Out Door Cage

[JD@reptiles]

Hey

As some of you may have heard i am starting a project with Jamaican Boas in Jamaica. I am making a large cage around 7-8' wide and around 3-4 feet tall and I would like to hear any ideas you guys may have. There is a few things you have to keep in mind. it is jamaica and a lot of things are not available for building, so large sheets of glass and plexiglass are out of the question. this cage is going to have to be made out of screen and wood. the reason for that is so there is plenty of air flow.

If I use your cage design you will get credit for it on the fact sheet. the snakes will be on display for the general public at Irie Safari, Black River, Jamaica

Thanks for you time

Jordan

[Scales Zoo]

I'd go with a perfectly spherical cage - that would look cool.

If you wanted to go the easy route, this the first idea that came to me. I did not take the time to make a diagram of what I'm looking at. I'd build it out of plywood, if you can get it. Use 2x2's for supports where needed. Build the door into the plywood.

For a viewing area, if you can get hardware cloth, which is the heavier screen type stuff that comes in 1/4'' or 1/2'' mesh size. On the snakes side of this, I'd put the fine screen like can be found on aluminum doors, or try to find the synthetic. The snake could still probably rub it's nose on it - but the fine screen would do far less damage than the heavy screen. I'd include the heavy screen to hold the mesh, to make it more escape proof.

You could run lats around the screen, and screw into the plywood, or framed in 2x2's if you can get them. You could use lats or 2x2's for support, or dividers - if you can't get a lot of large screen peices, and have to go with smaller ones. It will probably rust from rain, so try to protect it from rain.

Why is the cage outside? Why only 4 feet tall?

My msn's been down lately, but if you want to shoot me an email I'll give you a few other ideas when they come to me.

Ryan

[JD@reptiles]

its under a little hut... there is really no 'indoors' at this place. all the jamaican boas i have seen have been in out door cages made of chicken wire, they don't seem to rub there nose. i found some 1/4" mesh there and i think thats what is going to go around the entire cage. its going to have a wood roof and wood bottom. i think i am going to make a frame with 4x4" in the corners and 2x4" to make the frame.

[Scales Zoo]

The hut idea sounds good, should protect it from the wind, sun and rain. How cold does it get in Jamaica? Maybe I should ask if it can get too hot. In the wild snakes can always find a place that is warmer or cooler, but in any outdoor type of setting - it is hard to maintain proper temperatures with a gradiant, for enclosed reptiles.

We've never ever done outdoor shows, because of this. Maybe we could if we got a series of "huts" - not sure. Even in Saskatchewan, it is the heat, not the cold that worries me the most.

Ryan

[JD@reptiles]

it doesn't get too cold at night. the only concern is the heat. but they are going to have a damp hide so they can go in there to keep cool. it would be a shame to have a snake die that is so endangered.