Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I am giving up on the search function for this site and figured I would ask for suggestions on how to install perches in large Carpet Python cages. I figure I will just screw natural wood branches spanning the cage into the sides but thought I'd see if anyone else had ideas/photos.

thanks in advance!

Chris

An alternative that makes the perches removable is to take a 2 pieces of lumber and cut a V notch in them. Intall these on opposite sides so that the perch will sit in the V. Then if for any reason you need to remove the perch it is a simple matter of lifting it out.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards

Another thing you can do is go to home depot or any similar place and get the wall mount caps that hold the poles you hang clothes off of in your closet. they would screw to the inside of the cage and have a half circle lip extending out on the bottome to keep the pole (or branch) in place, and is fairly sturdy. I am pretty sure some of the popular cage companies sell perches this way as well

Those poles won't be nearly thick enough. My girl is thicker around than a soda can.

I like this idea as it is very difficult to get my Carpet off her perch when she isn't inclined to move. I currently have wooden branches resting in pvc connector pieces. This has worked pretty well but want something that fits a bit more snug as she has pushed the branches out of their sockets a few times.

Not much of a woodworker but I guess I would just cut appropriate size pieces of wood then cut the notch and screw these to the sides. Any tips on how to cut a v-notch? Do I need a special tool? Is this a stupid question?

thanks much,

C

Nothing more than a hand saw or if you have one an electric jigsaw.

I would just cut a right angle notch that at it's widest part is wider than the diameter of the perch and deeper than half the diameter.

Hope this helps.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards

Thanks for the info. How far out should the wood for the notch be? I'm guessing like 2".

C

I would probably use some sort of 2X lumber. Depending on the diameter of the perch it could be 2x4, 2x6 etc. The part at the bottom of the V doesn't need to be very thick maybe about 1/2" so with a 2x4 you would have notch 3" deep. The V doesn't need to be a right angle either. Say you have a perch 5" in diamter. You could mark of the widest part of the V to a tad over 5". Find the center of this and then mark down from there 3" and connect those points. Cut your V and install.
-----
BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards

Thanks so much!

Hi Big tatoo,

I made perch supports like you suggested but what is going to stop the branch from popping out of the bracket?

thanks,

Phiff

have you considered PVC?thats what i use for all my carpets i build them in a way that holds even my 6ft jungle and all my jags as for the screwing of the wood and all remember humidity will cause the wood to mold at some point so it would have to be changed or you could put hole slide hollow PVC thru then smaller thru that one to take off for cleaning just use screw caps for outside of PVC for holding together it wont slid off/out or thru once cap is screwed on both ends just dont tighten them you can also scorch the PVC to look like wood its real easy search youtube for it to see how its done and you can bend and twist and make them look just like real wood its real easy i also use it for my chondros,i enjoy building all kinds of them im gonna see where to post some pics on here hope it helps good luck.

Hi,

I use all kinds of wood for jungle carpet and diamond python perches. Unless the cage has no airflow and is sopping wet all the time, you should not have mold issues. I either screw the branches right to the plywood or plastic cage walls, or screw in an eye/hook combo so that the branch can be easily removed. Good luck.

Will

I have never had mold grow on my wood perches and am not too keen on using pvc, but thanks.

I just build a free standing perch on a broad base like a parrot perch. Its easier and doesnt damage your cage. Essentially just one horizontal piece of wood attached to a vertical pice of wood which is attached to a broad flat base. make sense?