Are you a proud owner of a snake, lizard, turtle, or bearded dragon? Or maybe looking to get your first reptile pet? Either way, giving them a great enclosure will make them feel safe and welcome in your home.
If you’re the crafty type, you’ll be interested to know that there are plenty of options for DIY reptile enclosures that you can build today! So, when you’re ready to learn how to build a reptile enclosure for your scaly friend, take a look through our list of the 9 best DIY plans for reptiles of every species.
The 6 DIY Reptile Enclosure Plans Are:
1. Upcycled Bookshelf DIY Reptile Enclosure from Instructables
We love any DIY plan that can take disused furniture and make it into something great. If you have an extra bookcase that’s not storing your novels any longer, why not turn it into an awesome reptile enclosure with these plans from Instructables? It’ll take a little bit of DIY know-how to finish, but is well worth the time and effort.
- Old bookcase
- Wood filler
- Deck screws
- White contact paper
- Silicone caulk
- Fence post topper and 2x4s for legs (optional)
- Construction adhesive
- Trim nails
- Crown molding (optional)
- Acrylic sheeting or sign holders and 1x2s for doors
- ½” C-channel for sliding doors
- 1” PVC pipe and window screen for vents
- Tape measure
- Drill and drill bits
- Jigsaw
- T-square
- Sander
- Scissors
- Hammer
- Clamps
- Hot glue
2. Upcycled Windows DIY Reptile Enclosure Plans from Animals at Home
Animals at Home has provided these unique plans to turn old windows into a custom enclosure for your reptile friend. They’re quite tricky to build, but the video found with the plans will clear up any questions you might have along the way.
- (8) 36” x 21” windows
- Mineral oil
- Painters tape
- GE Silicone I
- Black indoor/outdoor latex paint
- Oak trim (1) 1” x 3” and (3) 1” x 2”
- Polyurethane stain
- Acrylic sheet for door
- (2) 3” door hinges
- (6) bolts & acorn nuts and (6) wood screws for hinges
- No More Nails
- Cam locks
- Headlight buff kit for cleaning acrylic (optional)
- Storm door panel clips
- Glass cutter
- Paintbrush or roller
- Sandpaper or fine steel wool
- Drill and drill bits
- Jigsaw
- Pencil
- Tape measure
3. Entertainment Center DIY Reptile Enclosure Plans from Instructables
Another awesome option for upcycling old furniture, this reptile enclosure from Instructables is made out of an old entertainment center! Since most of the construction has already been done for you, it’s a great project for people short on time who are willing to follow directions closely. Plus, it’s one of the largest DIY reptile enclosures you can build.
- 5 shelf wooden bookcase
- Acrylic sheet at least 29” x 48”
- (16) corner braces
- (2) flat braces
- (4) butt hinges
- Weather stripping
- LED strip kit
- Saran wrap
- Styrofoam sheets
- Coco fiber
- Drill and bits
- Silicone
- Hot glue
- Polyurethane finish
4. Custom DIY Reptile Enclosure Plans from Instructables
If you have access to the tools of a woodworking shop, these DIY plans from Instructables make for a sturdy and easily customized enclosure. Equally suitable for snakes, turtles, or lizards, it’s a fairly advanced project that requires considerable time and effort.
- Wood screws 1 ½”
- Screws ¾” and 1″
- Pine wood 1″x2″ and 1″x3″
- 2″x2″ wood
- Plexiglass .093″ thickness
- Plywood about ¼”
- Screen clips
- 1″ hinges
- 1 ½” bolt latch
- Mesh screen (screen door screen, optional)
- White pegboard
- Stain
- Mold resistant paint
- Table saw or circular saw
- Drill and bits
- Jigsaw with wood and plexiglass cutting blades
- Hot glue gun
- Staple gun
- Sander
- Clamps
- L square
5. Bookcase DIY Reptile Enclosure Plans from Instructables
You can turn any thrift store bookcase find into a fully outfitted reptile enclosure with these plans from Instructables. Since most of the wood construction is already done for you, all you’ll need to do is install the windows, decorations, and heat lamps to make it a complete home for your lizards or snakes.
- Bookcase (5 shelves)
- Window screen material
- Caulk
- Branches
- Sand (safe/appropriate for animal)
- Heat lamps and other lizard supplies
- Hook and eye closures
- Hinges
- Screws
- Nails
- Paint (for decoration, if desired)
- Drill and bits
- Jigsaw
- Staple gun and staples
- Hammer
- Paintbrushes (optional)
6. Bearded Dragon DIY Reptile Enclosure Plans from Instructables
Specially designed to house a bearded dragon, this enclosure from Instructables has simple materials but requires quite a few power tools. If you’re willing to put in the effort to make it though, you’ll be rewarded with an all-in-one home for your bearded dragon that’s durable and customizable.
- (1) sheet ½” Baltic birch ply-wood
- ¾” x 1″x 8′ poplar
- (2) 1/8” – ¼” thick Plexiglas sheets measuring 15 ½” x 17″
- ¼” hole Poultry fabric for the top
- 1 ¼” screws
- Cordless drill
- Cordless screw gun
- Table saw
- Crosscut sled
- Wire cutters
- Sander
- Looking for food that won’t escape the enclosure? Try: 9 Best Worms for Bearded Dragons
Final Thoughts
Caring for reptiles requires specialized habitats, and these can often be quite expensive to buy from the store. With these DIY enclosure plans, we hope that you’ve been inspired to learn how to build a reptile enclosure for your reptile that will keep them happy and healthy for years to come.
For more DIY projects check out these posts:
- 8 DIY Hamster Cages You Can Build Today
- 10 DIY Hamster Bin Cages You Can Build Today
- 5 DIY Chinchilla Cage Plans You Can Build Today
- 12 Guinea Pig Cage Plans You Can DIY Today
Featured Image Credit: PIRO4D, Pixabay
