Homemade enclosure

[sierrabravo]

I just had a great idea for an enclosure (for free... the idea and the material). Late last year, my grandparents down the street switched hurricane shutters from plywood to corrugated aluminum. They no longer need this large amount of plywood and would be perfect for a homemade enclosure. It's been sitting out in a closed shed for about a year, it's pressure treated, and away from the effects of weather. Would this be a good choice for making an enclosure, for a cost-concious plan? I am planning on painting it inside and out, solid color outside and a background resembling a natural environment inside, and this will allow them a larger environment (I feel sorry for my current and future snakes b/c I'm fairly certain that glass is rarely part of a snakes environment... lol)

Thanks for your feedback.. it's appreciated!

[Deej85]

Neither is chemically treated wood fiber pressed into sheets, a part of a snakes natural environment. :P


I would make sure the wood is not cedar or pine (most plywood is cedar I think) or any other type of harmful wood. It may be sealed, but if you cut the wood to create an enclosure, the newly exposed part of the wood could be harmful. Also sand it down smooth, cut plywood tends to develop large splinters. (I work with wood so I know :P)

Otherwise I like your idea.

[Dianne]

I would not use pressure treated wood of any kind - nasty chemicals.

[mbraun3]

I agree with them... pressure treated may sound good to us.. but not for the snake! don't you just hate to see all that wood go to waist... I'm sure there is a use for it somewhere...

Melissa

[johnrandle]

dont use it, its too rough, and not a good choice for reptile enclosure.
i have made enclosured before but out of 3/4" BCX sheets or 5/8" melamine
depends what you are using it for...
my burm tank is 12x8 all made of plywood & 2x4's framed like a house.. and the floor is a one piece vinyl sheet that runs 8" up the walls too for easy clean up of blood and poops the size of small dogs.

[mbraun3]

if you have a boa (not sure about large pythons) boaphile plastics is the way to go...

[Bosc08]

The would might have mites or termites in it, so I wouldn't bother using the wood, because it may not be safe for any reptiles or other animals.