doors will not be flush fitting (mainly because they are going to be made out of a 1/4 clear acrylic sheet, and they're butting up against wood.)

picture attached.

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The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -Unknown

Nice design but you'll definately need to have it vented. I think that is the most important feature that a lot of people over look. A well vented enclosure keeps the overall cage temp from getting to hot. Heat lights heat the air inside the enclosure so you might want to go with an under tank heater with that enclosure.

Why not make some sort of screen top? You can get a piece of screen for a screen door for a decent price and it's strong enough to keep the snakes inside.(just dont get the real cheap stuff!) I had made an enclosure a long time ago and make the opening/closing lid on the top inside of the doors you have in the front. I drilled a few small holes in the back of the tank and had the screen top. Fresh air for the snake and it was easier to control the temp since it had good ventalation.

You could alway put a divider between the two snakes so they can't see each other. Thats as simple as a backing you can buy from a pet store.