Snake Cage Ideas

When housing snakes, several factors have to be taken into consideration, including types of cages and paint, wiring and lighting. Some cage ideas are tried-and-true methods while others are more creative and original. Remember that the techniques that apply to housing snakes do not necessarily hold true for lizards or amphibians.

  1. Types of Enclosures

    • Aquarium tanks are best for snakes that are under six feet long. You can have a screen top on the tank if you're housing a sand boa. If you need a higher level of humidity in the tank, cover the screen top partially with plastic wrap and include soil and plants inside. The tank should be placed on a solid surface. Screen cages can be used if you have a light-bodied snake. Keep in mind, though, that it will be difficult to keep humidity high and a strong animal could move or knock over the cage. Stay away from pine or cedar cages, which could cause health problems in your snakes.

    Flooring

    • Use a vinyl covering on the floor of the cage. You can use a heat mat, but create an insert for it so that the snake is not directly on top of the heat mat. The insert can be made from silicone, and it should be waterproof. Seal the edges so the snake doesn't slip in between. Thin material is best, and it should easily bend but not break. Don't put newspaper on the floor of the cage; snakes will hide underneath.

    Glass vs. Plexiglass

    • Glass is the cheaper route and it won't warp over time, but it's heavier the Plexiglass. A tough Plexiglass, like Lexan, is expensive but it won't easily break and you can drill it to screw on hinges. If you use glass, the hinges will have to be glued on. Lexan isn't a good option for a large case with large snakes inside, since it can flex.

    Health

    • Snake cages have to be cleaned on a regular basis in order to maintain the health of your snakes. Before putting the snake in its cage for the first time, all of the materials should be cleaned and disinfected. If you're using rocks, boil them for 20 minutes to disinfect. Any sand or branches that you use should be rinsed using hot water and put in an oven for half an hour at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. To clean the cage, wash with soapy water.