housing an adult RTB help?

[hylian]

I know that many people keep their BPs and other small snakes in tubs and rack systems, but would it be possible to get a tub large enough to put an adult red tail boa in? Would it be an adequate enclosure? I'm interested in getting a red tail boa, and I've seen quite a few adults for sale on craigslist. six foot tanks are a bit expensive an maintaining such a large tank would be a pain. I take out and play with my ball python all the time, so it would get plenty on exercise.

[hypnotixdmp]

Check out animal plastics, they have lots of tub sizes, you want something like 4-6 ft long. The racks made for them would be build sideways, and are nice for sure, but you are going to be paying some $$ for it!!!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4

[Diamond Serpents]

I know that many people keep their BPs and other small snakes in tubs and rack systems, but would it be possible to get a tub large enough to put an adult red tail boa in? Would it be an adequate enclosure? I'm interested in getting a red tail boa, and I've seen quite a few adults for sale on craigslist. six foot tanks are a bit expensive an maintaining such a large tank would be a pain. I take out and play with my ball python all the time, so it would get plenty on exercise.

Check out boaphile the 4' x 2' cages are nice and that's really not to much bigger then a 40 gallon breeder if you think about it.

[Evenstar]

Minimum cage size for an adult BCI boa is a 4x2x2. Larger females and BCC should be in 6x2x2. You can get away with a tub like a 41qt or Iris CB70 until the snake is about 2 yrs old. Then they'll need to move up to a more appropriate cage. The only tub that is acceptable for an adult boa is the Iris Christmas tree tub (available at Walmart over the holidays) or the Freedom Breeder tubs that they sell with their stainless steal rack systems. Those are great, but quite pricey.

There are several companies that make pvc cages that are fairly economical. Animal Plastics, PVCcages.com, and Constrictors NW (ProLine) are my favorites. I LOVE ProLine - Ed at Constrictors NW is really helpful and he uses HDPE plastic which is far superior to pvc. Hopefully that helps you some.

[Gio]

Here is a Pro-Line 4' X 2' X 14". it was $263 delivered to my door and included an extra lock and 3 sets of perch holders.


Pro-Line (Constrictors NW) is in Washington State.

I've obviously added a lot to it, and use an RHP for heat and a Herpstat for temp regulation.

I'm not sure where you are looking to save, but with BCI's a lot of the time caging is more than the snake. It's also important not to skimp on caging and to remember the pet's best interest.

Considering a cage a "pain to maintain" is not a good sign, no offense but no matter what the snake is in it needs to be kept properly. A drop door or sliding door cage is quite easy to maintain, and referring to it as a large enclosure is a concern. They NEED a large enclosure. Not Burmese or retic large, but an adult boa can be quite large. I'm not trying to be mean or talk down to you, I'm trying to help so don't take offense.


I have to be honest, I loved buying the enclosure and setting it up. It was just as exciting as buying the snake. I took the time to have everything as close to perfect as I could before the snake arrived a month later.

It's well worth saving up a bit and setting up properly. Maybe wait a bit and do it right. You will be happier and so will the snake.

You will never run out of options to buy a BCI, they are everywhere.

Boas are semi arboreal and I think they are happier if they have a bit of room to move and groove.

[Evenstar]

I know that many people keep their BPs and other small snakes in tubs and rack systems, but would it be possible to get a tub large enough to put an adult red tail boa in? Would it be an adequate enclosure? I'm interested in getting a red tail boa, and I've seen quite a few adults for sale on craigslist. six foot tanks are a bit expensive an maintaining such a large tank would be a pain. I take out and play with my ball python all the time, so it would get plenty on exercise.

Here is a Pro-Line 4' X 2' X 14". it was $263 delivered to my door and included an extra lock and 3 sets of perch holders.

I'm not sure where you are looking to save, but with BCI's a lot of the time caging is more than the snake. It's also important not to skimp on caging and to remember the pet's best interest.

Considering a cage a "pain to maintain" is not a good sign, no offense but no matter what the snake is in it needs to be kept properly. A drop door or sliding door cage is quite easy to maintain, and referring to it as a large enclosure is a concern. They NEED a large enclosure. Not Burmese or retic large, but an adult boa can be quite large. I'm not trying to be mean or talk down to you, I'm trying to help so don't take offense.

