How to Make a Reptile Enclosure From Wood

Reptiles are animals for advanced pet owners. People often get reptiles without considering dietary, lighting and heating requirements, as well as the size that the animal will grow upon reaching maturity; therefore, proper research is required prior to getting a pet reptile. Part of owning a reptile includes providing your pet with a habitat, in which they will spend the majority of their time. Habitats should closely mimic the elements that the animal would experience in the wild. If you decide to build a wooden enclosure for your reptile, the space needs to be large enough for your pet to move and climb, feed and bathe; it should also hold the proper temperature. Sizes and specs will depend on the animal for which you are building.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Circular saw
  • Framing wood such as melamine or craftwood
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Wood panels such as melamine or craftwood
  • Drill
  • Screws
  • Pencil
  • Straight edge
  • Jigsaw
  • Belt sander
  • Wire mesh
  • Staple gun with staples
  • Wire cutters
  • Glass
  • Trim
  • Hinges
  • Latch
  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

  1. Building a Frame, Walls, Door and Windows

    • 1

      Measure the length, width and height or your reptile. If the reptile has not yet reached maturity, talk to your local herpetology expert or veterinarian to determine the size that your reptile will reach at maturity.

    • 2

      Determine your reptile̵7;s mature size relative to the specs for your wooden enclosure. Reptile habitats should be two to three times larger than lizards or snakes, and four to five times the size of terrestrial and aquatic turtles. Increase sizes by one half for each additional reptile housed in the same space.

    • 3

      Use a circular saw to cut wood for the frame. Attach the frame together using a hammer and nails. In addition to the outer frame, frame out any doors and windows. Be sure to add doors and windows in places that will give you easy access for cleaning all areas of the tank.

    • 4

      Cut sheets of wood to serve as walls for the enclosure. You will need a floor, front, back and side walls, as well as a ceiling. Wire mesh can be used for ceilings in some cases. Measure the inside perimeter of the frame for each door and window. Use a pencil and straight edge to draw cutting lines on the panels for doors and windows.

    • 5

      Attach the wood panels to the frame, using a drill and screws. Use a jigsaw to cut out the doors and windows. Set the door cutouts aside for later use. Use sand paper to smooth out the cuts in the structure, as well as the faces of the wood and any rough edges.

    Adding the Finishing Touches

    • 6

      Choose wire mesh or glass for the windows in your wooden reptile enclosure, depending on the type of reptile you have. Glass should fit within the perimeter of the window frame; wire mesh should extend just outside the perimeter of the window.

    • 7

      Use a staple gun to attach wire mesh to the inside frame of the window. Use wire cutters to trim away any excess overhang. If you are using glass, nail a piece of trim to the inside edge of the window frame. Set the glass against the trim and carefully nail in a second piece of trim, attached to the outer portion of the frame. The trim will hold the glass in place.

    • 8

      Attach the previously cut-out doors to the door frame, using hinges and screws. Attach the hinges on the side of the door or bottom of the door, depending on which way you want the door to swing. On the opposite side of the hinge, attach a latch that will hold the door shut.

    • 9

      Drill holes in the ceiling of the enclosure for air flow. Depending on the reptile you are housing, you may also want to cut holes for intake and output fans for air circulation.