I built this enclosure in a hurry over a few days during finals, so it could have been better. I had to get it done because he was coming in the mail, and the polyurethane had to have enough time to dry and air out so I wouldn’t gas my new snake. I also had to study a LOT, but it came out alright for my first effort.
This is for my new Jungle x Coastal Carpet Python. He is about 5.5' long, eating a large F/T rat every other week. The enclosure itself is 4x2x3'.
The sides and top are plywood, the front is 1x6 around plexiglass. The top has holes cut for a wire mesh (about 1/2 gap mesh). Interior has poly, but no stain, and silicon caulk for the edges. Exterior has two coats each of stain and poly.
I have a large Ceramic Heat Emitter on top, and this runs 24 hours a day. Temps are about 85-90 on the hot side during the day, and in the 70s on the cool side. This goes down during the night because of ambient temp in the room.
He has a choice of 3 hides. The plywood boxes I built stack on each other, so I can take them off and get him if I need to. This also allows a temperature gradient in the hides, so he can bask on top, or choose between temps in the two boxes. The cool side has a plastic plant pot base with a hole cut in it. I have seen him use all 3.
The rods across are normal closet clothes hanging rods. I put these in because carpet pythons sometimes like to climb, and he has used them (more at night). He also soaks a lot in the little tub.
I opted for live plants because they are prettier and help control humidity. I still mist the enclosure once or twice a day, but the plants will help. Substrate is Repti-Bark.
Any informed recommendations would be appreciated.
Front View
Left and right side closeups
Inside from top, lid open (he is soaking in tub)
Quick pic of the new resident (from breeder when purchasing)
Threaded Mode