Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Wanted to say Hello as I'm new to the forum. I also have a question on my door design. Sorry, this might be a bit long. I am building a cage for a Burm that I am taking off a buddy of mine. He is keeping it in horrible conditions and I just can't take it any more. Please don't get on me about the size of the cage. I know that it will need bigger, but I just don't have the room right now. I am currently renting, but expect to have a home with my own snake room within the year. The burm is approx 11 foot right now, and I am constructing a cage out of 3/4" melamine. Dimentions are 72"L, 24"W, and 21"H. I didn't want to have the whole front fold down so I purchased two 13-by-30 sheets of 1/4" plexi. My plan was to hinge each of the plexi within a 4" frame accross the top, bottom, sides, separated by a 4" center beam, and use them as my openings into the cage. Once I got the sheets though, they flex a little more than I was expecting. I was going to countersink the plexi and use three flush mount hinges accross the bottom of each plexi to stiffen it up a bit, but my question is if it will stiffen it up enough, as well as looking for suggestion on how to latch and lock it securely? I can get hasps and locks, but was hoping that someone might have some more cosmeticly appealing methods since a cage this size will be very visible in my apartment. I have not cut out for the plexi yet, so I can still go with any method for the front if anyone has any ideas. I would like it to look nice, but more importantly, want it to be strong. I used to have a 15' burm and I know how powerful they can be. That one didn't cause me any cause for concern though, because it was in a full size cage with a standard door entrance. Unfortunately, I just don't have room for that right now. Thanks in advance for any recommendations. I would post a picture of the plans that I drew up but am new to the site and didn't look into how that is done yet. Hopefully the description is good enough to give everyone a good idea of what I had planned.

I think I figured out how to post a pic. If this works as planned, here is the design that I was planning. Any suggestions on how to latch and secure it?

I think the easiest/cheapest method would be sliding doors rather than hinged doors. And use glass - it's cheaper than plexiglass. I assume you can still return the plexi?

Regardless, this is a question you should ask on the Burmese & Reticulated Python forum. I have built large python cages but have always overbuilt the doors. I'm really not sure what cheaper options will still be secure yet attractive.

I do believe that sliding doors are the most attractive and I'm fairly certain many large python owners use the regular plastic glass track.

But you should double-check.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Thanks....I put a post on the Burm forum. I had thought of sliding doors but figured they would be thinner glass over a larger span area.

By the way....Thanks for the reply. I was a little stressed out last night and in a hurry, so wasn't very impressed with my post when I read it again this morning.

Jeff

Look down to the jan 11 posts at the 11x29 Ultratherm post and click on my post "finished cage." I borrowed a router from a friend to countersink/stop the door. Plenty strong for my Boa, but I have no experience with the giants. Maybe a straight bar going the length of the cage in the middle of the doors (which you could padlock one end.?) Not very attractive, but would add strength and security.

Yea it does.....You did a really nice job on that! Looks good...I'm going to take the advice that I got between here and the Burmese forum and go with sliding doors for mine. Sounds like quite a few people are using them with Burms without problems. Went over to Home Depot this evening to get the door slides. Hoping it gives me the best of both worlds. Providing that I can build it like I have it pictured it in my head (Yet to be determined)...It should be strong and look good at the same time.

since the top and bottom of the door is in a secure groove. Thanks.

If you look through Rocklers site you'll find some really trick stuff. I am using their magnetic locks, super trick and totally hidden. They are also incredibly strong. I broke one of my Dads 3/4 inch cabinet doors because I didn't know he had the lock on there. This is assuming you ever want to go back to the door idea.
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?&DID=6&offerings_id=1611&catid=81&objectgroup_id=444

This is the link to the lock
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Chris, my wife Mary
a dog, two cats, two birds, four snakes
oh and three kids