What are actual acceptable dimensions for a BCI enclosure?

I have been reading up on this a lot, but information on the internet is inconsistent or sometimes incomplete.

Some places say "length plus width should equal the boa's adult size," for instance. Other places say length by itself should equal the boa's size, then about 2 feet of width (or depth). Other places don't even differentiate between males and females, and just give one categorical size for all adult boas.

I'm planning to get a male BCI who is still pretty young, and I may have a very good deal on an enclosure that is something like 4' x 2' x 1.5'. Male boas evidently grow to be something like 4 to 6 feet long (the data on this is also not very consistent), so I'm wondering if this would be sufficient for a comfortable lifetime or if the boa is going to eventually be quite uncomfortable.

I believe that a 4x2x1 is a minimum sized enclosure you'll need for a male BCI so your cage should be fine. A 4x2x2, 48x30x18, or 6x2x2 would work very well too.

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Originally Posted by Kinstrome

I have been reading up on this a lot, but information on the internet is inconsistent or sometimes incomplete.

Some places say "length plus width should equal the boa's adult size," for instance. Other places say length by itself should equal the boa's size, then about 2 feet of width (or depth). Other places don't even differentiate between males and females, and just give one categorical size for all adult boas.

I'm planning to get a male BCI who is still pretty young, and I may have a very good deal on an enclosure that is something like 4' x 2' x 1.5'. Male boas evidently grow to be something like 4 to 6 feet long (the data on this is also not very consistent), so I'm wondering if this would be sufficient for a comfortable lifetime or if the boa is going to eventually be quite uncomfortable.

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I think everything is so inconsistent is because, the common boa or bci isn’t just one locale species they have been bred so much that thier really Isn’t a set in stone size. It all depends on the specific snakes genetics. One snake could max out at 5 but another one could max out at 8 and they both be “bci” I honestly don’t like how it works cause it seems like any snake that isn’t a bc or other species gets lumped into the bci category so it really just depends on the snake you purchase. Do others agree with this? I think the really only common thing that is known across the board. Is they rarely ever get over 10’ but snakes never stop growing their entire life so depending on conditions and feeding and genetics it can happen but it’s rare. So my advice would be prepared for a 10’ snake. But know that it probably will never actually get to that size.


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I haven't kept boas, but 4x2x2 seems small to me for an adult boa, even a male on the smaller side. If you can't go bigger in floor space, you can always at least go bigger in height and put in platforms and other climbing structures to make the best use of the height.

If you aren't sure or aren't ready for now and your boa is still small, go with the cage you can get a deal on now and get something bigger later. If you get the 4x2 for a good price, you probably will be able to sell it for not too much less than you paid.

My opinion is always going to be bigger the better. Or improvising and doing a 4x2 with a 2x2 attached to it - boaphile makes solid walled pieces that you could use as a hide/nesting site.

I will be doing 6x2x2 for everyone once they get to size, but I want to make sure they don't need bigger.

Also, if you do bare minimums, I feel the snake should be allowed to stretch a little more often outside of the enclosure.

Shoot, there are breeders who will keep adult female BCIs in a 4x2x1......I think a cage that size is more than sufficient for a male.

I know more than one Burm breeder who also keeps their males in a 4x2x1....but that's kind of pushing it in my opinion. Burm is a big animal.

That terrestrial cage will be fine.[IMG] https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...8/img_1393.jpg[/IMG]

He's 12 years old 7' Hypo BCI his cage size is 48Lx24wx15H

What are you guys using for hides and water dishes in a 4x2xY for an adult boa?

I use the jumbo Reptile Basic hides for Caesar who is 8+ feet and also for Rosey who is 7 feet and Vicky who is 6 feet. For water bowls, i just use the dog dishes from Tractor Supply. They are like 5 qts or something.

As for cages, the biggest you can afford and place is what you want to shoot for. You can never go too big. I personally wouldnt go smaller than a 6 foot cage for an adult boa but that is just me. There are many people who have kept adult boas in 4 foot cages.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I use the jumbo Reptile Basic hides for Caesar who is 8+ feet and also for Rosey who is 7 feet and Vicky who is 6 feet. For water bowls, i just use the dog dishes from Tractor Supply. They are like 5 qts or something.

As for cages, the biggest you can afford and place is what you want to shoot for. You can never go too big. I personally wouldnt go smaller than a 6 foot cage for an adult boa but that is just me. There are many people who have kept adult boas in 4 foot cages.

