When I first started my interest in reptiles I was only young. At that stage of my life I had little or no skills and did not understand the requirements of the wonderful creatures so I did not keep them effectively. We just kept the local lizards, so the cage temperature was not an issue.
I rekindled my desire later in life but I also had mortgages, the cost of raising a family and the daily costs of living to contend with. A reptile was expensive enough, without adding the costs of retail cages and accessories. So I built my own. It saved me a lot of money.
You do need some basic tools but the money you save by making it yourself will allow you to purchase some of those tools that help make the cage. The remainder can go into accessories so that for the cost of a basic cage with nothing else you can make a cage, get some tools and the cage accessories and still have money left over. That's a big difference.
Many people have materials about the house. If you are going to make your own cages you can save even more money by using bits and pieces or timber you may already have, screws, old glass, hinges, light battens etc. that you already have in the basement or garage.
When upgrading one of my cages recently, I was able to reuse some of the materials and the fittings for use on the new cage. This saved me having to purchase new accessories and materials.
Another benefit is the ability to maintain your own cages. Many of the plastic or moulded cages cannot be fixed once they are broken. With a cage you made yourself you can usually fix broken locks or replace doors (I haven't had to do any of these yet as they are very sturdy).
When you build your own cages you decide how strong it will be and what quality of fitting, glues and materials you will be using. The higher the quality of materials and accessories you use, the better the final cage product. You are not at the mercy of manufacturers saving money by using inferior materials and poor quality fittings.
Another benefit is the ability to customise you cages to suit your purpose. One of my earliest cages was built as a normal cage but by placing a removable divider in the middle it allowed me to re-use the cage when I shipped one of the snakes out. This divider was fitted over the middle of a heat mat, allowing for two reptiles to be housed in the cage. It also had two doors. The cage is now used for another purpose but will soon be empty. The divider can still be placed back in the cage for another small snake and then simply removed as the snake gets larger. Tis snake will finally be moved into an arboreal cage. To purchase a plastic cage with divider that will only be a transient cage before the snake goes into a final cage is an expensive exercise.
If you do need to upgrade again, you have the time to build the final cage as the snake grows.
Making your own cages allows you to build and maintain your reptile cages in a cost effective manner while keeping them comfortable and healthy. You can also expand your collection in an affordable way, making more money available for the reptiles while still getting quality cages.
Mark Chapple is the Author of "How to build enclosures for reptiles." Find out how anyone can build reptile cages. Full color pictures, detailed diagrams and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com
There are lots of ways a horse can go lame.... Read More
Hopefully no one is pulling the leash. The ideal situation... Read More
General Info.Brine shrimps, or artemia, are a zooplankton used mainly... Read More
When pondering whether my neurosis is learned or genetic, I... Read More
Many parents know that the best way for children to... Read More
Why should you use the dog crate training method?Is the... Read More
What makes something news? The fact that you take good... Read More
Would you like to save money and have a healthier... Read More
West Highland White Terriers began their history as the undesirable... Read More
Let's say you've made up your mind on the breed... Read More
You know that cats should always have a supply of... Read More
Flowerhorn Cichlids Flowerhorn cichlids is a hybrid cichlid that was... Read More
Boxer Dogs Information - What Are Boxer Dogs? Boxer dogs... Read More
Weaning puppies is a perfectly natural process. Mamma dogs have... Read More
In compiling some information on achieving a proper fit to... Read More
DogtraWhen looking for a dog training collar or containment system,... Read More
As much as you may love your cute, new puppy,... Read More
Fleas are wingless, blood-sucking insects that feed on dog, cats,... Read More
In order to add love and affection to their lives,... Read More
I know there are differing opinions on the subject of... Read More
Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a... Read More
A breed of dog called a Boxer is very family-oriented... Read More
It is always sad when a beloved animal family member... Read More
1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently.... Read More
Mistake #7 ? Assuming You Can Get On Any Horse... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
Buying a purebred dog is not something that should be... Read More
Perhaps the best way to train your westie pups not... Read More
Location of your aquariumSo, you bought your very first fish... Read More
Dog grooming is relatively simple for most dogs. I have... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
I've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More
Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More
Is A Boxer Right For You?Country of Origin: Germany ... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
It is very important to decide whether to keep your... Read More
There are a number of reasons for choosing natural pet... Read More
You are ready to bring your Boxer home? First, you... Read More
Author of Keep Fleas OffStill using all the chemicals you... Read More
Many people think cats are asocial, but in fact they... Read More
You do clean your house don't you? Well you have... Read More
Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A... Read More
Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More
Would you like to save money and have a healthier... Read More
Puppy CarePuppy care can be a lot of work, but... Read More
You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it... Read More
As much as you may love your cute, new puppy,... Read More
So what does it mean to float a horse's teeth?... Read More
Anyone can put two dogs together and let them breed,... Read More
Since having a dog is such a common thing, do... Read More
"Westies" or West Highland White Terriers are furry coated dogs,... Read More
There are many ways in which you can prepare for,... Read More
Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed... Read More
Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If... Read More
Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities... Read More
Horse training can be a relatively mysterious subject to people... Read More
One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More
Good filtration is the prime priority in the discus tank.... Read More
The most common dog problems:Dog Owner's commonly ask me the... Read More
Dog DoorsWhen we think of dog doors, we think of... Read More
Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for... Read More
Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for... Read More
There are lots of ways a horse can go lame.... Read More
Doggie day care is becoming more and more prevalent in... Read More
Just like children, westie puppies learn through play. Playing games... Read More
The act of offering Christmas gifts is always enhanced if... Read More
Pet |