Thinking about red tails

I'm thinking about getting a baby( I prefer a baby so I can learn their habits while they cant hurt me)male red tailed boa for Christmas. I know a male can get up to 10 ft long and eat rats or rabbits and I'm fine with that. I have 2 other people with me who like snakes and I know how to detatch a snake from myself.
Are there any tubs big enough for an adult red tail? I like tubs over tanks because they're lighter, easier to clean, and much cheaper. I heard christmas tree boxes are big enough.

I heard of keeping BCIs in those Christmas Tree Tubs up until they get too big, personally though I would stick him in something like a Boaphile or Vision cage with radiant heat panels. A male (unless he gets huge) should be fine in a 4' cage, though a 6' cage would be ideal (more room to stretch out).

Only thing about those is the expence. They are like 400+

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Originally Posted by Kittycatpenut

Only thing about those is the expence. They are like 400+

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Have any builders in your family? You can build a nice cage for ~$100, it's been done and on redtailboa net there's a tutorial on actually making a nice cage.

Remember, a large cage that he can be in comfortably is well worth the money: those kind of cages are ideal for adult boas. I wouldn't cut corners with snake caging and heating: it's just the expense of having a larger snake.

If you are considering a RTB, you need to consider the cage it'll need as an adult. You could save for a cage. If you're getting a baby, it'll be a long time before a 4' cage is necessary. In my opinion, there is no tub that will be big enough for an adult RTB (either BCI or BCC). It is unfair to a very intelligent snake. Jeff Ronne, the Boaphile, talks about this on his website and it's not because he sells cages - he has racks with tubs too and they can also be pricey. But it is good advice....

A BCI is not a "true" red tail boa (those are BCC) and the BCIs do not get as large. A male common columbian boa (BCI) will be around 6 feet as an adult - much more managable. I still believe it should have a 4' cage as an adult, but 10' is not realistic for a male BCI. A BCC will be bigger, but a male BCC will be around 8-9 feet and the females 10-12. BCIs will average 5-7 for males and 7-9 for females (and that's being generous, lol). There are of course larger and/or smaller specimens of either species, but these are rough averages.

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

If you are considering a RTB, you need to consider the cage it'll need as an adult. You could save for a cage. If you're getting a baby, it'll be a long time before a 4' cage is necessary. In my opinion, there is no tub that will be big enough for an adult RTB (either BCI or BCC). It is unfair to a very intelligent snake. Jeff Ronne, the Boaphile, talks about this on his website and it's not because he sells cages - he has racks with tubs too and they can also be pricey. But it is good advice....

A BCI is not a "true" red tail boa (those are BCC) and the BCIs do not get as large. A male common columbian boa (BCI) will be around 6 feet as an adult - much more managable. I still believe it should have a 4' cage as an adult, but 10' is not realistic for a male BCI. A BCC will be bigger, but a male BCC will be around 8-9 feet and the females 10-12. BCIs will average 5-7 for males and 7-9 for females (and that's being generous, lol). There are of course larger and/or smaller specimens of either species, but these are rough averages.

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Good advice and info :gj:

Though I (just speaking for myself) wouldn't ever put a BCI Colombian male in something as big as a 10' cage (or even a female) because it would be a huge pain to keep temps regulated correctly in that size of a cage. 4' for an average adult male BCI, and 6' for an average female would be what I would personally recommend.

Also keep in mind the costs of feeding him when he's older: I don't think he would need to be on bunnies but large rats/jumbo rats do add up in costs.

Unfortunatly, no builders or even tools. We just moved and the mom got all the tools. Thinking about it, Ill probably get a male bcc or female bci. Time to start saving my lunch money. Or I could tell my dad that he wouldnt owe me 346$ anymore. Or Ill say its my only christmas present. When its big enough to be eating alot of rats ill just get a bulk order of em and keep them in the freezer. Already have mice in there for the bp.

^ Also food for thought: it sounds like you're younger and are living at home (just ASSuming from your post, please disregard if I'm way off base here) but here's this: will you be able to keep/afford a large adult boa somewhere when you move out and have your own place? If you go to college will you need to stay in the dorms where snakes usually arn't allowed (especially bigger ones)? Keeping a ball is one thing, a large adult boa is another.

For a male BCC/female BCI definately bet on needing at least a 6' cage.

