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