Enclosure Question: Height vs Depth

I am purchasing a new enclosure for my BCI from Animal Plastics, and I am torn between two, those being the T20 (6'x2'x2') and the T25 (6'x30"x18"). The boa is about 2 years old (unsure on the exact age) and roughly 5 ft long, but she is definitely still growing. I want to give her a 6 ft cage minimum, but I am unsure if I should put extra height or depth. I have read that the 18 in height may be easier to control humidity in, and that depth is more important than height, but I feel a 24 in would allow more use for climbing, as 18 doesnt feel like much to me. I also feel this would be more convenient for me, as I already have another animal in a T10 (4x2x2) and using the T20 would make stacking a little more convenient (to avoid bowing or warping with a T25 I would have to put a few two by fours in between them) but I'm willing to forego convenience if more floor space and less height would be better for my boa. Just want other people's opinions on what I should do!

My vote would be for the T20 in this comparison. The wider floor space is better for the snake stretching out fully and 2ft of height is plenty of space for the boa to take advantage of with the proper decor. Also the ability to stack enclosures are always a plus in my book.

I'd vote for the T20 also. 2' high isn't that high for a large-bodied snake with some decor, & it's easier to reach in for cleaning too.

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Originally Posted by RickySRonin

My vote would be for the T20 in this comparison. The wider floor space is better for the snake stretching out fully and 2ft of height is plenty of space for the boa to take advantage of with the proper decor. Also the ability to stack enclosures are always a plus in my book.

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Well, the T25 has the wider floor space compared to the T20, but would the height still make that your choice?

I'd also go for the T20. For a snake her size, 18" just isn't that tall and given the opportunity and a setup that fits their needs, they really seem to appreciate some vertical space. Honestly I'd have them add a basking shelf too - I've got snakes of widely varying body type and temperament, and basking shelves are almost universally popular with them.

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Originally Posted by Caitlin

I'd also go for the T20. For a snake her size, 18" just isn't that tall and given the opportunity and a setup that fits their needs, they really seem to appreciate some vertical space. Honestly I'd have them add a basking shelf too - I've got snakes of widely varying body type and temperament, and basking shelves are almost universally popular with them.

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Was definitely going to add the shelf no matter what! You may have a point about that, I supposed being 5 ft, 18 in is a bit small for her. It's so bizarre, she doesn't seem that long when she's all curled up, especially considering she's still pretty thin bodied and small headed!

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Originally Posted by BoaCow

Well, the T25 has the wider floor space compared to the T20, but would the height still make that your choice?

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Yes even though the T25 has the wider floor space compared to the T20, that 18inch height kinda knocks down the value in my opinion. For a boa you're better off with that added height, for a mainly terrestrial species of snake you'd benefit more from the wider floor space.

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Originally Posted by RickySRonin

Yes even though the T25 has the wider floor space compared to the T20, that 18inch height kinda knocks down the value in my opinion. For a boa you're better off with that added height, for a mainly terrestrial species of snake you'd benefit more from the wider floor space.

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Interesting, am definitely leaning towards it now! What about humidity? I read that could be an issue as well with a cage that tall.

If you are using a RHP for heat then go with the T25 as it does a better job heating the floor of an 18" high enclosure versus a 24" high enclosure.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

If you are using a RHP for heat then go with the T25 as it does a better job heating the floor of an 18" high enclosure versus a 24" high enclosure.

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I was planning on a RHP as it seemed the most efficient way to heat the cage, so I suppose that does make sense. Would there be any way to help a RHP along heating up the bottom of a 24" if I go that route? I am leaning towards the T20 now but you do make a good point about heating, so I want to make sure I pick the best one I can.

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Originally Posted by BoaCow

Interesting, am definitely leaning towards it now! What about humidity? I read that could be an issue as well with a cage that tall.

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I suppose it depends how well you think you can control humidity and how much humidity is naturally in your household. For me, my humidity is around ~30 up to 40/50 on a rainy day so bumping up humidity to 50/60/70 is very feasible with my setups.