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The reptile basic jumbo hides have been out of stock for atleast 2 weeks since I looked last


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Originally Posted by Direpython

The reptile basic jumbo hides have been out of stock for atleast 2 weeks since I looked last


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Yeah they’re always out of stock on those. There’s a few places selling knock off RBI hides. My jumbo hides are knock offs and not too shabby, though I’ve never had brand name RBI jumbo hides so I can’t say how well they compare to the real deal


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Yeah they’re always out of stock on those. There’s a few places selling knock off RBI hides. My jumbo hides are knock offs and not too shabby, though I’ve never had brand name RBI jumbo hides so I can’t say how well they compare to the real deal


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Could you post a link to the ones you have I can’t ever find anything on amazon that would be big enough


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Originally Posted by Direpython

Could you post a link to the ones you have I can’t ever find anything on amazon that would be big enough


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http://www.snakemuseum.com/reptile-h...ox-jm-rbi.html


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

http://www.snakemuseum.com/reptile-h...ox-jm-rbi.html


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That actually won’t work my aquarium is 48x18 the hole is on the wrong side :-(


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Thanks for the info. I appreciate all the details, as this is a big decision for me to make.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/2iIo13l.jpg

This is a picture of the enclosure I'm strongly considering buying. It's a good $450, but it includes absolutely everything in the photograph.

I have a BP already that lives in a not-quite-perfect terrarium of mine, so I'm already planning on moving her from it to somewhere more adequate. It would be convenient if I bought my second snake (the BCI) and had both of them in one, compact container.

Basically, I'm just posting this picture to see if it triggers anyone's "yeah, that's not going to cut it" instincts.

I don't use hides for adults.

Pangea also sells hides, their XL is the same size as Reptile Basics (you can even buy them on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pangea-Reptil...8325316&sr=8-1 )
However I also do not use hides for my adult boas generally. Sometimes I'll get a box (or even large soda box) and give that to them to change things up (and once soiled, just throw it away). I'll also use large diameter poster/shipping tubes to give them something to explore and crawl around and 'hide' in. In the past I've even just thrown in an old bed sheet for them to crawl under and mess with. Most adult boas don't care about hiding.

4x2x12-15 is fine for an adult boa. I keep my largest adult females in 4x2x2 and they do fine. I do let them out for exercise and quality time as well. Of course bigger is always better if you want to and can.
:)

My female is about 7’ and does still like a hide on occasion. I use either a dish pan or new cat litter box and cut a hole in the side. My girl will also get under her water dish (tip-proof dog bowl with the cut out hand holds on the bottom edge). She still thinks she fits, but the entire bowl is about an inch and a half off the floor. As for cage size, I currently have her in a 8’x30”x18” cage that was previously used by my burm. Prior to that she was in a 8’x30”x12” cage, the same as my 7’ adult male boa prior to his passing. I personally wouldn’t put an adult boa in less than a 6’ cage. While they can do well in a 4’x2’ cage, mine definitely uses all of the available space in her cage.

While i agree, most large boas dont 'need' hides, i generally offer them anyways. I know Rosey my 7' girl uses her cool side one when she is shedding or just sleeping during the day sometimes. Vicky my 6' girls still loves her cool side hide and actually sits on top of it or half inside it regularly. And Caesar the 8' retic LOVES his hide to sleep in lol.

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Originally Posted by KevinK

Shoot, there are breeders who will keep adult female BCIs in a 4x2x1......I think a cage that size is more than sufficient for a male.

I know more than one Burm breeder who also keeps their males in a 4x2x1....but that's kind of pushing it in my opinion. Burm is a big animal.

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Breeders have a different reality because they tend to house several animals and need to use space efficiently. While a cage that is 4 x 2 x 1 is something you can do, I think it completely curbs many of the natural behaviors that boa constrictors display. Kev, not a knock on you here, I just want people to realize that following what a breeder does isn't always necessary or in many cases, the best option.

I have my 7 foot male in a 4' x 30" x 20". I wish I went the full 24" tall, but there's that space requirement I mentioned above comparing keepers to breeders. I too have limitations so I did the best I could for the snake and my room.

Although classified as terrestrial, I feel they (boa constrictors) are semi arboreal. There are a great many videos, and wild sightings of boa constrictors high up in the canopy. It is a natural behavior of BCs to climb, and I try to provide that option.

I also provide 2 hides and they are utilized daily.

Each situation is different, and we all have limitations. Do the best you can with your available space and don't put yourself out financially.

I think bigger is better, but I keep only 4 snakes. I enjoy watching the full spectrum of their natural behaviors, so I provide as many options as I can.

This, is what I enjoy seeing every night!
https://i.imgur.com/vU2wrfH.jpg

Consider a cage 30" deep is much easier to reach in for maintenance when you have some ceiling space.

Not meaning to derail from the topic, but does anyone know a reliable business / site for buying specific boas? I'm really interested in a snow boa, but I only know one site that aggregates sellers in such a large amount, and that's Morph Market. A deal fell through and I don't have any boa within my price range available on that site now.

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Originally Posted by Kinstrome

Not meaning to derail from the topic, but does anyone know a reliable business / site for buying specific boas? I'm really interested in a snow boa, but I only know one site that aggregates sellers in such a large amount, and that's Morph Market. A deal fell through and I don't have any boa within my price range available on that site now.

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I would check out Matt Cook. He works with sunglows/albinos a lot. I was actually going to get a moonglow from him but his males and females didnt cooperate this year. You can also check out Diem Marie but I'm not sure if she is working with snow stuff.