Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone. I am going to be getting a burmese python and would like to build the cage for it. I have built a few cages for my ball pythons, but am not sure if the burmese set up would be around the same. I know the heating and size would be vastly different. Would anyone know of any good sources for help on building one? Thanks a lot.

Circusfan

I believe it's albinoburmese.com that has some good cage building references. I'd try there.

The cages won't be that different, although I say that not knowing what technique/materials you used for your Ball Python cages. You might need some sort of support in the middle for the larger cages.

A few comments about size:

1) Will you be moving a lot and need a cage that can fit through doorways, down/up stairs, etc.?

If so you need to limit the height of the cage so it can be turned up so it will fit through the width of the doorway.

You might also consider limiting the length of cage to just under the height of the doorway so it will fit that way.

2) If you build the cage so the height will fit through the width of doorways and also make the cage fairly deep front-to-back this can be dangerous when handling large constrictors. Not a good situation as you'll often have to lean far into the cage to reach the back.

At the very least it makes the cage harder to clean.

This is a really tough situation. When you limit the length so it can fit under doorways (about 6'6" then you have to increase the depth of the cage to get back floor space/perimeter.

But then this makes the cage harder to clean and potentially dangerous.

But if you make the cage longer it's often very hard to slide around corners.

These are issues you'll have to address on your own and based on where you live and what your situation is.

>>Hello everyone. I am going to be getting a burmese python and would like to build the cage for it. I have built a few cages for my ball pythons, but am not sure if the burmese set up would be around the same. I know the heating and size would be vastly different. Would anyone know of any good sources for help on building one? Thanks a lot.
>>
>>Circusfan
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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 a lot for the help. I appreciate it. I'll check out that web site.

Circusfan

I barely understood my own post. Let me try again.

A common mistake when building cages for large constrictors is to make them of fairly short height (for space and weight considerations) yet fairly deep front-to-back (to provide floor area).

With large constrictors this creates a situation where you often have to expose you torso, neck, face in order to reach the snake, water bowl, or soiled areas. Not good - this is how accidents happen. At the very least it makes the cages difficult to clean.

So please pay close attention to the height and depth of your cages. Those two measurements together influence how safe and easy to clean your cage will be.

Regarding the length of the cage, just remember that once you go over about 6.5' you won't be able to turn the cage on it's end to fit under doorways.

Tough call.
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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 a lot. = )

Circusfan

i built a 6' x 4' cage and ran heat tape under it. it has two opening front doors, and i put a trap door on the top.

i no longer need it....where do you live at?

I live just outside of Boston, MA. Does your cage have heat? It sounds interesting...

Circusfan

i just used flexwatt heat tape, a five foot piece on the center of the cage.

but the cage is in IN

Not that anyone gave bad advice but I like my setup I just finished. All My boa cages are a standard 2'x4' setup not big enough for my large Burmese. I agree with Chris on a lot so I will emphisise that leaning into cage is a bad idea on most occasions. So that limits the cage like Chris said but it dosn't have to. I took two of my cages 2'x4' and cut matching holes in the sides these are lined up and bolted together. Making two 2'x4' cages into one 2'x8'. Heating and all the extras are still included but moving will be easy. This setup is similar to Jeff's at Boaphile. Later when my Burm grows more I can add a third cage. Eventually I admit a Zoo type enclosure will have to be built like Loe Daddano's at Serpant Safari.
Good Luck
Jeremy
My 2 Cents