Absolutely. Boas are large, active snakes and need the room that a tub cannot give them, with the possible exception of the Iris Christmas Tree boxes from Walmart - which would still only be acceptable for a Colombian male or one of the Insular Island localities which tend to be smaller.

PVC cages are not like tanks and are much easier to clean and maintain than a tank. This is really the only acceptable type of enclosure for the average adult boa. BABIES can easily be kept in tubs. I have all my babies in a standard 41qt rack. They are moved to 4x2x2 cages at around 2yrs old though. If you do not want to deal with the appropriate cage, perhaps a different type of snake would be better suited for you. But really, they are easy to clean - every bit as easy as a tub! Give it a try - you won't be sorry! And you'll love having a boa!

[Gio]

Absolutely. Boas are large, active snakes and need the room that a tub cannot give them, with the possible exception of the Iris Christmas Tree boxes from Walmart - which would still only be acceptable for a Colombian male or one of the Insular Island localities which tend to be smaller.

PVC cages are not like tanks and are much easier to clean and maintain than a tank. This is really the only acceptable type of enclosure for the average adult boa. BABIES can easily be kept in tubs. I have all my babies in a standard 41qt rack. They are moved to 4x2x2 cages at around 2yrs old though. If you do not want to deal with the appropriate cage, perhaps a different type of snake would be better suited for you. But really, they are easy to clean - every bit as easy as a tub! Give it a try - you won't be sorry! And you'll love having a boa!

My bad,, I agree a TANK is tough to clean. We have our Royal in one but that was our first snake and we made it work. The plastic caging is a totally different setup. The best part about these boards is the people you find here have the experience to help. I came here and elsewhere and pretty much took in what everybody had to say from caging, to feeding, to size and locality options.

I took close to a years worth of research and really the only possible regret I have is that I didn't get a female. I love my male though. I'll grow him as big as he can get safely without risk to him.

Anyhow, from my perspective, I'd say you should NOT get an adult boa, you should start with a boa that is 6 months to a year old. The cage should be the first priority and go from there.

Lots of time,,, lots of time.

Do it right and enjoy it!!!

[jason_ladouceur]

Housing, feeding, cleaning and general maintenance of an adult boa is a lot more exspensive and effort than it is for a ball python. That being said IMO it is worth it x100. In the past 20 years I've kept more species than I care to count from garter snakes to retics to gaboon vipers, and most things in between. I'm not sure I'd ever be able to pick a favorite species. But if I made a top 10 list boas would be on it. They exhibit some of the most amazing personalities of all species I've had the pleasure to work with over the years. Do yourself a favor. Spend the money. Buy a good quality PVC cage. Get yourself a boa, what ever boa that peaks your interest, since their are so many amazing options to choose from these days. You won't be sorry.

If I had a dollar for every ball python keeper just on this forum that gets a boa and is blown away and excited about how much more interesting captives they make than their bp's.....
... Well I'd probably be able to afford a couple more boas lol.

[Evenstar]

If I had a dollar for every ball python keeper just on this forum that gets a boa and is blown away and excited about how much more interesting captives they make than their bp's.....
... Well I'd probably be able to afford a couple more boas lol.

Me too!!!

I took close to a years worth of research and really the only possible regret I have is that I didn't get a female. I love my male though. I'll grow him as big as he can get safely without risk to him.

I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!

[Gio]

"If I had a dollar for every ball python keeper just on this forum that gets a boa and is blown away and excited about how much more interesting captives they make than their bp's.....
... Well I'd probably be able to afford a couple more boas lol."

Me too!!!




I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!

That is so true. The best thing about our shy, little, hiding Royal is that she got me into boas. They are a great "gateway" snake but whoa,, BC's are something special and it doesn't have to be a fancy color or pattern to be interesting.

Yes you did tell me so LOL. I really am so comfortable with the species that I now hope I get a giant of a male. I would have no issues with a 9 foot female. Getting bitten has already happened so that fear is gone.

The only other snake I can see possibly being intrigued by to the extent of a boa would be a male dwarf or SD retic.