questions on enclosures

[dickgear81]

im looking to build an enclosure for my ball python but i dont know what materials would be safe and heat stable for a pad as well as a lamp.
any help would be greatly apreciated by myself and my snake.

[kriminaal]

Go with 3/4 plywood. It's pretty cheap, lightweight and holds heat fairly well.

[Dr_Gonz0]

Melamine is also a good choice. It is good for resisting moisture as long as a you use silicone at the joints.

[reptilenut4sure]

I use 3/8 ply wood for my cage and it seems to be just fine. You can also use 2x2's for the frame of it. This is the one i just completed. Brad "the snake guru" told me that you can use "Min Wax Poly-crylic" on top of any paint you use , does a good job of making it water proof.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z240/reptilenut4sure/100_9819.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z240/reptilenut4sure/100_9823.jpg

[jejton]

Besides waterproofing, how do you make the wooden enclosures heat safe? I mean some of those lamps can heat up my screen tops pretty well. I dont mean to hijack but can anyone point me in the right direction to find plans for building enclosures ( not just for snakes ) ?

[reptilenut4sure]

Well you can set a Rheostat on the lights to control the temperature. And those lights get hot, but I dont think they can ingite wood. The little boxes on the ones I have posted above, are to put the light domes inside then when you shut the door its covered to keep the animal away from the light too.

[rosky19]

Damn thats a real good idea with the little boxes for the lights! I'll have to have my husband build me one of those!

[reptilenut4sure]

I have to add that idea came from Brad "the snake guru".