It's true the bigger height, the more you have to adjust, but PVCs are great for humidity in general and I found using an appropriate sized water bowl near the heat source help immensely with raising it. Then if it's too much you can move the water bowl further away.

I don't know what substrate you planned on using, but in my experience Reptichip is solid for humidity. You also have the option of misting once or twice a day on top of that, which an appropriate waterproof RHP will help as well with the moisture evaporating off it.

For your heating concerns, that also depends how hot you keep your room/ house. PVCs hold heat well so depending on the wattage of the RHP it could be enough for you not to worry about it. I keep my house around 65/70 so adding an appropriate heat source to an enclosure is very feasible to get desired temps. But you also can add a UTH along with the RHP if you feel the need to do so. Some just like using a standalone RHP.

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Originally Posted by BoaCow

I was planning on a RHP as it seemed the most efficient way to heat the cage, so I suppose that does make sense. Would there be any way to help a RHP along heating up the bottom of a 24" if I go that route? I am leaning towards the T20 now but you do make a good point about heating, so I want to make sure I pick the best one I can.

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As already suggested, adding a UTH would be the option I'd choose to make sure the 'floor' wasn't too chilly. Either enclosure will work, each has pro's & con's.

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Originally Posted by RickySRonin

I suppose it depends how well you think you can control humidity and how much humidity is naturally in your household. For me, my humidity is around ~30 up to 40/50 on a rainy day so bumping up humidity to 50/60/70 is very feasible with my setups.

It's true the bigger height, the more you have to adjust, but PVCs are great for humidity in general and I found using an appropriate sized water bowl near the heat source help immensely with raising it. Then if it's too much you can move the water bowl further away.

I don't know what substrate you planned on using, but in my experience Reptichip is solid for humidity. You also have the option of misting once or twice a day on top of that, which an appropriate waterproof RHP will help as well with the moisture evaporating off it.

For your heating concerns, that also depends how hot you keep your room/ house. PVCs hold heat well so depending on the wattage of the RHP it could be enough for you not to worry about it. I keep my house around 65/70 so adding an appropriate heat source to an enclosure is very feasible to get desired temps. But you also can add a UTH along with the RHP if you feel the need to do so. Some just like using a standalone RHP.

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My house is about the same, so good to know on that humidity! Reptichip is what I use currently actually as well, and I mist frequently.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

As already suggested, adding a UTH would be the option I'd choose to make sure the 'floor' wasn't too chilly. Either enclosure will work, each has pro's & con's.

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How exactly would a UTH work with a PVC? I see Animal Plastics has the option to add heat tape, but how would I go about hooking that up to a thermostat in the PVC, as PVC seems pretty thick and hard to heat, and placement of the probe seems a lot more difficult in PVC. I currently use a heat mat hooked up to a thermostat for the large tub my boa is currently in, and I enjoy those, is there a way to hook one of those up, or what would you recommend for a UTH with a PVC?

I don't have AP enclosures, but any good PVC enclosure will typically have holes or notches where you can thread your temperature probes or any cords for heating/lighting elements. I haven't honestly had any difficulty setting up a temperature gradient in my 4x2x2 with an RHP. I'd order an RHP from Pro Products and talk directly with Bob, the owner there, about any concerns around adequately heating the floor area.

T25 in my opinion for a boa
None of my boas really use any of the head space even when given decor and things to climb on and will make a lot more use of the larger floor space
(although I also agree 30" depth is a little more annoying for cleaning)

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Originally Posted by Caitlin

I don't have AP enclosures, but any good PVC enclosure will typically have holes or notches where you can thread your temperature probes or any cords for heating/lighting elements. I haven't honestly had any difficulty setting up a temperature gradient in my 4x2x2 with an RHP. I'd order an RHP from Pro Products and talk directly with Bob, the owner there, about any concerns around adequately heating the floor area.

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Alright sounds good! I've never had a PVC before so I'm still new to this.

