Q for those housing boas or other large snakes in PVC cages

[artgecko]

Hi guys!
Although I have a varied small collection (9 now with #10 on the way)... I have decided that boas are the direction I'm going. I currently have 2 males (BCI and BCA), just ordered a CA Motley male, and have plans (in the next 2 years or so) to acquire a breeding pair of Nicaraguans or BCLs... That said, this is obviously a more expensive direction for me to go with my collection housing-wise.

For those with multiple cages, what brand have you found to be the most economical, yet quality? Is is cheaper to buy a pre-fab unit of multiple cages (i.e. proline) or just collect as you go?
And, given 2 cages with the same heating setup (flexwatt, etc.) do you ever run them on the same thermostat channel?

I will more-than-likely be looking for sliding glass doors (with locks) and belly heat (the room is heated so I do not need RHPs). What will make it expensive, is the height I want.. I'm planning on 4'x2'x 18", which bumps of the cost quite a bit when dealing with any of the cage makers.

I'd appreciate any opinions from those that have multiple cages.
Thanks for your time / help!

[HVani]

My male sunglow is in a T8(48"x24"x12") from animal plastics. I have my other snakes in these as well. I have found them to be very well made and great enclosures. Any specific reason you want 18" in height? Mine are 12" and they are quite roomy. I still have room to put in climbing branches for him.

[artgecko]

Thanks for the reply!
I was wanting the 18" for 2 reasons.. I did want climbing space, either a shelf or tall enough for climbing branches, etc. But I have also heard that the 12" tall ones are very hard to clean vs. the taller cages.

[DennisM]

Animal plastics. Maybe take a look at the T10, 15 high and $130 less than the 18 tall T11. I keep large carpet pythons in these. But if 18 inches is a must, I still say AP.

[artgecko]

Thanks!
The AP cages do look like a good deal. But when I played with the cart... Even the T8 (with a light fixture, heat tape, and lock) ended up costing almost $300... I played with the cart some more and added another cage and set of accessories to see if that would help on shipping costs, but apparently you don't get a break on shipping when you buy more than one cage at a time.

I may have to look into a seller that comes to a show near me... Maybe getting a cage delivered will at least save on shipping (I think the shipping for AP was $60 per cage).

If 15" is tall enough, then I could use one that tall... I have a Jaguar male Carpet that will need a cage as well. Do you have a pvc perch in there for him or a shelf?

[davidjleggett69]

Ebberston

[DennisM]

If 15" is tall enough, then I could use one that tall... I have a Jaguar male Carpet that will need a cage as well. Do you have a pvc perch in there for him or a shelf?

I don't use perches or shelves, though you could certainly fit one into the T10

[Sauzo]

I agree with DennisM, check out the AP T-10 cage. Its plenty high and can put a shelf in to give in essence even more floor space. I personally am using a Pro-Line 48x23x14 HDPE cage now for my 6ft BCI but I will probably give AP cages a try as I've heard great things about them and their customer service responses are quick.

[Gio]

Well,

The amount of space you give depends on how many animals you want. I prefer to enjoy all of the animals in my care VS feeling like a farmer and having to use efficiency setups. I totally understand the need for them because having a lot of anything creates the need for faster cleanup, feeding, water changes plus time savings. Smaller more efficient caging setups also open up more space for more caging.

That said BCs ARE semi arboreal and they will use vertical space. They will also physically benefit from the climbing and exercise.

There are large BCCs found in their natural habitats high up in the canopy, not just the baby BCs.

I have a 48" x 30" x 20" Pro-Line and I think I would have gone 24" high if I was not concerned about heating.

This particular boa is about 5.5 feet long and is fed from perches 90% of the time, and he also will climb in the evenings.



I have these perches about 15-15.5" off the deck and he has 5" between the perch and the ceiling when he is up(bottom cage). The top cage here is 14" high and there is a young coastal carpet in it. She will soon get a 24" tall cage.



Another option is to cycle your animals through the taller cages every few cleaning/disinfecting sessions and then they can all get a crack at the bigger space but you don't have to outfit the whole room with big cages.

Personal preference really, but I like seeing them climb.

[GoingPostal]

I think any well known companies pvc cage is going to run 3-400 once you add heating and lighting or whatever you need. I've seen up and coming people making snake cages for less, but there's a noticeable quality drop as far as appearance too. I have boaphiles and they were not cheap but factored into the life of my snakes, and keeping them healthy seems more than worth it.