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Help! question on cage design.

Posted By:

allenbj1

What is the best cage design for monitors and/or snakes? I have seen screened cages for lizards and snakes or is glass better? And what about stackable ones, do they allow enough ventilation? I have a savannah monitor, a leopard gecko, a rosy boa, and am one my way to getting a white lip python and a frilled lizard. So what is a good suggestion for caging?


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Caging , Caging Plans
Tags:	Caging, Lizards, Monitors, Snakes
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

10/13/2010 8:41:10 AM

TomPiperni

Monitors or snakes generally shouldn't have screened cages, it makes it too hard to maintain temperatures and humidity. Screened cages should only be used for certain animals such as chameleons. Glass is fine to use with a screen top if you want. Stackable cages are also fine, you can buy plastic ones made by companys such as Sly Plastics, but they're rather expensive. You can also make your own out of plywood or melamine, but you'll have to pay special attention to make sure that the wood doesn't rot. If using plywood, buy a non-toxic water proof product to line the inside of the tank with and use cocking on the edges to make sure that water doesn't leak down the cracks. Make sure you put some screened vents in the back or sides. If you wish to make your own, type in on youtube 'poor mans enclosure', videos will come up by mack1time, they'll be very helpful.

Assisted Answer

10/13/2010 11:08:00 AM

dalvers63

I can't comment on the monitors as I've never kept them.

Snakes though, I've been keeping them on and off for over 20 years and have used just about every caging available - aquariums, home built wood, home built melanine, wire, plexiglass, tubs, etc. In my experience the best cages are those made specifically for snakes by the likes of ConstrictorsNW, Animal Plastics, Boaphile, etc. Though they are expensive initially they last forever, are relatively light and easy to move, clean well and are, for the most part, escape-proof. I'm slowly working on converting all of my snakes to cages like this and don't have anyone in aquariums anymore.

Member Comment

10/13/2010 12:33:14 PM

shellboa

I converted to racks from glass aquariums mostly for space but it makes feeding and cleaning a lot faster and easier. We custom built a few cages with melamine and they are in good shape but we also have some animal plastics that I really like. I only have a few critters with screen tops still but they are geckos and roaches. Oh, and my blue tongues.

IMO it pays to put out the money initially for the quality built cages or racks. Consider it an investment into your pets health. You will find that you have a lot less husbandry/environmental health issues with a good quality, well made cage.

Member Comment

10/13/2010 4:59:03 PM

BirchbarkBoas

I don't know much about lizards, but I know snakes, and I agree with the others. Plastic caging is the way to go. They hold heat and humidity very well, easy to clean, and lightweight. Only drawback is the price, but they really aren't that bad all considered.

Assisted Answer

10/29/2010 11:57:56 PM

HurricaneJen

What works well for housing snakes will not work well for housing monitors. The temperatures and substrate depth they need to truly thrive is much different than the average snake will require. Monitors do best with high basking temperatures and deep (12" or more!) substrate they can dig and burrow into, at least for the terrestrial species. Even semi aquatic species adore digging, such as water monitors, dumerils, and black roughnecks. Arboreal monitors such as the green tree, blue, or yellow tree monitors will require lots of height in the cage, and a rather large footprint in addition to that. Check out www.proexotics.com for a good FAQ on monitor care - temperatures, housing, cage furniture, and cage design as well. You'll see why I say a monitor cage and a snake cage are not usually interchangeable. :)

Snakes are pretty durable and tolerant when it comes to caging - you can make just about anything with solid sides and bottom work. Plastic tubs, glass tanks, vision cages, custom wood or melamine cages... you name it.

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