Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know where I can get detailed plans for a rack design to house Rosy's and colubrids? Nothing to complex, as I am not a cabinet maker by profession. I would like to keep around a dozen or so animals. Not too heavy and heated. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks-
Brett

Brett,

I don't know of any "detailed" plans. Racks are pretty simple designs, their effectiveness is in the execution, not the details.

Will most of your specimens require full sized sweater boxes about 22" x 16" x 6"? If so, you should probably build two separate racks for a dozen snakes. If most of them can be kept in boxes half that size then one rack will probably work.

If you think you can get by with some basic rack plans and modify them to your needs post back and I'll dig up some old links for you. None of them are detailed, however.

Thanks Chris...I have been contemplating just purchasing some racks from plastic manufacturers. It seems that it might be a little more expensive than purchasing melamine or something else. Not really sure. I've seen some pretty decent deals that include the tubs. To answer your question that would be a yes on the size. I would like to give them some room to breed and be comfortable. If you have any ideas for me that would be greatly appreciated. I just know that I need to do something quick, like in the next 2 weeks (just acquired 5 boas). I just need the basic "how to's" size screws, placing the heat, measuring etc....Thanks for the response!!

Brett

Hi Brett,

If light weight is your primary concern then building your own is probably not the best idea. You could build the racks from 1/4" expanded PVC but I don't think that is the best material for small colubrids or live-bearing snakes such as your Rosy Boas.

I can think of two racks that are light and would be fairly secure for rosy boas and small colubrids. My favorite is that available from Jason's Jungle. He keeps rosy and sand boas and his racks, constructed from 1/2" expanded PVC, are excellent for them.

Another rack is Doug Barr's - herpcages. com - they should be very light and secure. I have not seen these racks in person, however, so I can't make a full recommendation for the particular species you keep. I suspect they would work fine.

Be forwarned that many of the other plastic racks on the market are very heavy and/or not secure enough for what you keep. Some plastic sheets weigh as much or more than plywood so don't fall into the trap of assuming that any plastic rack will be light.

At any rate, below is a link for building a hatchling rack. I like the link because it shows building a rack upside down - the way I like to do it.

http://arbreptiles.com/cages/rack.shtml

But I don't like to use the boxes as spacers. Instead I cut the spacers from scrap melamine. Scroll down to step 2 in the link below to see the melamine spacers. I use these instead of the boxes - again building the rack upside down.

http://finegtps.com/Racks.htm

For your racks I would find the rubbermaid 28 qt. boxes or the Stertile 32 qt. boxes. Sterilites 28 qt. box would also work but I don't like the raised feet on the bottom. This will make the boxes less secure for the species you keep.

The rubbermaid 28 qt. box will allow you to fit 7 boxes in a 4' tall rack. The sterilite 32 qt. will allow 6.

Have the large boxes slide in width-wise. This will allow you to use two half-sized boxes on any level.

You should be able to see that in the picture below. Some levels have one large box, others have two half sized boxes. This also makes for a slightly lighter rack.

This particular rack (which was only holding reptile supplies when the picture was taken) has 1/2" plywood sides and 3/4" melamine shelves. For a back I taped on a piece of foil-covered, strene insulation. Heat tape can be attached here as well for heat. It cost me about $40.

I was just in walmart tonight. The 28 qt. sterilite has been redesigned and should be fine.

Chris-

I just want to know who do you think you are helping me out?!!! You sit there and take your time writing to me and I've seen you help others out the same way. Unreal!!! Joking aside... I had a really bad day today dealing with some dishonest human lifeforms and you really made my day, writing back and spending time helping me out. I am going to take your suggestions and run with it. I'm pretty decent at building stuff. I know it's not brain surgery but I just needed some general ideas to get started. Again ...Thank you for taking your time to write back. Much appreciated!! I'll let you know how it worked out.

Brett