Cage height for Nic boa?

Hey guys! I'm about to finalize my order for my Nic boa's forever home. I've decided on a 4x2 cage, but I'm stuck on what height to go with.

Originally I intended to splurge for a taller 16" one, but after seeing the price difference compared to the 12" I'm hesitating. It's $600 CDN shipped for the 16" and a bit less than $500 for the 12", so a pretty hefty difference, due to shipping and having to go with a bigger RHP for the 16".

I'd appreciate some opinions on this? I really would've gone straight for the taller cage but $600 is a lot more than I'd anticipated. I know boas - especially locality ones - tend to climb, but could my guy be okay in a foot-tall cage? As much as I want the best for him I do have to watch my finances. He's a male Nic which shouldn't get too big.... I'd feel horrible if I were depriving him of a major natural behaviour, though, so if it's really necessary I suppose I can bite the bullet.

IMO a 12" height is too short for a 24" deep enclosure; it can make reaching into the back corners to clean rather difficult. I would get the taller one. That will also give you the option of putting a low hide or perch under the RHP so your boa can either be under the hide or behind the perch and warm, or it can bask on the hide/perch and be quite warm if needed.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

IMO a 12" height is too short for a 24" deep enclosure; it can make reaching into the back corners to clean rather difficult. I would get the taller one. That will also give you the option of putting a low hide or perch under the RHP so your boa can either be under the hide or behind the perch and warm, or it can bask on the hide/perch and be quite warm if needed.

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I kind of forgot about the cleaning aspect, that seems to be one of the major reasons the taller enclosures are suggested now that I think about it? I was intending to make some sort of perch too, I guess a 12" might be too short for that?

One of my problems is that this is my very first PVC cage purchase, so I've literally never seen one in person before - it's hard for me to picture what's practical or not.

I think the initial shock of seeing that price tag is wearing off a bit, I'm beginning to wrap my head around the $600 :D

Look at it this way - your boa could easily live for 20 years or even longer. When you work out the price difference over that long a time, it's a few cents a month of cost extra over your boa's lifespan for an enclosure that is easier for you to maintain.

I hear you on the cost - I am the queen of couponing and I have Ramen in my desk at work for lunches.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Look at it this way - your boa could easily live for 20 years or even longer. When you work out the price difference over that long a time, it's a few cents a month of cost extra over your boa's lifespan for an enclosure that is easier for you to maintain.

I hear you on the cost - I am the queen of couponing and I have Ramen in my desk at work for lunches.

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That's very true, it's much easier to think of it that way. Thanks a lot for your input :) I'll definitely be saving in other areas of my life for a while after this purchase, haha.