I recieved a lot of valuable information from this website when I first got started. One of my hardest setbacks was finding a website or info in general about how to construct a custom cage. So here I'll put my information on my own custom cage. I hope it will help many of you. My cage was about $100, but you can easily construct a cage, 4x2x2, less than $100. I only have the final pics due to the fact that I had one of my uncles, who works in contruction and has all the necessary tools to contruct anything, build my cage.
My materials:
1- 4'x8' sheet of 1/2" Plywood Grade AB $25 (smoother and a bit more expensive but you can get a 4x8 sheet for about $15)
A 4' 1/2" scrap of plywood for the front dam
1- 1/4" 45"x17" glass $18 (front door)
4- wheel casters with locks $10-$16
16- 1/4 bolts, nuts, and washers <$5(for the wheeled casters 4x4=16)
3- Door hinges $6.00 (for front door)
1- Roll of aluminum window screening $12(for the vents)
2 feet of 11" Flexwatt $7.20
2- Flexwatt connecters $1.20
Dimmer $7.00
Electrical cord $1.20
Electrical tape $2.50
Foil tape $5.00
All of this comes down to about $100. You can easiy build a cage with less than $100. You could eliminate the wheeled casters and the bolts, nuts, and washers, which would save you about $15-$20. I decided to use them for easier mobility if I decided to move the cage in the future, which I have. You can also get a 4'x8' sheet of plywood for about $15. I used a smoother plywood to eliminate splinters to myself and my boas. You can get CD plywood grade, which is rougher and costs less. I decided not use waxes or stains for my wood because I liked the natural color of the plywood. You could definetly use it on your wood if you would like, I dont suspect it to be expensive if you decided to stain your wood. If you did, make sure to breath out your wood for about 5-7 days so that it eliminates a lot of the smell of the stain before putting your boa or any reptile in, which could be harmful.
I certaintly cannot get all the credit for my custom cage. I found a website that was very helpful. Visit
Herpers toolbox for more info on flexwatt, cages, thermostats, and dimmers. I took one of the 3x2 cage setup but made it into a 4x2x2.
My final product:
