A20, A25, T25, or T35 for SD retics

My two SD retics are getting to the age I have a good idea what size they will end up. So now is the time to start shopping for their final enclosure. The male is 3yo and right at 5'. The female is 2yo and just under 6'.

I'm vending a show this coming weekend and had planned to talk to another vendor about doing 2 custom 6'lx2'wx3'h enclosures. That other vendor canceled so looks like I'm stuck with possibly ordering from animal plastics. I have no limit on length or width but do have a bulkhead just above 6' so the total height can't be above that. I wanted the 6' length so they could stretch out on the floor and the 3' height for many arboreal options. These will be in my reptile room which is kept 75-80 ambient. They will also have rhp's.

Which would you choose? Or any other manufacturer options with length and height?

1. A20-48x24x36
2. A25-48x24x48
3. T25-72x30x18
4. T35-72x36x24

I like the T35. If you don't do a custom the T35 will last your lifetime.

What show are you doing?

All the best

I vote T25. Wide enough, not too deep.

Male would likely be fine in a 4' enclosure of the dimensions you've listed and would fare well in something larger no doubt if given areas for seclusion/security. Female would also do fine in a T25 but may use more height if provided with perches, shelves, etc.

I’m always a fan of the largest enclosure you can manage...especially since they will likely be out for “play time” less and less as they grow ;) A T35 would be a killer display setup and they will definitely use the extra height. Whatever you choose, we expect photos!


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T25. Cleaning a pile of crap out of the back of a 36" deep enclosure is a chore. Much easier with a 30" enclosure and it still gives your snake plenty of room.

I agree - that either a T25 or a T35 should be large enough for adult female Super dwarfs or high percentage super dwarf crosses to last their life time . Although they are semi-arboreal - 18 " is okay, but a 24" tall would be even better, especially if you are planning on adding a climbing shelf.

I like the T25 best. The T50 is nice choice at 84x30x18 and the T60 is another good option at 96x30x18.

I'm starting to learn more towards the T20 over the T25 since it's 6" taller. I really wish there was a 3' height option.

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Originally Posted by wnateg

I vote T25. Wide enough, not too deep.

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+1https://alreskha.xyz/assets/17/o.png

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Originally Posted by 67temp

I'm starting to learn more towards the T20 over the T25 since it's 6" taller. I really wish there was a 3' height option.

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Could get two T25s and cut a pass through between the floor and ceiling a-la Reinz...? Would be pricey but pretty damn cool
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...36#post2637536


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Originally Posted by 67temp

I'm starting to learn more towards the T20 over the T25 since it's 6" taller. I really wish there was a 3' height option.

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They will make it custom. Won't even add much time to the wait. It's gonna be a long wait anyway.


Good luck!

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Originally Posted by 303_enfield

They will make it custom. Won't even add much time to the wait. It's gonna be a long wait anyway.


Good luck!

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They may or they may not. Last custom thing I requested was two 4’ cages with a pass through on two ends so I could connect to make a modular 8’. They straight up told me no due to the volume of orders and that was 2yrs ago when their lead time was like 6-8weeks shorter. Still love their products though and will order more eventually when needed.


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IF you can go custom, I'd do it in a heartbeat!

I was able to customize probably one of the last Pro-Line cages ever built by Constrictors NW.

6 feet wide is perfect and 30 inches deep was perfect. The height of the cage was 2 feet tall, and I would have liked another foot honestly.

My former SD X Dwarf male was by far the most arboreal snake I've ever owned. The new Bredli is challenging the old retic for that most arboreal title these days but the retic was always perched even at 9 feet in length.

https://i.imgur.com/xtq1KCQ.jpg

Cleaning is easier with a taller unit, and getting a feisty animal out of something a little taller can be easier.

If you plan on using perches that span the cage, I'd go for something as tall as you can get within reason

If you are not using perches at all and are not setting up climbing options, a slightly shorter cage is probably fine.

This guy was extremely active and used every inch of space provided.
https://i.imgur.com/THJRwoY.jpg

A taller cage can make certain cleaning and maintenance procedures easier as well.

It took a bit of effort, but I was able to replace an LED light strip and staple it to the ceiling because the cage was tall enough for me to get into.
https://i.imgur.com/6Km3KxA.jpg

Pick what best for you and your snake. Your crew seems to be smaller than what I had and that is a very good thing if you want a smaller unit.

I'd still say a 2 foot minimum ceiling is best.

The left cage is the 6 footer next to the 4 footers.

The bottom 4 foot cage is 30 inches deep and 20 inches tall.

The middle 4 footer is 2 feet tall and 2 feet deep.

The top is 14 inches tall and 2 feet deep.
https://i.imgur.com/JvExtRM.jpg

Here is a thought - why not go DIY. That way you can custom build the cage to your personal specs, without having to pay more than you need to and still have to wait for several months to get the cage. Often times a DIY cage will save about $150 or more on a 6' long PVC or melamine cage, when compared with some well known cage manufactures.

If fact this is the option I am seriously considering myself for my super dwarf retics, and boas when they get large enough.

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Originally Posted by Krj2501

Here is a thought - why not go DIY. That way you can custom build the cage to your personal specs, without having to pay more than you need to and still have to wait for several months to get the cage. Often times a DIY cage will save about $150 or more on a 6' long PVC or melamine cage, when compared with some well known cage manufactures.

If fact this is the option I am seriously considering myself for my super dwarf retics, and boas when they get large enough.

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I have the tools and can easily haul the materials. If I was outfitting an entire room with cages I would make them. For one or two cages it just makes more sense to let someone else with a CNC do a cleaner more professional job. Not to mention the learning curve of what works and doesn't in the design and build aspect. I don't want an animal escaping or getting hurt because the door had some play or a rough edge somewhere.

Unpopular Opinion:


From the choices you listed, I would go with the A25, smaller retics, especially Super Dwarves tend to be semi/mostly-arboreal, I would personally opt for the extra height to provide your retics with more climbing opportunities.

I ended up ordering something from AP I don't think was mentioned in this thread. As the saying goes buy once, cry once ...... Except I bought two so double the :tears: :tears:

Looks like the lead times are about 4-5 months still. So now the waiting game starts.

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Originally Posted by 67temp

I ended up ordering something from AP I don't think was mentioned in this thread...

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My interest is piqued. Whatchya end up ordering?

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

My interest is piqued. Whatchya end up ordering?

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(2) A35'S 72"x24"x48" in black with sliding glass doors, locks, basking shelf, and heat panel installation. I still need to order the heat panels though. Surprising the A35 was cheaper than the T35.

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Originally Posted by 67temp

(2) A35'S 72"x24"x48" in black with sliding glass doors, locks, basking shelf, and heat panel installation. I still need to order the heat panels though. Surprising the A35 was cheaper than the T35.

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That's going to be great!

I'm a big believer in semi arboreal snakes being more inclined to spend time in the canopy than most folks think.

Anything with true SD blood will exhibit arboreal behaviors, as will the mainland retics. The SD species are smaller for a reason however. Island species of retics and island boas have evolved to make best of their environments. Many of the smaller islands don't have large prey items to support large animals.

The snakes in these areas rely on some of the small, native animals inhabiting the island but they also depend on the seasonal migration of birds.

Like I said above, my male, Dwarf x SD x mainland was the most arboreal snake I've ever owned. He may lose the title to the Bredli I have now, but he was always perched so in order for the Bredli to win or break even, he'll have to be perched just as frequently when he's hit 6-8 feet.

I think you'll really see a benefit from the cage you picked and I'm looking forward to checking it out!

My male 100% sd is more active than my 50% female. He typically gets a 20 minutes of roaming time every other day. Most days he is happy just to have his enclosure open with his head on the litter dam or he'll climb to the top of the stack of cages. During a recent vet visit the vet mentioned that my boy would really benefit from a taller enclosure than his current 1' height since the SD's are way more arboreal than mainlands.

My current plans for setting up the new enclosures once they come in will be the basking shelf at 2' from the floor. One or two black rbi hides attached to the shelf. 2 hides and a water bowel on the floor. At 1' from the floor will be a pass through wire shelf for arboreal hunting. My carpets seem to love these. At the 3' height will be the standard static perch of a fence post 6" off the back wall. 6" from the door at the same 3' height will be a non static perch of a piece of 1-1/2" rope. I also plan on doing two 3" vents in the enclosure with one of them having a small fan set on a timer to help duplicate an insular breeze.