One Size Fits All Cage?

Hello! I am a total newbie - both to the forum and to BPs. Man, this site is worth it's weight in gold!

My daughter (13) has been asking for a snake for ages and we are in the early homework phase of adding one to the family. It looks like a BP will be the way to go. While new to snakes, we do have a Bearded Dragon and a Tarantula, so we are familiar with the unique husbandry needs of various species.

I want to go with a AP or Boaphile pvc cage. We will probably purchase a BP in the 300 gram range when the time comes. My question is, can I go with a 36" or 48" cage from day 1? I would love to invest in 1 cage that will last the lifetime of the snake. I'm just concerned that a large cage may overwhelm a young BP and cause undue stress. I know Animal Plastics sells cages with removable dividers - would this be recommended? While I'm partial to the look of Boaphile cages, ultimately it's what's best for our new little buddy that determines our choice.

I would also prefer a little more height to the cage, for cleaning and handling ease, as well as aesthetics. I believe Boaphile can get 17"-18" in height...

Would love your input!

:welcome:
welcome!!!

props to you (and hopefully your daughter, too!) on doing your homework. ask any questions you may have in the process; we're here to help!

i have an AP T8 and i think dividing it would be suitable for a 300g beep, depending on how you set it up. a snake smaller than 300g might not feel secure, so it's good that you're looking at a more established animal.

honestly, you can use plastic tubs too. have you looked into those? i know they're not the prettiest, but they're super cheap plus so easy to set up and maintain.

Don't count out Reptile Basics as an option. They have identical dimension enclosures to T8 and T10 from Animal Plastics. Only potential drawback is they have fold down acrylic doors (actually the main reason I am getting mine from them). Animal Plastics and boaphile do offer dividers so you could theoretically partition off a T8 or 421d while your little one grows.

If you do go with AP cages call them up before ordering because they have a very nice LED option that is not on the site yet (it it $40).

I have had my spider in the same enclosure (36x17x15) since I got him as a baby and he did well from the start. It just now happens that I have broken down and decided to go with PVC and the fact I just finally got around to measuring him after years and found he is 46 inches long so yeah don't count out that even males can grow bigger than you expect.

I highly recommend a Boaphile 322D (36" x 24" x 17.5") - it is all you will ever need for a BP... clutter it up for young BPs/security. It's a terrific, light, solid cage... I ordered mine back in May and it was delivered in exactly 8-weeks. Get it with a radiant heat panel (RHP), they work great!

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../boaphile1.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vikingr

I highly recommend a Boaphile 322D (36" x 24" x 17.5") - it is all you will ever need for a BP... clutter it up for young BPs/security. It's a terrific, light, solid cage...

---

Yes, that is the one I was really leaning towards! Does it include LED lighting at all, or is that an option? Do you think 36" is adequate for a fully mature BP, or do you foresee one day moving up to 48"? Like I said, I would love to buy one and be done.

Thank you all for your recommendations. I have no doubt tubs are a preferred and inexpensive way to go, but for the kid we want something A) more secure, and B) more decorative. So the lesser of the evils seems to be pvc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilabeans

Yes, that is the one I was really leaning towards! Does it include LED lighting at all, or is that an option? Do you think 36" is adequate for a fully mature BP, or do you foresee one day moving up to 48"? Like I said, I would love to buy one and be done.

Thank you all for your recommendations. I have no doubt tubs are a preferred and inexpensive way to go, but for the kid we want something A) more secure, and B) more decorative. So the lesser of the evils seems to be pvc.

---

IMO, no, you do not need a 48" for mature Ball Pythons, I think it's a waste for a species that prefers to ball up and hide most of the time. If I bought a 48", I 'd get the divider and keep 2 BPs ;)

The 322d is actually quite large (it's 24" deep). I also find the height helps during maintenance.

For whatever reason, Jeff @ Boaphile doesn't do LEDS, so I had him install his florescent. I didn't like it at all, also, they use Westek under cabinet lights that don't have the best reviews, almost half 1-star...

https://www.amazon.com/FA201LBCC-20-.../dp/B000LF8XZI

So I removed the florescent and installed LEDs... this set (link below) is nice in black and comes with a remote to change light level and color (it provides a more subdued lighting, just the right amount)... there are less expensive sets available too (ebay).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For a nice finishing touch, I trimmed this LED molding to size to house the LEDs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You'll get differing opinions on what an adult BP needs, but I see no reason to put the animal in a 36" cage if you can afford or have room for a 48" one. If it is appropriately filled with hides, plants, tubes, branches, platforms, whatever, the snake will be able to feel secure when it wants to hide, and really will use what space you give it; just maybe not at the times of day when you're watching. I also prefer a taller cage; they'll climb on branches and upper platforms if they're provided, and it's good exercise and enrichment.
For a juvenile, a larger cage can still be fine as long as it's full of lots of hides, fake or real plants, branches, whatever other stuff. The snake should be able to get from one side to the other basically without being seen if desired.

