Building Cages

[SpookyScales]

Hello! If I do get a dumeril boa, I will probably put it in a 40 gal. breeder untill it gets bigger, then I'd build it a cage, but I don't want it to get too stressed in a big cage! Does a 6'Lx2'Dx2'H cage sound good for an adult dum? I saw some posts on "sintra," what exactly is this? At what types of stores can you buy this, and is it sold in sheets? Can you cut it easily? Is it fully waterproof and safe to use with all types of "environments," and won't mold? What do you use to seal it and keep it together? Anyone that's built cages with this, please post pics, or links to pics of sintra cages! Also, if you've built, or have a sintra cage, would you reccommend using this material, if so, why or why not? Would a kane heat pad be best to use with this snake and safe to use with sintra? Any other information that you think would be helpful would be greatly appreciated!

SpookyScales

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[markbc]

You could try this site http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com. I wouldn't use a heat pad but you can make one using Flexwatt. They do not get hot spots and last for a long time if you make them properly. If you have eough hides they should be OK but put them in smaller cages to start with if they are young and then put them into a larger cage when they are bigger.

It's a lot cheaper to make your own cages using MDF and you can get the material cut to size at some stores or a localcabinet maker for a few dollars. You can use a good glue like "Weldbond" and silicone around the base. Make the base from melamine. You can make the front from Plexiglass.

Good luck

[farmergirl]

I usually remodel furniture into cages. This time I have built one from scratch out of 3/4 in. plywood. I lined it with vinyl, glueing it in with liquid nails. Then sealed all the corners with tub & tile caulk. It was so easy and very inexpensive! Plus it looks great, you have a wide variety of choices. I chose a stone look.

[JuliusSqueezer]

I don't use hides for dumerils other than deep substrate and a little silk plant cover. they hide and hunt by burrowing and leaving just their nose sticking out. Hides like you would put in most cages just get in their way.

6x2x2 is plenty big enough. they are a ground boa though so the 2 feet height really isn't needed. 12-18 inches tall would be easier to control the heat and humidity and it saves you space for stacking more cages on top if your collection grows. I have a few 6x2x2 cages and man...I wish I hadn't done that. Very soon I will be adding a floor to the middle of all of those and redoing the doors to make them into 2 cages.

[ann0306]

I use deep aspen and a couple pieces of cork bark for my dumeril. She's usually buried, although she seems to think I can't see her when she's on top of her cork bark.

I will tell you, though, that she's not a big fan of being stared at through the glass. She gets very defensive. You might want to put a background around 3 sides of your tank.