Question about enclosure

[Skyshadow]

I am in the process of planning to get my first Tegu in a few weeks. I have been designing his cage and run into a question I haven't found answers to on the forum. For many larger animals (including my 95lb pitbull mix) I have used 2x4's as a skeleton with a 1/4 plywood skin. I was thinking of having 2x4s every foot or so, with the plywood skin attached to that. Has anyone done this before, and if so, does it provide the needed strength to hold in an adult tegu once ours has grown?

Here is an example (NOT MY PICTURE) of the 2x4 skin that the plywood would be attached over although in this case the plywood would go inside not outside! Hope this helps those more visual.

 

[snibborsirk]

I think most here would agree that 1/4" plywood is definitely too thin. I picked up an enclosure from someone that used 3/8" plywood and never actually used it because it was way too flimsy. Most use the thicker (3/4" or larger) plywood with much less of a 2x4 skeleton.

 

[Jrock23]

Yes i agree, its better to use 3/4'' plywood..

 

[beantickler]

I used 1/2 or less... cant remember. I made my 2x4 exoskeleton and sheeted the inside... my 2x4s are 16" apart so i have zero flex. I can walk around on the top of mine with no issues what so ever. Imo 3/4 is extreme overkill unless you skimp on the 2x4s

 

[snibborsirk]

I used 1/2 or less... cant remember. I made my 2x4 exoskeleton and sheeted the inside... my 2x4s are 16" apart so i have zero flex. I can walk around on the top of mine with no issues what so ever. Imo 3/4 is extreme overkill unless you skimp on the 2x4s

Agreed - 3/4" is great for minimum 2x4s or none at all. My enclosure is 3/4" with no other support and its strong. It's a trade off, thicker plywood or slightly thinner with more support.