| When I first started my interest in reptiles I was only | | | | replace doors (I haven't had to do any of these yet |
| young. At that stage of my life I had little or no skills | | | | as they are very sturdy). |
| and did not understand the requirements of the | | | | When you build your own cages you decide how |
| wonderful creatures so I did not keep them | | | | strong it will be and what quality of fitting, glues and |
| effectively. We just kept the local lizards, so the | | | | materials you will be using. The higher the quality of |
| cage temperature was not an issue. | | | | materials and accessories you use, the better the |
| I rekindled my desire later in life but I also had | | | | final cage product. You are not at the mercy of |
| mortgages, the cost of raising a family and the daily | | | | manufacturers saving money by using inferior |
| costs of living to contend with. A reptile was | | | | materials and poor quality fittings. |
| expensive enough, without adding the costs of retail | | | | Another benefit is the ability to customise you cages |
| cages and accessories. So I built my own. It saved | | | | to suit your purpose. One of my earliest cages was |
| me a lot of money. | | | | built as a normal cage but by placing a removable |
| You do need some basic tools but the money you | | | | divider in the middle it allowed me to re-use the cage |
| save by making it yourself will allow you to purchase | | | | when I shipped one of the snakes out. This divider |
| some of those tools that help make the cage. The | | | | was fitted over the middle of a heat mat, allowing |
| remainder can go into accessories so that for the | | | | for two reptiles to be housed in the cage. It also had |
| cost of a basic cage with nothing else you can make | | | | two doors. The cage is now used for another |
| a cage, get some tools and the cage accessories and | | | | purpose but will soon be empty. The divider can still |
| still have money left over. That's a big difference. | | | | be placed back in the cage for another small snake |
| Many people have materials about the house. If you | | | | and then simply removed as the snake gets larger. |
| are going to make your own cages you can save | | | | Tis snake will finally be moved into an arboreal cage. |
| even more money by using bits and pieces or timber | | | | To purchase a plastic cage with divider that will only |
| you may already have, screws, old glass, hinges, light | | | | be a transient cage before the snake goes into a |
| battens etc. that you already have in the basement | | | | final cage is an expensive exercise. |
| or garage. | | | | If you do need to upgrade again, you have the time |
| When upgrading one of my cages recently, I was | | | | to build the final cage as the snake grows. |
| able to reuse some of the materials and the fittings | | | | Making your own cages allows you to build and |
| for use on the new cage. This saved me having to | | | | maintain your reptile cages in a cost effective manner |
| purchase new accessories and materials. | | | | while keeping them comfortable and healthy. You can |
| Another benefit is the ability to maintain your own | | | | also expand your collection in an affordable way, |
| cages. Many of the plastic or moulded cages cannot | | | | making more money available for the reptiles while |
| be fixed once they are broken. With a cage you | | | | still getting quality cages. |
| made yourself you can usually fix broken locks or | | | | |