Reptile & Amphibian Forums

what kinda materials are safe? tips on adding vents? safe to put dirt in? window, make one or buy one at home depot? i want to build it for an adult so i won't have to build another. any help would be great.

Herpluver,

To make your cage suitable for an adult you'll need to start with a *minimum* floor size of 8' x 4'. A good base would be to use a whole sheet of plywood and build off of that. You also need to consider being able to move it into a room and out so it may have to be built in pieces so that it can be assembled and disassembled easily in order to fit throught those doors. You'll probably want to have a solid back and sizes and maybe a front with a partial plexiglass panel for viewing. Other things to consider will be whether you're going to set this cage on the floor or raise it up on some type of stand. For a top you'll probably want to go with sturdy 1/4" mesh hardware cloth (wire screen), and devise some type of lid that can be removed, probably in sections. You also need to think about whether it's going to have top access or access from the front. The interior should be sealed with something that will allow you to clean the unit. I would not recommend using any type of varnish or paint though but would instead suggest using pieces of masonite tileboard to line the inside. Moisture won't be a big issue since these guys generally like it hot and dry. You'll want humid hide spots but you shouldn't be dousing the thing with so much water as to cause it to leak out of the cage at the seams so that means you could skip sealing the corners. Well, that's some stuff to get you started thinking. Hope you've got some tools and ingenuity. If you want anymore specific suggestions on things like fasteners, making tops or sliding panel openings, etc. just email me directly.

Matt Campbell

that is the one place i'm lucky in, my dad is a carpenter and has a large wood shop. we just had no idea what would be safe for the little guy. when i ordered my books the other day i didn't order the one you sugested so i orded that one yesterday so it should be here tomarrow. well then i'm off to home depot. hey matt thanks for all the help

This is how I did it.

2x2 for framing, 1/2" plywood for the sides, and a vinyl window for the .. window.. I used dryer vents, for ..vents.

I'd advise an 8x4x4 enclosure for an adult.