Decor questions for adult boa owners

[Rakshasi]

This is for those of you that own (or are owned by?) large boas, and like to get all fancy with your boa's enclosure (as in, those maybe on display in a living room, main room, etc)...

Could you please perhaps share pictures of what you did to make your boa's home display-worthy?

My red tail, Marley, isn't in any main room, but he is in my bedroom. Right now, he just has his aspen, small/medium sized tub of water, and a lawn ornament that's kind of on the large side.

I've seen fake vines and such in local stores, but how would one go about attaching these so that they're SAFE for an around 13 pound boa (not entirely sure, but he's heavy)?

Could I go out and snag some large pieces of wood to put in there? How can I kill any bugs on it? I'll be taking the lawn ornament out to make space for things that are actually pleasing to look at. I'm aiming for a natural-looking feel.

Any ideas, suggestions, etc are entirely welcome!! He's a gorgeous snake, and I want his enclosure to compliment him better.

[MeMe]

The only things in my RTB's (Prince) tank is...a water bowl (big enough for him to get in) and his subtrate.

I don't put anything else in there. The bigger they are...the bigger the mess they make.

[Rakshasi]

Lol, I kind of figured I was nuts for asking.

I definitely understand about the mess. Come to think of it, maybe I'd be better off with a few pieces of simple driftwood if I'm that into making it look a bit more nature-y? (still don't quite know how to bake it so that the bugs or anything else die/s.)

I do have a question, though...do you have any problems with shedding, with nothing really in the tank for them to rub on? The reason I have the lawn ornament-thing in there is because I've convinced myself that Marley needs it. Yet, on here, I see so many people with nothing really in the tanks or tubs, so I feel kind of stupid saying I have it in there. *blushes*

[MeMe]

I wouldn't feel nuts/stupid for asking.

I use Aspen for my subtrate and he just rubs around on that and he uses the ridge on is water bowl to help him if he needs it.

I have had him for almost 10 years now and I have never had a problem with him shedding.

[Rakshasi]

Thanks alot for the fast response! Good to know the aspen helps with shedding. Maybe he won't have to keep that tacky looking wannabe snake/skull type thing I found at...hm...Kmart? I think.

And, oh, don't worry. I don't feel *too* stupid, but I do realize that I am a bit whacked for wanting to go all-out only to have it ripped down, knocked over and/or destroyed in less than a day. I just feel like I'm being neglectful because I decorate my cornsnake's tank. Although, he is way lighter and doesn't topple things over nearly as easily. Funny how the neglect all comes down to a simple lack of decor.

Thanks again!

[MeMe]

no problem.

I also have corns and they do have some vines and some driftwood.

I also put these small plastic ice cream cups in their tanks with their aspen all over them to make like little caves for them.

The corns tanks are way easier to keep clean and they love to burrow and hide.

RTB's...not so much.

Prince just packs the aspen down and flips his water bowl over all the time.

[ladywhipple02]

I've found that boas do enjoy climbing a bit...

If you want to spruce things up, putting some big pieces of drift wood in there would like nice... Or a couple shelves at different levels wouldn't go unused.

But I would definitely make sure they're secure if you use them, otherwise they'll get knocked over and drug around.

I have plans down the road for a nice display for my six foot girl: It's going to be two levels with large holes in the shelf so she can climb up and down. Branches interconnecting so she can use them to balance herself as she switches levels. Probably not much in the way of vine-age...she's so big she would either tear it down or squash it flat. Maybe just a few things along the wall for my benefit This thing is going to be long and tall to give her plenty of space...

But, yeah, hope that helps

[Rakshasi]

Thanks, MeMe. The ice cream cup idea sounds great for my cornsnake. I think he'd really enjoy that.

Thank you, Lynn! The shelf idea is fantastic! I'll keep that in mind for if I ever get the chance to custom build my own enclosure.