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Design the Perfect Corn Cage

Skye

Skye

New member
Hello Everyone!

I hardly ever post, but I always greatly enjoy reading all the wonderful advice people here dispense, and so now I am looking for some help with this one.

A company who makes non-glass fish and frog tanks is thinking of getting into making snake cages. (No, I don't own, or have any financial interest in the company.) They would like to start by making a cage suitable for a corn. They have asked me for comments on design. Now, views on this one will be as diverse as people who keep corns, but I would love to hear as many ideas as possible. For the moment, assume that space and cost are irrelevant.

What would be your "perfect" corn cage?

Many, many thanks in advance to all, Skye
 
Right now, I use 36 x 28 x 18 inch vision cages. I like the size of these, and the snakes certainly seem to utilize all the space so I would be reluctant to reduce it, but I would change a few things about their design.
We use rubbermaid tubs for brumation, but during the Spring/Summer we like to see our snakes, and I also prefer opening a door I can see through rather than lifting an opaque lid.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
 
What would you change about vision' design?

Vision cages are designed and manufactured by reptile enthusiasts...
They are made with a molded one piece construction from durable high density impact resistant polyethylene. This makes them easy to clean (chemical resistant), and easy to light and heat, they are molded to allow easy light attachment. Most models have a heat lamp shroud built directly in.

All models are stackable with like models, great for conserving space if you have lots of reptiles. You can keep all your herps in one area for easier care and better display.
http://lllreptile.com/v2/content/ca...=vision-cages&product_string=v332-vision-cage
This kind of quality for under 50 bucks would be nice since we're fantasizing.

Who's this supposed to be perfect for, us or the snake?

I really like the Bob Applegate style setup, thats knicknamed "The Rock Pile", primarily for the exercise they provide for there long term occupants amongst other desirable features.
I believe that less egg binding occurs with "in Shape" snakes, imho. If I were a Corn Snake, and had a choice, thats the cage I'd want to live in. :D
One would have to keeping telling themselves there building to last a lifetime (your lifetime), as that kind of unit with first class construction materials will cost a lot more than one would probably imagine.
http://www.applegatereptiles.com/about/facilites2.html
I believe there is a U.S. member here who is starting to manufacture the "Applegate rock pile " style units. :)
 
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First on my list is probably price. Tupperware isn't popular because of it's asthetics, but I do like the applegate cages.
 
If I were to buy new cages, I would like
1. High visibility -- glass tanks are great for this...visions, etc., have nice doors, but some of the other manufacturers don't provide a large enough viewing area for my liking...I really like acrylic cages, but they're too expensive. Rack systems always have this problem...there are some nice, clear polycarbonate boxes available (Cambro makes a bunch) but the darn things are over $20 a box!
2. Stackable and front opening. I've seen stackable cages that open on the top...not a good thing. And stackable is much more space-efficient.
3. Relatively cheap. I have a very hard time trying to justify spending $100 on a vision cage when I can get a new glass tank for $30.


If I could design a new size, I'd probably go with the same 30" length, but increase the depth to 18". That way, you'd get more floor space, and it makes it much easier to arrange furniture with an 18" depth instead of only 12" (that's why I don't like 55 gallon tanks)

Oh - something I would really like in a cage is lighting. Not a hot bulb or bulky tube...what would be neat is to use LEDs installed on the ceiling. They have superbright leds that would put out a lot of light without taking up too much room or getting too hot. Don't know how long the bright ones last compared to regular types, but the ones on electronics work for years and never seem to burn out. Of course, this'll never happen under $70, but oh well.
 
What would you change about vision' design?
Click to expand...

Firstly, I am mostly very happy with them - so don't think that I dislike them. However, since you ask:
1) The biggest drawback is the fact that when stacked you have to unstack them all to change a lightbulb. Now they are made from a light enough material to be moveable by just me, but it is still a complete pain, as it is always the bottom bulb that goes.
2) I would make the dam wall at the front a little higher. Not an issue if you use paper towels or equivalent, but I would prefer to get less aspen on the floor.
3) I have no idea how it could be changed, but with the necessary movement of the glass doors within the tracks, I always wonder if a smaller corn would ever be able to push its way out between the two doors. I slot in a barrier where the doors overlap in the center with a couple of my thinner snakes.
4)I don't like the space below the door where they can completely hide, and make the cage look uninhabited and scare me everytime. I would fill that it somehow.

On the other hand, I agree that visions are excellent in the fact that they are easy to lift, easy to clean, stackable, and pretty well thought out in terms of ventilation, safety, and view-ability.
 
I think that cages that are best for the animal are important but that doesn't always mean size wise.

I feel that since rubbermaids can be bought HUGE and the fact they can be basically streilized is a huge bonus. Sometimes I see peoples "custom" cages that they think are so wonderful, and you look close and see all kinds of seams, "cracks" and stuff like that. Tons of filthy places bacteria could hide.

Another reason I choose to buy rubbermaids over a few tanks to house them in is because ventilation is SO much better in rubbermaids with properly placed holes! :) I mean compare the air flow of a car with a open sunroof with a car with two opposite windows open! I know ventilation is not as big an issue with corns as some other species but I feel it is important since they have to breath the air constantly.

My OTHER (yes rambling) reason for rubbermaids is the heating. You heat them with heat tape or something like it (pads) instead of lights. Lights don't work great all the time for corns as it is (although they arent "bad") but I am very afriad of fire when it comes to lamps. I know any heating device is a hazard but those bulbs and hoods scare me especially with the cats.

I like Vision caging too, although I have none, it looks good. But I see there are a few things that could be improved as you mentioned.

bmm
 
bmm,

I agree with many things you say. The fact that a cage is able to be properly sterilized is essential in my opinion. Visions don't have cracks, and do have rounded corners and edges, so like rubbermaids, I feel they can be adequately cleaned.

As for ventilation, they have grates at a diagonal angle at the back near the top, and then two (which can be used to place lights on or not as the choice may be) on the top of the cage. (These facts are for the model I am using.) This does give a slight height variation, but its not as good as one can self-manufacture with rubbermaids. I used to like what bushherp did with their cages where you could have side vents with sliding doors on them to give you a choice as to how much ventilation to offer at different times. The problem with doors on the sides though is that you can't stack cages right next to each other or you block the vents.

Since our cages are currently in the basement, we actually use lights and heat mats right now. The heat mats are on all the time to provide the thermal gradient, and the lights are just on for the day and believe it or not, some of the corns actually do bask. I undestand your concerns though if you have loose animals such as cats. All our inhabitants have cages.

My last point has to be a re-emphasis of the value of size. I know people have mentioned the higher chances of females becoming egg-bound if they don't move around enough, but I just like to give both sexes the room to move. I would say that over half of our corns make full use of the cage size every day. Actually I would prefer to give them more space, but I have to set a limit somewhere.

Here is how we do things right now, Skye
snakerack2.jpg
 
Wow nice set up

And I agree about size! Half of my corns are roaming ALL day. Especially the males. But the rest could live in a five gallon and wouldn't know the differance. haha :)

bmm
 
i think it might be cool to make a large shpere with a stand and the side could have a hinged door. I saw a picture of some one that did this, and after he had it set up with many logs, it was truly extraordinary! I hope you might give my idea some thought! Hope this helps!
 
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