Dreaming of Red Tails...

I have begun quickly engulfed by the herp world. I would really really like to get a Red Tail. I don't feel that I am quite ready yet. And being a poor college student I don't quite get where you people come up with ~$450 for a nice enclosure for an adult :confused:

Someday BP.net... Someday

You can get a nice adult set up for 150 or so.

Dreaming for good reason. Boas are Awesome! Once you get out into the world and start making money go get yourself one.....or two :banana:

I am working full time right now, so maybe some time this summer...;)
I just don't want to be one of those people who jumps into it without having the finances to properly care for the animal.

Any recommendations for how big an enclosure should be for an adult? I have looked at the caresheet here and a couple other places and they vary a lot.

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Originally Posted by Cameron Lamb Exotics

You can get a nice adult set up for 150 or so.

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I have been poking around, where pray tell?

I've had my boy for over a year now, and he was probably already at least 6 months-1 year old when I got him, and I just now (a couple months ago) had to switch him from a tub to a proper enclosure. They grow much slower than ball pythons. I've since bought a little girl too. I bought my male a 4 foot Boaphile (will probably go with Animal Plastics next time...for my female's enclosure) and only spent about $350 I think? That's with keyed locks, flexwatt, and RHP installed. I had plenty of time to save up for it.

I always say I'm glad I got into balls before boas because boas take up way more space! But I love them so much, almost go as far to say I prefer them, but it's a tough call. My limit is 2...until they make babies :oops:

Will the 4' do when he reaches adult size?

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Originally Posted by mackynz

Will the 4' do when he reaches adult size?

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For an average male, yes. Females generally 6' is good. Unless they are monsters that's enough space. Some people go bigger but I don't think it's really necessary.

Here's my male Kahl strain albino, Humphry
http://i48.tinypic.com/9vbiv7.jpg

And my little sweetheart Leeloo, she's a motley 100% het albino
http://i46.tinypic.com/2kfxgy.jpg

They are addictive!

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Here's my male Kahl strain albino, Humphry
http://i48.tinypic.com/9vbiv7.jpg.

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I heart this

Leah, how many grams was your boa when you moved him to a 4' cage?? Just curious as to when I need to move my girl.

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Originally Posted by L.West

Leah, how many grams was your boa when you moved him to a 4' cage?? Just curious as to when I need to move my girl.

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I moved him probably at about 1,500 grams or so. That's really just eyeballing it though, because weighing him isn't the easiest task in the world lol.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Here's my male Kahl strain albino, Humphry
http://i48.tinypic.com/9vbiv7.jpg

And my little sweetheart Leeloo, she's a motley 100% het albino
http://i46.tinypic.com/2kfxgy.jpg

They are addictive!

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Ugh! You're killing me! If the cage comes with flexwatt will it already be wired/ready to plug in to a thermostat?

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Originally Posted by mackynz

Ugh! You're killing me! If the cage comes with flexwatt will it already be wired/ready to plug in to a thermostat?

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Yep ;)

How can you say no to those little mustaches :aww:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Yep ;)

How can you say no to those little mustaches :aww:

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:O I didn't even notice that. If only it wouldn't be cruel to put a small tophat and monocle on them....

Leah? If you don't mind my asking, why AP instead of Boaphile next time? I'm looking at 6x2 Boaphiles for my girls that I intend to order around the end of the year. (Hopefully Sept/Oct) Also, is it advisable to get flex watt and an RHP? I was just gonna get RHPs. Then again, I live in Florida and it's god awful hot year round...so having only one will probably work for me.

To the OP: Boas are AMAZING! I love mine to pieces. I agree that they are addictive though. You'll want more than one. ;) As to how college students afford expensive cages? They save for over a year for them. That's how. :P I'm looking at a $1500 price tag roughly, for two at once.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Yep ;)

How can you say no to those little mustaches :aww:

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side note: you know i can think of a time you said no to a mustache...

now back on topic, you could also build something as well. It all comes down to what you want and like. if you are dreaming of stuff already draw a few things ideas up and look into what matterial costs are. There are a ton of different matterials to use as well so dont limit your ideas.

BTW i am a fan of BCCs more specificly peruvian Redtails.
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/...2btr_cpweb.jpg

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Originally Posted by WarriorPrincess90

Leah? If you don't mind my asking, why AP instead of Boaphile next time? I'm looking at 6x2 Boaphiles for my girls that I intend to order around the end of the year. (Hopefully Sept/Oct) Also, is it advisable to get flex watt and an RHP? I was just gonna get RHPs. Then again, I live in Florida and it's god awful hot year round...so having only one will probably work for me.

