Thinking about red tails

[Kittycatpenut]

I'm thinking about getting a baby( I prefer a baby so I can learn their habits while they cant hurt me)male red tailed boa for Christmas. I know a male can get up to 10 ft long and eat rats or rabbits and I'm fine with that. I have 2 other people with me who like snakes and I know how to detatch a snake from myself.
Are there any tubs big enough for an adult red tail? I like tubs over tanks because they're lighter, easier to clean, and much cheaper. I heard christmas tree boxes are big enough.

[Daybreaker]

I heard of keeping BCIs in those Christmas Tree Tubs up until they get too big, personally though I would stick him in something like a Boaphile or Vision cage with radiant heat panels. A male (unless he gets huge) should be fine in a 4' cage, though a 6' cage would be ideal (more room to stretch out).

[Kittycatpenut]

Only thing about those is the expence. They are like 400+

[Daybreaker]

Only thing about those is the expence. They are like 400+

Have any builders in your family? You can build a nice cage for ~$100, it's been done and on redtailboa net there's a tutorial on actually making a nice cage.

Remember, a large cage that he can be in comfortably is well worth the money: those kind of cages are ideal for adult boas. I wouldn't cut corners with snake caging and heating: it's just the expense of having a larger snake.

[Evenstar]

If you are considering a RTB, you need to consider the cage it'll need as an adult. You could save for a cage. If you're getting a baby, it'll be a long time before a 4' cage is necessary. In my opinion, there is no tub that will be big enough for an adult RTB (either BCI or BCC). It is unfair to a very intelligent snake. Jeff Ronne, the Boaphile, talks about this on his website and it's not because he sells cages - he has racks with tubs too and they can also be pricey. But it is good advice....

A BCI is not a "true" red tail boa (those are BCC) and the BCIs do not get as large. A male common columbian boa (BCI) will be around 6 feet as an adult - much more managable. I still believe it should have a 4' cage as an adult, but 10' is not realistic for a male BCI. A BCC will be bigger, but a male BCC will be around 8-9 feet and the females 10-12. BCIs will average 5-7 for males and 7-9 for females (and that's being generous, lol). There are of course larger and/or smaller specimens of either species, but these are rough averages.

[Daybreaker]

If you are considering a RTB, you need to consider the cage it'll need as an adult. You could save for a cage. If you're getting a baby, it'll be a long time before a 4' cage is necessary. In my opinion, there is no tub that will be big enough for an adult RTB (either BCI or BCC). It is unfair to a very intelligent snake. Jeff Ronne, the Boaphile, talks about this on his website and it's not because he sells cages - he has racks with tubs too and they can also be pricey. But it is good advice....

A BCI is not a "true" red tail boa (those are BCC) and the BCIs do not get as large. A male common columbian boa (BCI) will be around 6 feet as an adult - much more managable. I still believe it should have a 4' cage as an adult, but 10' is not realistic for a male BCI. A BCC will be bigger, but a male BCC will be around 8-9 feet and the females 10-12. BCIs will average 5-7 for males and 7-9 for females (and that's being generous, lol). There are of course larger and/or smaller specimens of either species, but these are rough averages.

Good advice and info

Though I (just speaking for myself) wouldn't ever put a BCI Colombian male in something as big as a 10' cage (or even a female) because it would be a huge pain to keep temps regulated correctly in that size of a cage. 4' for an average adult male BCI, and 6' for an average female would be what I would personally recommend.

Also keep in mind the costs of feeding him when he's older: I don't think he would need to be on bunnies but large rats/jumbo rats do add up in costs.

[Kittycatpenut]

Unfortunatly, no builders or even tools. We just moved and the mom got all the tools. Thinking about it, Ill probably get a male bcc or female bci. Time to start saving my lunch money. Or I could tell my dad that he wouldnt owe me 346$ anymore. Or Ill say its my only christmas present. When its big enough to be eating alot of rats ill just get a bulk order of em and keep them in the freezer. Already have mice in there for the bp.

[Daybreaker]

^ Also food for thought: it sounds like you're younger and are living at home (just ASSuming from your post, please disregard if I'm way off base here) but here's this: will you be able to keep/afford a large adult boa somewhere when you move out and have your own place? If you go to college will you need to stay in the dorms where snakes usually arn't allowed (especially bigger ones)? Keeping a ball is one thing, a large adult boa is another.

For a male BCC/female BCI definately bet on needing at least a 6' cage.

[Kittycatpenut]

Yes, I live at home(14 years old). Im getting a job asap(stupid child labor laws) and im going to college but im not going to be staying in a dorm because I live within 10 miles from NC state.
Im going to be in college for quite a while because I want to be a herp vet.

[djansen]

Have you looked into any of the smaller boa species?