How to Build a Cheap Snake Rack

If you are a snake breeder, or are about to make your first endeavor into the world of snake breeding, the odds are you need a rack. While many racks are available for purchase commercially, they are very expensive, and will postpone your breeding profits for at least a year.

Many people have turned to building their own rack, but those who find their carpenter skills lacking tend to shy away from the table saw and power drills. Luckily, there is a very simple way to make a snake rack, and it costs less than $50 USD. It can be made by one person, with minimal tools needed; it will take about one hour to fully assemble. Each rack will hold approx. 30 boxes, depending on their size.

Materials needed:

1 five shelf bookcase ($25 from Walmart)

shelving board

Screws

Flexwatt

Wire tape

Sterilite/Rubbermaid tubs

Metal corner stabilizers

Tools needed:

Power Drill

Wire cutters

Saw

Utility knife

The bookcase will be your main rack unit. It is pre-cut, and simple to assemble. Any five-shelf case will work, but the Saunders brand is my bookcase of choice; it is thick, durable, pretty, and cheap.

Step1: Assemble the bookcase according to its directions.

Step 2: Cut shelving boards and screw into the center of each shelving units. If you do not have access to a saw, purchase your wood from a place like Lowes or Home Depot; they will cut the wood into smaller increments for you. With the shelving, you are basically adding an extra shelf between each existing shelf, so that you will have 10 small shelves instead of 5 large ones. The distance between these shelves will vary depending on the height of the sweater boxes you use. Be sure to find the correct height before securing the boards.

Step 3: Screw the metal corner stabilizers onto the top corners of the bookcase.

Step 4: Use the utility knife to cut an opening into the back cardboard the size of the Flexwatt. This opening should leave a 1/4 to 1/2 inch around the edges of the Flexwatt to allow good air circulation.

Step 5: Tack wired Flexwatt to the back openings, so that they are aligned with the sweater boxes. Attach to thermostat and plug into wall.