enclosure size question

Also, my male BCI is about 4 feet right now (1.5 years old). If the books are correct (and I hope they are!), he should top out around 5.5'. Right now I've got him in a 40-gallon tank. I went and got a 106 quart Sterilite tub thinking it would be bigger, but when I brought it home it was about the same size.

For those of you that have adult BCIs, what do you keep them in? He's okay right now, but I think the current enclosure will be too small in another year.

Very mellow dude, only gets aggressive when the rat comes out, otherwise a sweetheart.

Thanks,
Payton

For awhile I kept mine in a 55gal even when he reached 6ft.. then I switched him over to a 40gal breeder which he loved cause he could coil up looser, now I have him and my female in a custome tank I believe 5'long 2.5w and 2-2.5' t. and I'd say they don't mind that tank at all.

As far as books go you can never no. because of the fact that people power feed their animals to make them girthy-er faster and even longer, my male rtb is about 7ft and my boyfriend had him for about 5 yrs. the female we just got and she's about the same but i have this feeling shes younger....only because usually feamles are 2x bigger than males even just a few yrs apart.

What size is your inclosure now?

It's 2.5' x 1' x 1'. The Sterilite container I got for him is this one: http://www.sterilite.com/ProductDeta...ection=Storage

I thought that might be big enough for him as he gets into adulthood, but now I don't think so. I'd like find a tub that's big enough if possible. They're much cheaper and it's easier to control humidity.

I was thinking about this one: http://www.sterilite.com/ProductDeta...ection=Storage

I think the length and width are good, but it doesn't give him enough climbing space. Hmmmm . . .

Payton

Male BCIs can get up to 7ft at adulthood. A 4ft x 2ft x 1ft reptile cage would be good for most adult male BCIs.

Quiet honestly a sweater box would work, thats what alot of breeders use for the bigger guys... Also with RTB they don't need much climbing space like the balls do.... so I've heard. So don't quote me lol. I think you should be fine for a little while longer, do you handel him/her often? cause that will take [if any] stress off of your RTB so it can really stretch out and unbend those scales.

=]

Ball Pythons need climbing space eh? Sweaterbox for the bigger guys too? Wow....


To the OP:

A 5.5 ft male will be fine in a 4x2x1 boaphile or animal plastics cage for its entire life. Glass tanks are bad as they are terrible at holding temps/humidity not to mention any moderate sized boa can just straight up smash out of a glass tank. Glass is not going to hold up to a 5-6 ft hunk of muscle pushing on it.

The general rule of thumb for tanks or tubs in inches is the length + width = the max length of the snake.
So the 106 Quart one is 33in.+19in.=52in. which is about the max size of what you should have in their
And the other one is 44in.+19in.+63in. max snake
And the 44 inch one is shorter which means it is easier to heat.

Sorry pardon me, sweater box not like the ones you can shove under your bed. the tall kind. nvm, lol, and pythons needing climbing space mine never sit still they like to go all over my tank.

like the boxs you'd use for racks, thats why i was saying if he was looking at stuff that would make room instead of display.

Sorry VERYYYY bad wording.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Boo_Balls

and pythons needing climbing space mine never sit still they like to go all over my tank.

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OK. Don't want to hijack the thread. However, what type of python are you talking about? a ball python?
There is some conflicting information in this thread that could be confusing to people new to keeping Boas and Ball Pythons.

He said balls in a previous post which is wrong. Not saying that some balls won't enjoy some space to climb but they don't need it. They need 2 properly sized hides and do just fine in tubs. As I already said for boas, get a boaphile type cage for it. Again, do NOT use glass tanks for big constrictors as they can just smash out. That is what happened with the Burm that killed the little girl in Florida. It was an 8 ft animal which is boa size.

You asked this at the right season.

Go to your local walmart and look for these. They are 52 and a half inches long. The biggest tub made, period. They are used for putting fake christmas trees in and are only available at christmas time. They are called Iris VE175 Christmas Tree Boxes.

I recently bought a few myself and they are HUGE.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1.../IrisVE175.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScottyBoa

He said balls in a previous post which is wrong. Not saying that some balls won't enjoy some space to climb but they don't need it.

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Correct. If a ball is constantly "exploring" his cage it's not a happy ball python.

However my boas like to hang out in the open on a log. Just hoping some food will come along. ;) Vision cages do require some investment but they work great. Good luck with your BCI.

when i kept boas i only kept is custom cages.

below is 5x2x2
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...k/100_1664.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...k/100_1661.jpg

^That is probably the nicest melamine cage/setup I've ever seen. I'd NEVER want to attempt moving it though! Great idea with the pyrex baking dish as a bowl too, those things are HEAVY!

This cage was pretty heavy and i had it on easy gliders so it was easy to move by my self.

agree with jt, the VE's are great and since christmas is over they should hit sale soon. there shy a couple inches of a boaphile well the 209.00 version

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jt.

You asked this at the right season.

Go to your local walmart and look for these. They are 52 and a half inches long. The biggest tub made, period. They are used for putting fake christmas trees in and are only available at christmas time. They are called Iris VE175 Christmas Tree Boxes.

I recently bought a few myself and they are HUGE.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1.../IrisVE175.jpg

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I don't think a cage that large is needed for a MALE BCI. 4x2 is fine.