To the OP: Boas are AMAZING! I love mine to pieces. I agree that they are addictive though. You'll want more than one. ;) As to how college students afford expensive cages? They save for over a year for them. That's how. :P I'm looking at a $1500 price tag roughly, for two at once.

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Well, other than Boaphile being dang near impossible to reach by phone, the few times I called with questions about the enclosure they weren't exactly...pleasant. They made me feel like I was asking stupid questions. Also, the flexwatt was not working when it arrived, I had to buy new clamps and re-wire it myself...which is no problem since I know what I'm doing...but if I had never done it before it would have been a fiasco. I've heard AP is just overall easier to work with. I love my boaphile, but I'd like to try AP next time.

As for the flexwatt and RHP, usually you don't need that, but I live in Massachusetts and my house can be kind of drafty in the winter so I got both. I only run the RHP during these months.

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Originally Posted by tcutting

side note: you know i can think of a time you said no to a mustache...

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Mustache on boyfriend NO
Adorable mustache on sweet little boa YES

I don't have to kiss my boa...or...well you get it lol :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Mustache on boyfriend NO
Adorable mustache on sweet little boa YES

I don't have to kiss my boa...or...well you get it lol :rolleyes:

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I just couldnt leave that joke unsaid. low hanging fruit. :D

:hijackd: hijacking done

I love my boa too. He could very well be my favorite snake too. Don't tell my bumblebee, lol. He is definately near the top of my list. He loves to come out. You open the tank and he crawls out. He doesn't like going back though. He will turn and crawl back up your arm. He is so mellow, he will just wrap his tail around my tank top strap or ponytail, and hang out while I fold laundry or read or whatever. When you can, I would highly recommend one. We got a male, so he would not take up quite as much space as a female.
http://img.tapatalk.com/aefdc662-f566-ce1d.jpg
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Where did you all acquire yours?

You can get a almost 6 foot critter condo type cage I think for about 156 plus tax at most reptile stores, It will be a little heavy but gets the job done.

Boas are what got me into the hobby. They were the first snake I was ever introduced to (due to my parents having two when I was a young child) and consequently, the first snake I ever owned.

Since I no longer have the space/means of keeping them, I've been known to go to the reptile store and hold their baby boas for as long as they will let me. Never encountered one I didn't love.

Mine came from my local herp shop. Allthough, someday I would like a sunglow, and will have to find someone to get one of those from.

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I got my male from a friend, who I believe got him from Peter Kahl. I got my female from a reptile expo. I can't remember their name :ohmygod:

I just bought a coral albino.....pics up tomorrow! Next to a purple retic, they are my dream snake.

I really have to agree with everyone. Once you get one, you will wonder how in the world you did without one. :rofl: I have two BCIs, a normal and an albino. They are both the most wonderful snakes and love to hang out with me. :D Getting Diablo back into his enclosure is sometimes a chore though...because he does NOT want to be put down once you pick him up, lol.

Got my jungle male from Mark Venhorst (produced by):

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...June920128.jpg

Got my hypo female from Dan Eby (produced by):

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...May2820128.jpg

Got my albino girl from an expo last November (unknown breeder):

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...y3120125-1.jpg

And my little Hog Island female from Chad Duggin (produced by):

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...June420125.jpg

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Originally Posted by Rob

I just bought a coral albino.....pics up tomorrow! Next to a purple retic, they are my dream snake.

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What!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek: Must see pics!!



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Originally Posted by Becca Granger

I really have to agree with everyone. Once you get one, you will wonder how in the world you did without one. :rofl: I have two BCIs, a normal and an albino. They are both the most wonderful snakes and love to hang out with me. :D Getting Diablo back into his enclosure is sometimes a chore though...because he does NOT want to be put down once you pick him up, lol.

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If you're putting him down into a cage from up above go tail first. If putting him up into a cage from down lower, try head first. It's how I deal with carpets and boas. Seems to be the easiest solution I've found. But, then again.... When a big boa really doesn't want to go back in their cage, praying is about all you can do:gj:

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Originally Posted by dart

If you're putting him down into a cage from up above go tail first. If putting him up into a cage from down lower, try head first. It's how I deal with carpets and boas. Seems to be the easiest solution I've found. But, then again.... When a big boa really doesn't want to go back in their cage, praying is about all you can do:gj:

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Great advice! :D I actually lower him down from above, and have tried putting him in tail first. Usually what happens is his head shoots up my arm (faster than lightning, I swear!) and he's halfway around my shoulder before I can catch him again. :rofl: I think the praying part is pretty accurate. lol! It does help to lower his tail in slowly, though, and once he feels his aspen beneath him, he feels more comfortable with letting me go and settling back down. ;)