How to Build a Grotto

This is how to build a grotto: You have two options here: build your cage from scratch or buy a suitable storage cabinet and convert it. We couldn't find a cabinet the size we wanted, so we opted to build it ourselves. Draw up a detailed design first, noting exact measurements and figure out the perfect interior plan for positioning of ladders and hammocks and other toys so it's interested for your rats. The Grotto is 175 cm tall, 80 cm wide and 45 cm deep. The size was simply what worked best with the lengths of laminated wood we could buy (i.e. 45 x 240 cm made 3 shelves). There's 5 shelves, each about 30 cm apart (ensure there's room for your rats to stretch to full height on at least a few levels), plus a storage area. Each shelf is slightly different. The top one is only 30 cm deep (rather than the whole 45 cm) so that a ladder can come down in front of it. This also provides more headroom on the level below, and the rats can climb up the wire in front of it to reach the top hammock (they enjoy this). The second one is a full shelf, with a rectangular ladder hole cut out of the back right hand corner. The third shelf is also a full one, with the access hole (and trap door) cut out of the front left hand corner. The bottom part of the cage was designed specifically for old rats who can't get around as well. The fourth shelf is only a half shelf... like the top one, it's only 30 cm deep, but it also only goes half way across the cage. It's met with a hammock instead, so that old rats can walk straight off the shelf into their hammock without climbing. There's also room for a long low ramp instead of a ladder down the front (after removal of the tree branch). With no old rats at the moment, we've added more interest with the tree branch (bolted in at the bottom right) and the digging box. We also recently added a narrow shelf above the hammock on the right and a terracotta pot for the rats to lurk in.