Indigo
09-30-2014, 02:21 PM
I hope I'm not diving in too deep being so new here, but I wanted to review the housing I have for my new Syrian. I saw a review posted for general aquarium cages, but not about the specific brand I have which has some unique features.
Zilla is a U.S.A based company that specializes in reptile husbandry supplies. I also keep reptiles, so I am familiar with their products and I've found their Critter Cage terrariums to be very well suited for hamster keeping.
The terrariums range in size from L: 16in W: 8in H: 10in (40x20x25cm) all the way up to 24in x 48in x 18in (60x122x45cm). The smallest one is about the equivalent of a 10 gallon (30L) aquarium. There are many sizes to choose from. I purchased mine from Petco as a stand-alone item although they are sometime sold as "starter kits" for reptiles. As is true for many animal "starter kits", they are rarely actually big enough for the animal advertised, so buyer beware.
One nice advantage of a CC over a regular aquarium is the weight. I've kept fish all my life, and I know that aquariums are HEAVY. Because the cage is a terrarium and NOT an aquarium, it is more lightly built. There is even a warning label on the bottom telling you NOT to fill it with water because it will not hold support that pressure.
Another advantage is the locking screen top. Designed to keep escape artists like snakes from wiggling their way out, it's doubtful your hamster will be going anywhere. The screen slides into a groove in the top of the cage and clicks shut. You lift the tabs with your thumbs while pulling to open it.
It also includes a place for a small luggage lock or padlock to keep extra curious hands from going where they shouldn't. Obviously intended to prevent theft or access to dangerous reptiles, it is quite useful. I live in an apartment complex and the staff do enter our units (with prior notice) for various reasons. A friend in my building once walked in and caught one of the maintenance men playing with her bird! A lock like the one on the CC would greatly deter people from taking such liberties. It happens when you've got cute things. (No one bothers my snake. I wonder why…)
This cage housed my hognose snake before I moved her to an ExoTerra Long/Low (also beautiful cages!) You can buy ledges and shelves for glass aquariums that are held on by very strong magnets on each side. They are usually marketed towards reptiles and are therefore able to hold animals much heavier than a hamster. Of course, other types of shelving can be made for far less money!
Glass is also easy to clean and does not hold odor like plastic or wood does. Your hamster has no bars to chew and drive you crazy. You can view the animals very clearly from many angles.
So, summary for Zilla Critter Cage:
Pros:
Lighter than glass aquariums.
Easy to sanitize.
Animals easy to view.
Locking screen lid.
Hams can't kick substrate all over the floor.
Cons:
Not the least expensive option.
Still heavier than plastic options.
More fragile than wood or plastic.
I've attached some photos illustrating what I talked about. Please excuse that rotten metal wheel visible in the photo. It's gone now, replaced with a flying saucer.
Zilla is a U.S.A based company that specializes in reptile husbandry supplies. I also keep reptiles, so I am familiar with their products and I've found their Critter Cage terrariums to be very well suited for hamster keeping.
The terrariums range in size from L: 16in W: 8in H: 10in (40x20x25cm) all the way up to 24in x 48in x 18in (60x122x45cm). The smallest one is about the equivalent of a 10 gallon (30L) aquarium. There are many sizes to choose from. I purchased mine from Petco as a stand-alone item although they are sometime sold as "starter kits" for reptiles. As is true for many animal "starter kits", they are rarely actually big enough for the animal advertised, so buyer beware.
One nice advantage of a CC over a regular aquarium is the weight. I've kept fish all my life, and I know that aquariums are HEAVY. Because the cage is a terrarium and NOT an aquarium, it is more lightly built. There is even a warning label on the bottom telling you NOT to fill it with water because it will not hold support that pressure.
Another advantage is the locking screen top. Designed to keep escape artists like snakes from wiggling their way out, it's doubtful your hamster will be going anywhere. The screen slides into a groove in the top of the cage and clicks shut. You lift the tabs with your thumbs while pulling to open it.
It also includes a place for a small luggage lock or padlock to keep extra curious hands from going where they shouldn't. Obviously intended to prevent theft or access to dangerous reptiles, it is quite useful. I live in an apartment complex and the staff do enter our units (with prior notice) for various reasons. A friend in my building once walked in and caught one of the maintenance men playing with her bird! A lock like the one on the CC would greatly deter people from taking such liberties. It happens when you've got cute things. (No one bothers my snake. I wonder why…)
This cage housed my hognose snake before I moved her to an ExoTerra Long/Low (also beautiful cages!) You can buy ledges and shelves for glass aquariums that are held on by very strong magnets on each side. They are usually marketed towards reptiles and are therefore able to hold animals much heavier than a hamster. Of course, other types of shelving can be made for far less money!
Glass is also easy to clean and does not hold odor like plastic or wood does. Your hamster has no bars to chew and drive you crazy. You can view the animals very clearly from many angles.
So, summary for Zilla Critter Cage:
Pros:
Lighter than glass aquariums.
Easy to sanitize.
Animals easy to view.
Locking screen lid.
Hams can't kick substrate all over the floor.
Cons:
Not the least expensive option.
Still heavier than plastic options.
More fragile than wood or plastic.
I've attached some photos illustrating what I talked about. Please excuse that rotten metal wheel visible in the photo. It's gone now, replaced with a flying saucer.