Delilah the checkered garter.

[Rushthezeppelin]

Maybe I'm being a perfectionist but I'm already thinking of building her at least a medium sized viv out of wood. I was thinking 24"Wx18"Dx12"L. Any suggestions on what type of wood to use?

[Rushthezeppelin]

Well I couldn't help myself. I figured I'd drop in home depot and at least price things out, ended up just getting a 10' pine plank that I had them cut into three 24" sections and two 20" sections, some smaller pieces for the front and two 12"x16" pieces of glass. Already got it roughed out with just a few trim nails and it's already so sturdy I think I'm just going the throw more nails in and call it good. Still have to hunt down the little W vinyl tracks for the glass and find out the exact spot I need the tack in the top of the front. After that I'll seal it up with some water based polyurethane or something and then leave it in my friends garage for two weeks to offgas.

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[Rushthezeppelin]

Little more progress on the new enclosure. Glass tracks are done. Staining/sealing with polycrylic is next and a good long cure time.

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Also still have to cut the rails to go on the sides of the panes. What opinion do you guys have on the need to have a channel on the side rails for the glass to slide into? Is she going to be able to open the enclosure if the panes don't slide into pockets?

[d_virginiana]

Hm... I'm not 100% clear on the construction here (not very handy myself), but I doubt she could lift a pane of glass enough to escape. That being said, they are escape artists and I think an adult female could potentially budge one enough to get part of her body stuck under it, so having channels to keep the glass in place would probably be a good safety precaution.

[Rushthezeppelin]

Pics are sideways, glass slides side to side not up and down.

[d_virginiana]

Oh okay, that makes more sense then lol.

[Rushthezeppelin]

Anyone have any input on whether I need the pockets for the doors to slide into...or should just making sure those peices are flush to the glass edge and call it good?

[guidofatherof5]

Those pockets are a snakes favorite place to hide/sleep/rest. Great caution must be taken when opening up.

[Rushthezeppelin]

Those pockets are a snakes favorite place to hide/sleep/rest. Great caution must be taken when opening up.

I noticed that with Delilah often sleeping up on the rim of the tank pinched between the top of the cage...good thing its secured (I always triple check too).

So do I need the slight pocket (It probably won't be big enough for her to even get into just enough for the glass) or no? Just wanting to make sure this is escape proof but I don't want to have to rip more grooves into small pieces of wood with a mediocre table saw (I would kill to have a router table for this project).

[Rushthezeppelin]

More progess

Everything is now cut and secured (except the side rails for the glass, those go in after the sealing and glass). Last pic is my friend using the drill press to make the side vents (use some little pocket door pulls and a 1/16" bit).






Made sure I left room for my cord on my non-heat led that will be mounted inside.