Housing Boa question

Hi guys,
Im looking into getting a boa and I am wondering what I can keep it in as an adult. I really don't want to have a massive glass cage or spend 500 dollars on an animal plastics cage either. What is the most cost effective way of keeping a boa when it becomes an adult? Can it be kept in a tub or a 40 gallon breeder? If you suggest a glass enclosure the biggest I want is a 40 gallon breeder so what boa could live in that as an adult. If it can live in a tub then I don't really care about the size. If you guys could suggest a boa that would be suitable for these size requirements that would be great. I REALLY want a male BCI but I am open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Alex

My Boaphile, with RHP, under belly heat, and keyed locks installed only costed $350 shipped...

A 40 gallon won't be big enough for a full size boa, you will need at least a 4 foot enclosure if not larger.

there are smaller boas like the rainbow/rosy/sand boas but they do not look like a BCC/BCI

It really depends on what type of boa you are looking into getting, however in general a 4x2x1 will be just about perfect for most males.

I really like the boaphiles cages myself, but most of the other PVC manufactures are great!

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Originally Posted by LGray23

My Boaphile, with RHP, under belly heat, and keyed locks installed only costed $350 shipped...

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I guess i could always save for it... How long would it take for my boa to get to a size where it would need that?

If you buy it as a baby, 1 1/2 or 2 yrs

I agree, I just ordered mine and I've had him for close to a year now, and he wasn't quite a baby when I got him.

I have a PVC tank, 4'x2'x16" high for $250 locally. Has the plexiglass window in front, right across the front with key locks.

You could get a Ford's boa and house it in a 20 gallon long. The boa would cost you the most. Or buy a 75 gallon aquarium ($50-$100 on craiglist) and cover the top with some saran for humidity (no heat on the saran wrap though). The second way you could get a much bigger boa - my 5 1/2 foot JCP does well in a 75 gallon tank.

With a potential lifespan of 40+ years the feeding bill alone will dwarf the cost of a $500 enclosure.. There are some island species of boa that exhibit dwarfism and so don't get large at all. Vin Russo works with several of these dwarf boas so I'd contact him if you want to find a possible fit for a 40 gallon breeder. Here are some links on his website to a couple that may fit the bill.

Both the crawl cay and caulkers cay max out around 4-5 feet and look like the more traditional boas if that's what you're looking for.
http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/boaco...erator&UID=112
http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/boaco...erator&UID=116

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Originally Posted by John1982

With a potential lifespan of 40+ years the feeding bill alone will dwarf the cost of a $500 enclosure..

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In my opinion, NO boa should ever be kept in something as small as a 40gal breeder tank. My adult female BP is in a 40gal breeder and it's even somewhat cramped for her.

www.pvccages.com is another place to find a good cage for a reasonable price. Jim's cages are really nice and well made. You can get a 4x2x1 pvc cage with a 40 watt RHP for heat for only $270 shipped. A 4x2x1 should be fine for the average sized male BCI and would be fine for any of the dwarf localities.

Another thought is buy a baby. A baby can start out in a 27-41qt tub or a 20gal long tank and grow into a good sized cage. You'd have plenty of time to save up for the cage it would need as an adult.

Be patient and save your money for the right enclosure and you and your boa will both be happier.

Does anyone have experience with BRB's? I was looking for a thicker bodied snake, but I really like BRB's as well.

Check with Paul at Moonlight Rainbow Boas. He's very helpful and informative.... :gj:

Edit: His username here is MoonlightBoas

I use an Iris holiday tree storage box for my 6'5" Dumeril's Boa. Its perfect. Clear body with green lid. Its about 52" X 22" Some stores have them cheep right now to try and make room. I just picked up another at Walmart for $20. It fits my hide, water bowl, and leaves her room to move. I use 11" heat tape under it and it works like a charm!

get a sand boa.theyre very docile and different-they dont get too big either

Contact Vin Russo or Gus at Rio Bravo...they'd definitely be able to help you out. Some boas will do fine in a 40-50 gallon breeder. You can also look into other boids such as rosy/rubber boas, sand boas, or those of the candoia or tropidophis genus. They are nice alternatives that can easily live in nothing larger than a 20 gallon tank/enclosure...some even in a 10 gallon enclosure:O.

There are many sizes of BCIs depending on locality. If you are referring to a Colombian, you need at least a 4x2x1 cage, which is what I use for adult male Colombians. You should be able to find one from a plastic cage vendor for around $200. I have been buying mine from Repti-racks lately because of their low cost. I then install an 80 watt RHP from Reptile Basics. Lastly, you will need a good digital thermostat to control the heat. It should cost you around $350 total.

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

In my opinion, NO boa should ever be kept in something as small as a 40gal breeder tank. My adult female BP is in a 40gal breeder and it's even somewhat cramped for her.

www.pvccages.com is another place to find a good cage for a reasonable price. Jim's cages are really nice and well made. You can get a 4x2x1 pvc cage with a 40 watt RHP for heat for only $270 shipped. A 4x2x1 should be fine for the average sized male BCI and would be fine for any of the dwarf localities.

Another thought is buy a baby. A baby can start out in a 27-41qt tub or a 20gal long tank and grow into a good sized cage. You'd have plenty of time to save up for the cage it would need as an adult.

Be patient and save your money for the right enclosure and you and your boa will both be happier.

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IMO, a 40 watt heat panel would not be sufficient in a 4x2x1 cage.

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

www.pvccages.com is another place to find a good cage for a reasonable price. Jim's cages are really nice and well made. You can get a 4x2x1 pvc cage with a 40 watt RHP for heat for only $270 shipped. A 4x2x1 should be fine for the average sized male BCI and would be fine for any of the dwarf localities.

.

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How long ago did you get your cage here? I was looking yesterday and unless I was just looking in the wrong place the cage alone was that price. I would def. pick one up if that's the true price.:confused:

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

IMO, a 40 watt heat panel would not be sufficient in a 4x2x1 cage.

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It all depends on the room ambient. I use 40 watt RHP in three of my 4x2x1 cages and they work phenomenally, however I also keep my room around 80 at all times.

Thank you everyone for the help. I have now switched to a jungle carpet or a BRB. I am going to babysit my friends BRB for a while so I am going to see how I like it before I buy one.

Thanks,
Alex