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Please suggest, for snakes will it be better to build a long cage or a cube size cage? For example: 36" x 16" or 28" x 24"? Does it make a difference?

Thank you.

>>Please suggest, for snakes will it be better to build a long cage or a cube size cage? For example: 36" x 16" or 28" x 24"? Does it make a difference?

There are a few ways to think about this. Since you did not list a height for these cages I'll limit my comments to terrestrial snakes. Arboreal snakes add a whole new wrinkle to this conversation.

Given your example of a 36"x16" vs. 28" x 24" cage:

Some people argue that the a snake should be able to coil it's body around the perimeter of a cage without it's snout and tail overlapping. In your example both cages will have a perimeter of 104" so they're even.

But other people argue the total floor area is most important, regardless of the orientation of the cage. In your example the longer cage will actually have less floor area (576 sq. in. vs. 672 sq. in.)

On top of all this is the classical argument that a snake should be no more than twice the length of it's cage. I've always found this to be an oversimplification - the girth and activity level of a snake should also be considered. Regardless, it's not the length of the cage we should be worried about but rather the diagonal (the longest span of any square or rectangular cage).

So even though the longer cage is 8" longer than the shorter one, their diagonals are very close - 39.5" and 37" respectively.

Other arguments are more practical in nature. In your example the longer cage may better lend itself to setting up a proper thermal gradiant. Not a big deal, IMO, as you can always adjust that with creative use of ventilation, cage furnishings, etc. And it's a bigger deal for some species over others.

Then there is the issue of use of materials. One cage in your example may be easier to build with less material waste than another. In fact I design all my cages with this in mind.

You bring up a very interesting question. Keep in mind that many factors are species-specific so it's difficult to make generalizations.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

Chris makes most points regarding the enclosure so I'll only add a couple little things I would add into the consideration.

If its for a smaller species (colubrids, or smaller boa/python species) I would go with the shallower depth longer enclosure. If it is for a heavier bodied larger species (for example rainbow boas) I would go with the more square sized enclosure. (just my preferance from personal experiences)
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

Thank you so much for your help, I really need a good advice!

Once I've started on this confusing subject... I have my cages custom made by a carpenter according to exact design I give him, so I pretty much have a freedom to make what I want. Space is more of an issue for me, since I already have 20 snakes and 13 are on their way. I have a variety of snakes including colubrids & boids, but I still try to offer my snakes the most space I can.

I normally design wooden cages with wire mesh on most of the sides. Please advise what would be better used as heating device for such a setup, heat rope or heat tape? How could I add either one of them to my already made cages and what would be an ideal way to use them?

Please do note that I live in United Arab Emirates, where the temperature rarely drops below 50 F and often goes over 110 F. Live is impossible without a/c, and I have a brand new still packed a/c as a back up just in case animal room a/c stops working and needs to be changes immediately.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

>>I normally design wooden cages with wire mesh on most of the sides. Please advise what would be better used as heating device for such a setup, heat rope or heat tape?

How thick is the wooden floor of the cage? It might be hard to heat these cages with heat tape or heat rope, unfortunately.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)