How to Build Reptile Rack Cages

Reptile rack cages come in handy when trying to take care of multiple reptiles. Breeders, reptile salespersons and hobbyists use such cages for many animals, including rats and other creatures that are not reptiles. You may build your own rack cages for only a fraction of what pet stores charge for them. A conventional design will require a little lumber, time and money, and can be deconstructed as easily as constructed.

Things You'll Need

  • Safety Glasses
  • 6 plywood boards, 12 inches by 28 inches by 3/4-inch
  • Tape measure
  • Square
  • Pencil
  • 4 metal clamps
  • Jig saw
  • Wire mesh, 2 feet by 2 feet
  • Staple gun
  • 4 peg boards,12 inches by 12 inches by 1/4-inch
  • 8 hinges, 1-inch
  • 4 thumb tacks
  • Twine
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Instructions

    • 1
      Plywood is great for all sorts of animal cages.

      Lay one piece of plywood flat. Measure from the left end 14 inches to the middle. Draw a line at this measurement that is 6 inches from and perpendicular to the 28-inch edge. Draw two more 6-inch lines, one on each side, 3/8-inch away. You will eventually cut along the two outside lines. Measure 12 inches from the middle line on each side and repeat this process. You should end up with three sets of three lines, all parallel, evenly spaced and along the same edge.

    • 2
      Clamping your wood together saves time as it minimizes the number of cuts required.

      Clamp all six pieces of plywood together with the pencil markings on top. Be sure all the boards are flush. Cut three grooves along the pencil markings that are 3/4-inch wide and 6 inches from the edge toward the center. Remove the clamps once the cuts are completed.

    • 3

      Stand three pieces of plywood on their 28-inch edges 12 inches apart so the boards are parallel and the grooves are facing up. Match the grooves with the remaining three pieces of plywood by fitting them together perpendicularly to form your rack. You should have four 12-inch slots in which to place your reptiles.

    • 4
      Wire mesh will allow air to your reptiles and make sure they are secured.

      Staple the 2-by-2 wire mesh over one side of the rack to cover the slots.

    • 5

      Attach two hinges along one side of each pegboard square. Attach the other side of the hinges to the rack, opposite the side of the mesh. The hinges should be attached to the outer edge of the rack, four hinges on the left, and four on the right. Use thumb tacks and twine to keep the doors from opening.