Tips: Building a Boa cage

[Mako]

A buddy of mine just enlisted me to build him a boa cage. I haven't a clue what kind of boa, but he said it gets to 5 feet long (at least he won't have to feed it horses when it's fully grown).

I build cabinets all day long in the shop, so I'm pretty sure the design-- plywood all around with a plexiglass front. Wood-framed screened top, secured tightly. Approx 14 inches high, 60 inches long, 12 inches deep. He's happy with those dimensions.

Nor does he care what the bottom is made of. But won't the snake poop foul the wood? What can I do (short of spraying it with $$$ and messy vinyl sealer) to keep the crap from rotting the wood? Cheap is the word of the day....

 

[125gJoe]

I'm no expert, and I know there are some here that do know much more on this, but snakes don't eat very often.

Therefore, they don't "mess" as often.
Cleaning the cage should be much easier than 'water changes' on aquariums.

HTH

I like reptiles...
But, 2 dogs are plenty enough.

 

[Mako]

I got a friend with an 18f burmese python that could help you take care of those 2 dogs if you ever tire of them Just kidding!

Yes, I guess snakes don't "drop their load" all that often. I guess it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[125gJoe]

Pics of eighteen foot snake??
I need to see... No dogs for food. (.)

Pics... ?

 

[oscar83]

ive owned various snakes in my lifetime including a 16 foot burmese python wich was housed in a plywood cage that i built. as long as your friend is going to put some sort of bedding down in the cage then the poop wont be a factor... unless he never cleans it. hamster bedding works great. its small flaked wood type stuff that absorbs urine wonderfully and if eaten passes thru the snakes digestive system without a problem. so yeah, you should be good with just a plywood bottom to the cage... have fun!

 

[Mako]

Sorry, I don't have any pics of him. I used to work for a pet shop that the owner had this massive creature in this horribly tiny pen. Guess who had to clean the crap when he "let it go"? Yup. Snake was harmless, though, apparently he knew I was high in cholesteral. I can't believe how strong this thing was. When he headed for the door (which he did every time he saw it open) I had to hold his head so he didn't go out. It was all I could do, and my bench press was over 240lbs when I was working there. Not a body builder by any stretch, but I was certainly no wuss. At least, until compared to a giant snake.

 

[Kasakato]

More plexiglass?

 

[Lobo.]

how about covering the bottom w/ polyurithane (sp?), its cheep and very easy to clean. Its basically liquid plastic that soaks into the wood, then hardens, if you do this, the wood will literally last forever.

 

[Mako]

I thought of polyeurathane, but decided against it. It is good stuff, don't get me wrong, but it takes a LONG time to fully cure (read: months). It is dry and hard to the touch within 24 hours, but the problem is it still effervesces the fumes. In an enclosed cage, I'm afraid it will gas the snake.

Good idea though. I wish it weren't as fumy.

I may just soak the bottom in Tung oil, it's harmless and may produce a water resistent coating. Looks beautiful on lathe-turned wood.

 

[swreefer]

3/4 inch plywood is fine. Seal the edges with aquarium sealent. Polyeurothane is fine to use. Let it dry and air out for 48 hours (until it's not tacky or strong smelling). You could also use marine epoxy paint for the bottom or tile.
How is he going to heat it? UTH's won't heat thru plywood but he could router in some flexwatt and hook it up to a rheostat. You could also use a radiant heat panel (Helix and Pro Products make nice ones). Don't use a bulb in the cage. It will burn the snake unless you provide some type of screen barrier between the bulb and the are of the cage the snake will be.
What type of boa is he getting?
That will utlimately depend on the diemensions needed.
A common red-tail gets 8 feet and dumerils get around 6 feet. Is he getting a Nic, Hog Island, or a Haitian? Those are the only types I can think of that will max at 5 feet.
The attached pic is one of my wood cages. 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, 2 feet high. The shelf has a heat panel installed on the bottom and routered into it is 3 inch flexwatt. The back is pegboard, the bottom in coated with marine epoxy, the whole thing is stained and sealed with silicone. This one is oak but you can make it out of plywood and save some money. You could also use plexi on the front instead of sliding glass doors to save money. Lots of ways to design and build a cage. It just depends on what you housing and how much you want to spend.