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

T25 in my opinion for a boa
None of my boas really use any of the head space even when given decor and things to climb on and will make a lot more use of the larger floor space
(although I also agree 30" depth is a little more annoying for cleaning)

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That's interesting to hear, I've been hearing a lot of conflicting things about how boas use height. Some people seem to say they prefer more floor space but some people say they use their height. My boa is currently in a tub that doesn't have much height, so I'm unsure on how she'd act with height, hence why I'm so torn here!

Re: climbing it may well just boil down to the individual snake. For example, I have a pair of Tarahumara Mountain Boas that are siblings. They're in the same sort of PVC enclosure, set up with the same heating and light systems. One of them could care less about climbing, though will occasionally sit on top of a cork round. The other is very climbey - so much so that I've offered her two separate branches to hang out on.

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Originally Posted by BoaCow

That's interesting to hear, I've been hearing a lot of conflicting things about how boas use height. Some people seem to say they prefer more floor space but some people say they use their height. My boa is currently in a tub that doesn't have much height, so I'm unsure on how she'd act with height, hence why I'm so torn here!

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Honestly, I wouldn't get yourself worked up over the decision. As you can see, everybody may have a preference but as long as you're meeting the snake's needs either enclosure will work out fine for you. Snakes have their individual characteristics at the end of the day like Caitlin mentioned, so if he chooses to use the height or not all that matters is he's thriving.

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Originally Posted by RickySRonin

Honestly, I wouldn't get yourself worked up over the decision. As you can see, everybody may have a preference but as long as you're meeting the snake's needs either enclosure will work out fine for you. Snakes have their individual characteristics at the end of the day like Caitlin mentioned, so if he chooses to use the height or not all that matters is he's thriving.

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Yeah, you're right! I'm sure she'd be fine either way, I'm just a very indecisive person haha, just wanted to get the opinions of other people who have experience with this stuff, considering I'm going to be spending $500+ on my snake's forever enclosure.

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Originally Posted by BoaCow

Yeah, you're right! I'm sure she'd be fine either way, I'm just a very indecisive person haha, just wanted to get the opinions of other people who have experience with this stuff, considering I'm going to be spending $500+ on my snake's forever enclosure.

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Trust me, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I'm the worst when it comes to having multiple options so I know what's going through your head Lol I hate it.

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Originally Posted by RickySRonin

Honestly, I wouldn't get yourself worked up over the decision. As you can see, everybody may have a preference but as long as you're meeting the snake's needs either enclosure will work out fine for you.

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yes, exactly this.

You can also make an out of enclosure jungle gym for your boa to climb around on if you really want to ensure you are providing something (heck, even some chairs/stools and such work!) for when you have the boa out.
Will boas make use of shelves/perches? sure! How often they utilize is pretty dependant on the individual snake. I have found the smaller insular species will climb more, I've found younger snakes tend to climb more. Some love it, some really don't care and just want to sit in a warm spot on the floor. In general, I find common boas mostly hanging out on the floor of their caging, so with what I keep, I just provide some out of cage climbing options.

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Originally Posted by RickySRonin

Trust me, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I'm the worst when it comes to having multiple options so I know what's going through your head Lol I hate it.

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Aha yep it sucks:D

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

yes, exactly this.

You can also make an out of enclosure jungle gym for your boa to climb around on if you really want to ensure you are providing something (heck, even some chairs/stools and such work!) for when you have the boa out.
Will boas make use of shelves/perches? sure! How often they utilize is pretty dependant on the individual snake. I have found the smaller insular species will climb more, I've found younger snakes tend to climb more. Some love it, some really don't care and just want to sit in a warm spot on the floor. In general, I find common boas mostly hanging out on the floor of their caging, so with what I keep, I just provide some out of cage climbing options.

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That's a pretty good idea too, will definitely consider that! Whenever I have my boa out, she tends to just explore around the place, although she does sometimes try to stretch towards my ceiling fan, but regardless it doesn't matter too much.


I will keep thinking about it, it doesn't matter too much either way at this point I think, it's just hard to pick from two options that are so similar!