Adult Hog Island Boa

[Pokey]

An adult hog island boa was "donated" to a local pet store. I am not sure of the sex, but it is about 6 feet long and in great shape. Not to mention the fact that it has a great temperment. It eats well and enjoys being held, or at least it doesn't try to get away. I was wondering if there is any specific care issues involved with buying a 5 year old hog island boa that is outside the care of any other boa. I mean, is there anything i need to be concernd about?
I know that the temps need to have a 80-90 F gradient with 50-60% humidity and at least 1 sq ft of floor space per foot in body length with fresh water and a suitable hide(s).
But is this going to be an aboreal snake, or will I need to rethink my temps and humidity? The nice people at the pet shop were not the most knowledged in the area of husbandry for this particular snake.
I have owned a red-tail, and currently am rasing a baby ball python, so i am accustomed to being mindful of a snake and its needs.
Thanks

[Shelby]

Hoggies rock. I have a 5.5' girl.

They don't need to climb. Same husbandry as a colombian boa. They tend to stick in the cool hide a lot though.

[Pokey]

So, should I lower the temps to keep the ambient temp cooler than 80's? Or is the 90F basking spot a must?

[Shelby]

I keep mine at 90 warm, 80 cool.. versus 92-95/82-85 respectively.

[Pokey]

humidity?

[Shelby]

50-60%

[Pokey]

thanks!
I am looking forward to the new family member.

[Shelby]

They're neat snakes.. I want to see pics when you get it.

[Pokey]

I also would like to know what kind of lighting requirements she will need. I think i am just going to mount a flouresent fixture on the inside of the cage set on a timer but i need to know if it is necessary that i have a uv bulb. I am right now building the cage by hand. Tell me if I have it right so far.

- 4x2 cage 12 inches high
- uth on one side (probably gonna be flexwat) aprox 1/3rd of the tank on a tstat set to 90F
- the cool end of the tank will have a built in hide large enough for her to curl up in
- her water bowl will be large enought for her to soak in and will probably be located on the hot end of the tank in order to help with the humidity.
- the ends of the tank will be vented and the bottom will be lexan (plexi) so that the uth wont have to work to hard to heat up the tank.
- for subtrate i am vasilating between aspen and that environment frendly stuff the pet stores are selling that is made up of recycled paper.

what do you think so far. the last time i had a big snake it was my fathers and he did all the husbandry, so this one is all mine and i want to get it right the first time so that i wont spend an arm and a leg fixing things later.

please let me know.

[Shelby]

No light necessary. I keep mine in mostly darkness and she does great.. eats like a champ.

There is NO snake species that requires uv light.

Since you're building the cage, why don't you just make it 6' long, because if your hoggie grows a bit more it'll appreciate the bigger space.

I'm not sure how much it'll cost you to make, but you can get nice cages inexpensively from boaphileplastics.com. Their 4' cage is $200 shipped.

You may need a second UTH. If the temps in your house fall below about.. oh 72 you'll definitely need one, because you want the cool side temp to be around 80.

Do not put the water bowl on the hot side. Your snake will much prefer to drink and soak in cooler water, and warm water is paradise for bacteria!

As for substrate.. aspen is cheaper than that fancy stuff they try to sell you. Personally, I go with newspaper with great success.