| Would you put together a model plane without look at | | | | Once you have a clear idea of what you want the |
| the finished plane or looking at the plans? Does a | | | | finished product to look like and how large it will be you |
| builder build a house without a plan? | | | | are ready to plan how you are going to construct it. At |
| The answer to these is pretty clearly no. A | | | | this stage, having a plan, however rudimentary, is |
| homemade snake or other reptile cage is so much | | | | important. Once you have a plan in place you can think |
| simpler though, you say. I can just put it together as I | | | | through the issues. In many cases it will allow you to |
| go. Not so, my young apprentice. There are many | | | | remove the problem before you even start, as the |
| pitfalls awaiting the inexperienced. Simple things you | | | | plan often reveals an error or issue. Naturally, the more |
| can miss. Silly mistakes you can make, and believe me, | | | | detailed the reptile cage plan, the more you can make |
| it is very easy to make them. There are a host of | | | | allowance for possible issues. It can also eliminate |
| things that can make a simple cage take much longer | | | | waste and save money as you only purchase the |
| than it should plus some possible costly mistakes. | | | | correct amount of material. |
| If you have never kept a reptile, then before you even | | | | Having a plan is useful as it allows you to see and |
| plan a reptile cage, you need to do some research on | | | | understand how the cage will be constructed. You can |
| what sort of cage your retile will need. A snake will | | | | work out how you may want to alter the plan if you |
| need cages of certain dimensions; lizards will need | | | | feel the need to change. |
| other dimensions and arboreal species yet another | | | | And finally a plan is essential for the construction |
| type of cage with different dimensions. It’s also | | | | phase. What goes where, what is the order of |
| helpful if you know how large your pet will get so you | | | | construction, what size should this piece be and so on. |
| can plan ahead. | | | | When building a reptile enclosure if the plans are |
| Another benefit of a plan is it helps you to think about | | | | detailed enough you will find that you constantly refer |
| your pet reptiles other needs such as heat mats, | | | | to them. This also helps minimise costly errors. |
| basking lights, UV lights, misting systems, substrates, | | | | Using a plan, whether is be yours, a purchased plan or |
| decorations such as artificial walls, artificial trees and | | | | someone else’s, will save you time, money and |
| branches, and how these can be made and placed in | | | | effort and produce a much better results for you and |
| the cage. | | | | your pet reptile. |