Housing a Boa in AP Enclosures

[BurntFrosting]

Hello so I am going to be ordering an Animal Plastics enclosure soon for my juvenile red tail boa for when he begins to get bigger. I have a few questions regarding the accessories to add and what decor I can purchase to make the enclosure a little bit more engaging for him as he grows.

Tank size: 72L x 30W x 18H

Accessories I am Considering:

• Door locks (this is a no brainer)
• LED lighting (I was curious if this could still give the snake the impression of a day night cycle or do I need a different light for that)
• Basking shelf (I know boas are nocturnal and don't naturally bask but I thought it would be nice to add extra floor space and a little bit of a climbing area)
• Belly heat tape (I will be getting a radiant heat panel so I don't know if two heat sources is overkill??)
• Radiant Heat Panel from ProHeat

For decor I know I want one branch, some coconut fiber mix for substrate and of course some large hides for later down the line. I know boas don't need complicated enclosures but I want something in there for him.

Any suggestions for the accessories and decor would be loved!

[WhompingWillow]

What's your ambient room temp? Unless very cold I'd think an appropriately sized RHP would be plenty to heat the enclosure. I use RHPs from Reptile Basics and easily get a 90 degree hot spot and 80 degree cool side.

[BurntFrosting]

What's your ambient room temp? Unless very cold I'd think an appropriately sized RHP would be plenty to heat the enclosure. I use RHPs from Reptile Basics and easily get a 90 degree hot spot and 80 degree cool side.

I believe it is usually between 65-69 degrees farenheit the reason I was considering the belly tape because I know boss like belly heat so I wasn’t sure if it would be a good idea or not. Thank you for the advice and feedback!

[Dianne]

I’ve found that the rhp heats the area fine without additional belly heat. That said, I’ve used a variety of things over the 26 years I’ve had my boas. The only time I used under tank heaters for my boas was when the ambient temp in the room was sufficient and they didn’t need a heat la,p or rhp. Since switching to the rhp, I haven’t needed to supplement that.

[Reinz]

I don’t think that there are any wrong or right answers per se. It’s more of what you want and think is best for your snake.

I think it’s great that you are willing to go with a 6 foot cage with a shelf.

My 8 foot Boa was 7 foot when I placed him in his 6 foot Boaphile. I feel that he has out grown it since he has 1.5 square foot soaking bowl in there along with a hide and drinking bowl, and he is now 8 feet. I have ordered an 8 foot AP cage for him along with a shelf, LEDs, RHP & UTH, and lock.

Now my 5 foot + adult male Boa (a real runt) is in a 4x2x2 with climbing poles that are used. While not “needed”, I may move him to an extra 6 foot T-25.

Butch, Wild Type BI using the poles.

I’m all about options for my snakes. While 2 different heat sources are not necessary, I still provide them.

I love shelves. I look at it as extra floor space, not so much as a basking spot. I have 6 AP cages with shelves and they are definitely used. I have 3 more AP cages on order with shelves as well. All of my cages with shelves are used by the snakes.

Etta, Coastal Carpet busting a move for the shelf.


Esmarelda, Jungle Carpet hunting from the shelf.

I only use the LEDs for cage cleaning and viewing. Natural light comes in through the window, so I don’t worry about light cycles.

I rarely use the colors, white is all I need for viewing and clean up.

While I have locks for everybody, I don’t use them because I live alone.


Olivia, Olive Python, using her poles, but she likes to hang out on her shelves too.

Bottom line, these snakes are in small quarters. So anything added will almost always be used, some more than others. As far as enrichment items such as poles, branches, plants, etc; while used by our snakes, I’m it’s probably more for our enjoyment than theirs.

[CALM Pythons]

I believe it is usually between 65-69 degrees farenheit the reason I was considering the belly tape because I know boss like belly heat so I wasn’t sure if it would be a good idea or not. Thank you for the advice and feedback!

Good call.. thats to cool for the RHP to keep the Cool side warm enough of the enclosure is over 4’. If my home falls below 68 my Pro Panels keep the Hot side Great but the cool sides go down into the mid 70’s and I dont like that. I don’t allow my cool sides less than 80. Especially with my Burmese Pythons, they are subject to RI.
For 8’ enclosures I have to use another small RHP at the cool side. This is because I run my home at 66/68 all year whether its AC or Heat.


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[BurntFrosting]

I’m all about options for my snakes. While 2 different heat sources are not necessary, I still provide them.

Are you able to still get a decent amount of heat even with substrate? That’s my biggest struggle while I’ve been brainstorming. Since I live in a cold house I want to provide both sources of heat but if I have substrate will the belly tape or heat pad even be worth it?

[jmcrook]

Are you able to still get a decent amount of heat even with substrate? That’s my biggest struggle while I’ve been brainstorming. Since I live in a cold house I want to provide both sources of heat but if I have substrate will the belly tape or heat pad even be worth it?

Just use a thin layer of your chosen substrate. Uth/belly heat is only really effective with thin substrate anyway. Your critter will push it out of the way accordingly to get the heat they desire. Just make sure to measure the temp of the uth under the substrate, not above


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[Reinz]

Are you able to still get a decent amount of heat even with substrate? That’s my biggest struggle while I’ve been brainstorming. Since I live in a cold house I want to provide both sources of heat but if I have substrate will the belly tape or heat pad even be worth it?

My situation is different than yours. I live in a part of Texas where the winters are mild, a joke compared to other parts of the country.

However, substrate that is over the belly heat should just be anywhere from a thin layer to 1/2 ish thick. I just keep enough to cover the area. Though my snakes rarely use the belly heat, they just push the substrate out of the way and make a bare spot to soak up heat. They usually do it for a few days during shed, and sometimes after a meal. This is why belly heat is measured at the bare surface floor of the cage and NOT at the top of the substrate.


You can see that the substrate is just enough to cover the floor on the hot side.

[MR Snakes]

"Etta, Coastal Carpet busting a move for the shelf."

Now that's funny!