Boa enclosure help?

So I'm getting a boa, most likely a red tail boa, and I'm building my own enclosure for it. Basically all I need to know are the ideal dimensions of a cage for an 8 foot snake. All my google research has gotten me extremely varied answers.

I don't know if i'm getting a baby or an adult or what, so I'm pretty much gonna make something it can live in its entire life. Of course, if its a baby i'll close off some of the enclosure so its not overwhelmed with space.

thanks

For a boa I would go with 6' x 2' x 2' (L x W x H)

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

For a boa I would go with 6' x 2' x 2' (L x W x H)

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Agreed. Although a male Colombian or one of the smaller localities can usually do alright in a 4x2x2. But bigger is always better and boas are active snakes that will use whatever space you give them. :gj:

Yep. 6x2x2. That's what mine got, even my male.

Here is one I built for my Berm if you wanna take ideas.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

Would it be okay for me to keep using my 40 breeder until the end of the year and then purchase a 6x2x2, or should I go ahead and get the 4x2x2 and then upgrade after I move? I don't have space for a 6 foot long enclosure right now!

My boa female is a little less than a year old and I have her in a 4x2x1 and from the looks of it, she'll be in there a while. Plenty of space for her. When she is full grown however I'll move her in a 6x2x2.

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Originally Posted by missriss2012

Would it be okay for me to keep using my 40 breeder until the end of the year and then purchase a 6x2x2, or should I go ahead and get the 4x2x2 and then upgrade after I move? I don't have space for a 6 foot long enclosure right now!

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If you are getting a baby or maybe even a yearling, he should do just fine in a 40gal breeder as long as you can get temps and humidity alright (tanks are a pain). The 40gal should be ok until the snake is about 1 1/2 to 2 years old.

Depending on what you get, the 4x2x2 may well be fine for the snake's entire life. I always say bigger is better - and it is - but you don't have to go bigger. If you get a male Colombian or a smaller locality, like a Hog Island or Central American, you do not need a 6x2x2. Just make sure the snake gets some exercise outside the enclosure at least once or twice a week. And I would put a shelf in the enclosure too - that adds a LOT of usable space for your snake. He will do fine in the 4x2x2 for quite a long time and you can always upgrade to a 6x2x2 if and when you determine he is either too large or you simply want to give him more space. :gj:

I post these photos a lot, and there are several old threads you can search dealing with caging. I have a male Colombian BCI. This cage is 4 x 2 x 14 inches high. He uses the whole cage and is quite busy on the perches.

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/DSC00734.jpg
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/DSC00728.jpg

If I upgrade the royal python's cage, she will get this cage (above), and the boa will move to a 4 foot X 30 inches deep X 18 inches high cage. It's a bit more depth and height and I can stack the cages if needed.

This is a 40 Gal Critter Cage. It's insulated and rather tall, but IMO even though the current boa cage I have is longer and deeper, I think the royal would be better off in it. These glass tanks just aren't that easy. Top feeding and cleaning is a pain. I had to use Reflectix insulation all over the back, sides, bottom and I made a top cover for it. It looks OK, but plastic caging is the way to go.

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...ec4132582a.jpg

You could look at the Constrictors NW web page and look at Pro-Line modular caging.

There is a really nice 5 foot cage with 16 inches of height for $375 including shipping.

If you get the big cage right off the bat, you'll want to look at some type of small plastic tub that you can put in the cage to make a cage within a cage. If you are buying a very young snake that may be the option to use. If you are getting an established feeder that is a little older you may be able to get away with the large cage right away. Ask the breeder what they are doing and follow the advice.

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Originally Posted by Gio

You could look at the Constrictors NW web page and look at Pro-Line modular caging.

There is a really nice 5 foot cage with 16 inches of height for $375 including shipping.

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I'm planning on getting these if/when my females outgrow their 4x2 Boamasters.