Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am making a cage for a mali uromastyx and I have a few questions I hoping someone will be able to answer. Recon it will be 4 feet long and 2 ft wide. Thanks in advance.

1.) What kind of plywood, what has to be done to the wood before the animal can be put in? Im not worried about looks like paint color,etc.

2.) Thinking Ill cut squares out of the top of the cage for the lamps and such. What type of metal screening can withstand the heat? It will be a flip top style cage.

Anything else if Im forgetting something. Thanks.

>>1.) What kind of plywood, what has to be done to the wood before the animal can be put in? Im not worried about looks like paint color,etc.

Since looks are not important you could use MDF, melamine AC or BC plywood. Those are listed heaviest to lightest if weight is an issue. MDF is just a bit heavier than melamine, both are heavier than the plywoods which weight the same.

For a Uromastyx you only need a water based paint to allow for ease of cleaing and to keep microbrial growth down. You might cover the floor with scrap vinyl flooring or something similar to protect it from scratching.

>>2.) Thinking Ill cut squares out of the top of the cage for the lamps and such. What type of metal screening can withstand the heat? It will be a flip top style cage.

Any galvanized wire mesh or hardware cloth. Don't use window screen as it will partially block light - both intensity and UV.

Why a flip top cage? Easier to use a sliding glass front, IMO.
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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)

A friend of mine is giving me a young pair of malis and I will be keeping mine in a 4X2X1.5 foot cage made of plywood, painted with epoxy paint.. I made the cage origianlly for tortoises, so it has about an 8" wall at the front with fixed glass, and I have since added a screen door that flips down to the opening at the top..