Reptile Cage Ideas

Reptile Cage Ideas. If you own a reptile you have the option to build or adapt your pet's cage. There are many advantages to doing so, such as many ideas and options, creating your own style, lower expense, and it can be an enjoyable project. Just make sure you know everything there is to know about your pet's needs. Reptiles have a wide range of needs for their habitats, which their lives can depend upon. Talk to a veterinarian about your plans before following through with them.

Using Furniture

To save money and create style, you can transform furniture into a reptile cage. This can be inexpensive if you use furniture you already have, or shop at garage sales or thrift stores. You can use dressers, armoires, entertainment centers, china cabinets, wardrobes, or jewelry display cases to make your pet reptile's cage. You can even turn the drawers into basking shelves.

Doors

You will need to build secure doors on your cage. There are several options you can choose from, such as sliding glass doors, framed glass, or Plexiglas. Sliding glass doors may have security issues and might be more difficult to build because of them. If you make a sliding glass door, you will have to make sure the track is aligned and installed properly and there is a secure lock. Whenever you use it you will have to make sure you close and lock it all the way. Depending on what kind of reptile you have and its size, these might not be issues for you. Framed glass doors are a little easier to deal with, though you will need thick glass and a secure frame. Plexiglas is easy to work with since it can be drilled through and does not scratch easily.

Ventilation

You will need to properly ventilate your pet reptile's cage. Ventilation options include: pegboard, drilling holes in the side or top, metal vents, or wire mesh. Pegboard is probably the safest option for your reptile. Wooden or plastic pegboard will not hurt the reptile if it rubs its nose against it. The least expensive option would be drilling holes in the side or top. This would require a lot of time, however, and will probably not be aesthetically pleasing. You would have to make sure you make the proper size holes, and a proper grid pattern. Metal vents and wire mesh can be harmful to your reptile if it can reach the top and rub its nose up against it.

Materials

The materials you need to build the cage can be inexpensive, depending on where you choose to purchase them. You can use materials you may already have, or purchase them from a thrift store. Other materials you might need: timber, old glass, screws, drills, hinges and light battens.

References

• Tricia's Chinese Water Dragon, Reptile, and Amphibian Care Page: Inexpensive Ways to Make a Great Reptile Enclosure
• The Pets Central: Building Your Own Reptile Cage Can Be a Rewarding and Fun Experience
• Clay Davenport Captive Bred Reptiles: Basic Cage Building 101