Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone
I was interested in making a Large cage. Right now it would be for my ball python but i might consider getting a Boa in the future. Or maybe making one large tank but sectioning it off and having doors to each so i guess its many tanks connected

I was thinking of something around 8-10 feet long, 6 high and 2.5 wide. I had a couple of ideas on what to use to make it. I was thining of a plywood back, where i will make a fake rock wall. for the rest of the cage i was thinking of using acrylic. I dont know the thickness i would need can someone help me out. As for the border, one idea was to use metal like you would see on stores by the window. I am not sure what its called. Does anyone know of something else that would be better. Another idea is always wood. And for the top and bottom i really havent thought about it because i now have the issue of heat. Do i want back heat of belly heat. How would i if i wanted to do belly heat go about that. i was thinking a combo of the both.

Does anyone have an idea of where i should go to get the supplies. I shopped around at a few place but i wanted some other ideas. I was thinking ebay for the acrylic and they will cut it for me.

Anything else i shoudl include or think about when making a cage of this size...?

Thanks for your help in advance,
Joey

>>I was interested in making a large cage... I was thinking of something around 8-10 feet long, 6 high and 2.5 wide.

This sounds like a massive undertaking.

Maybe I'm not following you. Are you saying you want a *single* cage that is 10' x 2.5' x 6' and that you might go back and divide it up later? Or are you saying you want a bank of cages that fills up that much space?

>>For the rest of the cage i was thinking of using acrylic.

Working with acrylic has a steep learning curve and I would not recommend it for such a large cage regardless. With its tendency to warp when exposed to thermal gradiants I would only use it for smaller, individual cages.

The thickness you would need to provide structure for such a large cage would be VERY cost prohibitive.

>>Do i want back heat or belly heat?

In a cage that size it certainly won't hurt to provide a Kane Heat Mat, but you'll need someting to heat the air. One large radiant heat panel might work depending on how cool the room will get throughout the year.

>>Does anyone have an idea of where i should go to get the supplies?

I think you really need to decide what it is you want to accomplish. If the largest snakes species you will keep is a boa constrictor that cage is excessively large.

The only other comment I might make is that for what it sounds like you're trying to accomplish you'll need a fair amount of skill. Since you're asking basic questions about where to get materials, etc., I'm guessing you need to try something a bit more simple first.

But perhaps you're a skilled craftsman in other areas and are simply asking about other materials you've not used. My appolgies if so.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

Chris you handled that better than I would have LOL I was thinking pretty much along the same lines though.
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Hope this helps.

BigT