Reptile Coffee Tables: Cool or Creepy?

Let’s face it: A snake or iguana cage can really clash with upscale décor. CagesByDesign.com, which makes unusual animal enclosures, came up with the idea of making coffee and end tables that are the right temperature for a reptile — and the right look for any living room. The price tag, though, may give you the creepy-crawlies: They run from $800 for a basic end table to $1,700 for a coffee table complete with temperature controls and decorative plants.

Adam Keller, president of the Neenah, Wis., company, says he started selling the tables six months ago because the demand was so high. “If we hear from customers a demand for a product, we are usually quick to react in building something they would like,” he tells PEOPLE Pets. Each is made to order and take about a week to make from raw materials.

Ball pythons and other small reptiles are living in Keller’s tables around the country right now. And the critters seem to like their fancy, new homes. “We make sure we don't sacrifice the appropriate environment just because we are creating attractive furniture pieces,” says Keller.

If making your animal cages blend into your décor isn’t your highest priority, but you still want something with a clean look, CagesByDesign.com also sells less expensive cages (about $300) that have cabinets for your animal supplies. You can also make whatever cage you have more fun for your pet with the company's toys, ferret hammocks and waterfalls!

Carol Vinzant