Yes, I live at home(14 years old). Im getting a job asap(stupid child labor laws) and im going to college but im not going to be staying in a dorm because I live within 10 miles from NC state.
Im going to be in college for quite a while because I want to be a herp vet.

Have you looked into any of the smaller boa species?

Nah I want a snake on the larger side of 6-10 ft as an adult.

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

Good advice and info :gj:

Though I (just speaking for myself) wouldn't ever put a BCI Colombian male in something as big as a 10' cage (or even a female) because it would be a huge pain to keep temps regulated correctly in that size of a cage. 4' for an average adult male BCI, and 6' for an average female would be what I would personally recommend.

Also keep in mind the costs of feeding him when he's older: I don't think he would need to be on bunnies but large rats/jumbo rats do add up in costs.

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Oh! I didn't mean the cage was 10ft! I meant that it was not realistic for the snake to reach 10ft in length! LoL! :rofl:

4' cages are perfect for adult male BCIs and 4-6' is good for females depending on their adult size. BCCs get bigger though so a minimum 6' cage is required for them.

To the OP, Daybreaker is right - if you're looking at a male BCC or female BCI, count on needing that 6' cage for it when it grows up. No tub I know of would possibly be big enough. These are active, intelligent snakes and they need the room. :gj:

Eh, I was just wondering if such a thing existed. After looking at finances I dont think Christmas is going to happen. Have to wait until my dads bonus in March, so now I have more time to save up for a nice Boaphile. Is there any other company that makes cages of suitable sizes for cheaper? Preferably plastic, a 150+ gallon aquarium is quite unmanageable.

Just wanted to chime in with some of my experience: When/if you do end up getting a boa, when it nears the 6' mark, you will need someone else handy to get that snake off you. I can't tell you how many times my girl has looped herself around and held on for dear life as two of us try to pry her off; you think you've finally got them and then you realize their tail's back around your arm. :P

Also, we built our own tank-thing, and granted my boyfriend DID embellish a little and throw in some more expensive touches, but the basic design is really easy; you might try asking around with friends and their families to see if anybody is carpenter-inclined and can help you out. If not, you'll be hard-pressed to find a pre-built aquarium that can fit an adult. Your best bet if you're getting a baby anyway is to just go with the big tubs and save up.

When it comes to buying mice/rats, buy from shows and in bulk. You save a LOT of money buying 20+ rats a bag at shows than buying them one at a time from pet stores. The only downside: your parents might be grossed out at the idea of a freezer-full of dead rodents. :P

Im going to the july columbia,sc repticon for my b day. Ill probably pick up a couple of bps and I could grab a whole bunch of rats. Good thing I live with just my dad and sister(divorce) cause they never use the freezer. The only things in it now are frozen peas(for me, I eat them straight out of the bag) and mice.

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Originally Posted by Kittycatpenut

I'm thinking about getting a baby( I prefer a baby so I can learn their habits while they cant hurt me)male red tailed boa for Christmas. I know a male can get up to 10 ft long and eat rats or rabbits and I'm fine with that. I have 2 other people with me who like snakes and I know how to detatch a snake from myself.
Are there any tubs big enough for an adult red tail? I like tubs over tanks because they're lighter, easier to clean, and much cheaper. I heard christmas tree boxes are big enough.

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Those Christmas tree tubs are usually the VE-175. They measure approximately 53"L X 21"W X 14"H. They have almost the same floor space as a 4 X 2 cage. You can order them online, but the cost of shipping is about the same as the price of the tub. That is why it is usually better to wait until Christmas, when stores actually carry them.

I can't get the VE-175's here. The "Christmas tree" tubs our Wal-mart has are 3ft x 18in which isn't big enough. I WISH we could find the VE-175's, but the stores don't carry them in my town - even at Christmas. :sigh2:

I like the 48x12 from PVC Cages. You can order it unassembled and do that yourself and add heat (radient heat panel, which is awesome) all for under $300 and Jim's prices include shipping.

But you won't need that size cage for a baby!!! Start with small tubs (20gal long size is perfect for a baby's first year!) and go up as needed til your baby is about 3-4 feet long and then move him into his permanent adult-sized cage. :gj:

Of course, if you can find the VE-175's that would be the cheaper way to go. But you still don't need it yet if you're getting a baby! You will have plenty of time to decide what you want and how to save up for it if necessary. I still like the PVC cages because I can see my animals, but that's just me! ;)