If you get a youngster who has only lived in tubs, one way to ease the transition could be to get a tub and put it inside the larger cage, with a hole in the lid. Then the snake can take its time adjusting to the new environment and still retreat to the tub if it wants.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Coluber42

I see no reason to put the animal in a 36" cage if you can afford or have room for a 48" one. If it is appropriately filled with hides, plants, tubes, branches, platforms, whatever, the snake will be able to feel secure when it wants to hide, and really will use what space you give it; just maybe not at the times of day when you're watching. I also prefer a taller cage; they'll climb on branches and upper platforms if they're provided, and it's good exercise and enrichment.
For a juvenile, a larger cage can still be fine as long as it's full of lots of hides, fake or real plants, branches, whatever other stuff. The snake should be able to get from one side to the other basically without being seen if desired.

---

Yeah, I hear you. I shied away from 48" just because I thought it would be too cavernous and overwhelming for a young snake, but it sounds like it would be ok if I cozy it up with accessories and hides. I actually think I would have the space to accommodate a longer unit.

Question for AP & Boaphile owners...are the dimensions external or internal dimensions? Just so I measure my space out appropriately. For the taller enclosures, do you need an overhead heat source/CHE for ambient temps, or will the RHP be enough?

RHP essentially replaces a CHE for PVC enclosures. Think of it as the overhead equivalent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SDA

RHP essentially replaces a CHE for PVC enclosures. Think of it as the overhead equivalent.

---

Never seen this before. Where would it go?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Never seen this before. Where would it go?

---

Its attached to the inside top of PVC enclosures. Generally they are used as a hot side heat source (sometimes as the sole heat source).

No thermostat or probes needed?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

No thermostat or probes needed?

---

Most definitely. In fact its often recommended to use a decent thermostat like a herpstat to control one. I am going to have to play with the probe when I get mine because I want it kept at a low temp so most likely the probe will be just below to RHP

I have my adult male bp in the taller three foot boaphile right now, tbh the height is wasted on him and only makes heating more difficult. I moved him to the shorter four foot cage for a year or so and he got pickier about eating so I moved him back. I have the undercage and rph for heating and herpstats controlling it all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GoingPostal

I have my adult male bp in the taller three foot boaphile right now, tbh the height is wasted on him and only makes heating more difficult. I moved him to the shorter four foot cage for a year

---

The taller three foot you have - is that 15" or 18"? I'm thinking 15 might be just right...a little more headroom for exploring and ease of cleaning, but not so much as to be a waste.

Wow, that is an awesome enclosure! I love it, but I am afraid to look at the price tag.:O I want 4 of them, but I'm broke!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SDA

If you do go with AP cages call them up before ordering because they have a very nice LED option that is not on the site yet (it it $40).

---

Also seconding the LED options they are VERY nice, no hanging wires to worry about or naughty beeps climbing onto light fixtures. Probably one of the better investments I made. Totally worth the extra expense!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilabeans

Yeah, I hear you. I shied away from 48" just because I thought it would be too cavernous and overwhelming for a young snake, but it sounds like it would be ok if I cozy it up with accessories and hides. I actually think I would have the space to accommodate a longer unit.

Question for AP & Boaphile owners...are the dimensions external or internal dimensions? Just so I measure my space out appropriately.

---

I can only speak for AP cages but the dimensions listed are exterior. Interior is roughly 2 inches shorter depending on the model. For example my T12 (48x24x24) interior height is 22.5 inches.

If it helps I'm using a divider for my little beep who is 159 grams and he's doing absolutely great! Eats, sheds and poops/pees. Like Tttaylorrr said the key is making sure your bp feels secure by having plenty of cover and minimal open floor space. Just remember the biggest threat to a bp is being attacked from above and being exposed in the open with no shelter. So make their travel path from point A to point B feel like a safe one.

For my cage I sectioned off various areas to appear smaller and more cramped with lots of clutter. He also has 5 hides. It's more work but I have no doubt a 300 gram bp will do well in a divided 48 long cage when set right.