How to Build a 6 Foot Snake Cage

Building your own snake cage gives you a great deal of flexibility and an opportunity for creativity. You can add tree branches for climbing, shelves for basking or hollow logs for hiding. Homemade cages cost just a fraction of the cost of those you can purchase at a store and can look just as good. Be sure to take into account the adult size of your snake, its particular habitat needs and placement of the cage when finished.

Things You'll Need

  • 8-foot-long 2-by-4 planks, 12
  • 4-by-8, 1/2-inch plywood, 2 sheets
  • Outside carpeting
  • Wire mesh
  • Tree branch
  • 2 hinges
  • 1 latch
  • Staple gun
  • Staples
  • 3 heat lamps
  • Thermometer
  • Wire snips
Show More

Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1
      Cut all the pieces before assembly.

      Cut four 2-by-4 planks 6 feet long. Mark as "A", "B", "C", and "D". These are the sides.

    • 2

      Cut twelve 2-by-4 planks 32 inches long. Mark four as "E", "H", "K", and "N". These are the bottom pieces. Mark four as "G", "L", "I", and "O". These are the center braces. Mark four as "F", "J", "M", and "P". These are the top pieces.

    • 3

      Cut one piece of plywood 6 feet long by 3 feet wide. Mark as "Q". (Back piece)

    • 4

      Cut one piece of plywood 3 feet long by 3 feet wide. Mark as "R". (Floor piece)

    • 5

      Cut four 2-by-4 planks 32 inches long. This will be the door frame.

    Construction

    • 6

      Lay out piece "A", "B", "E", and "F" in a square. This will be Side 1. Screw pieces together. Screw "G" into "A" and "B" across the middle of the square--35 inches from each end.

    • 7

      Repeat above step for pieces "C", "D", "H", "I", and "J". This is Side 2.

    • 8

      Lay Side 1 and Side 2 on edge. Screw "K" into Side 1 and Side 2 flush with one end. Screw "M" at the other end between Side 1 and Side 2. Screw "L" into Side 1 and Side 2, 35 inches from the top and bottom.

    • 9

      Repeat the step above for pieces "N", "O", and "P".

    • 10

      Screw pieces "S", "T", "U", and "V" in a square to make the door. Staple wire mesh across the door. Attach the door to the front of the cage with hinges along the top. Attach the latch to the bottom.

    • 11

      Cover "Q" with outdoor carpeting. Be sure to roll the carpeting over the inside edges and staple on the backside. Screw "Q" into Side 1 and Side 2, with carpet side facing the inside of the cage.

    • 12

      Cover "R" with outdoor carpeting. Be sure to roll the carpeting over the inside edges and staple on the backside. Screw "R" into the bottom of the cage ("E", "H", "K" and "N") with carpet side facing the inside of the cage.

    • 13

      Staple the wire mesh across Side 1, Side 2 and front above the door.

    Accessories

    • 14

      Cut plywood in a triangle with two sides 34 inches long. This will serve as a shelf for basking.

    • 15

      Cover the shelf with outdoor carpeting, folding the carpet over the shelf and around to the bottom. Staple in place. Screw the shelf into middle braces "I" and "O".

    • 16

      Cover the floor "R" with outdoor carpeting.

    • 17

      Install heat lamps on the outside of the cage pointed inward at various levels to provide varying temperatures. One lamp should be attached about 6 inches above the basking shelf. Attach the thermometer inside the cage, an equal distance from two lamps.

    • 18
      Add tree branches, plants and shelves to your cage.

      Place tree branch and hollow logs inside the cage.