Housing Boa question

[abrunsen]

Hi guys,
Im looking into getting a boa and I am wondering what I can keep it in as an adult. I really don't want to have a massive glass cage or spend 500 dollars on an animal plastics cage either. What is the most cost effective way of keeping a boa when it becomes an adult? Can it be kept in a tub or a 40 gallon breeder? If you suggest a glass enclosure the biggest I want is a 40 gallon breeder so what boa could live in that as an adult. If it can live in a tub then I don't really care about the size. If you guys could suggest a boa that would be suitable for these size requirements that would be great. I REALLY want a male BCI but I am open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Alex

[Skittles1101]

My Boaphile, with RHP, under belly heat, and keyed locks installed only costed $350 shipped...

[The Serpent Merchant]

A 40 gallon won't be big enough for a full size boa, you will need at least a 4 foot enclosure if not larger.

there are smaller boas like the rainbow/rosy/sand boas but they do not look like a BCC/BCI

[BigJ]

It really depends on what type of boa you are looking into getting, however in general a 4x2x1 will be just about perfect for most males.

I really like the boaphiles cages myself, but most of the other PVC manufactures are great!

[abrunsen]

My Boaphile, with RHP, under belly heat, and keyed locks installed only costed $350 shipped...

I guess i could always save for it... How long would it take for my boa to get to a size where it would need that?

[BigJ]

If you buy it as a baby, 1 1/2 or 2 yrs

[Skittles1101]

I agree, I just ordered mine and I've had him for close to a year now, and he wasn't quite a baby when I got him.

[yeroc1982]

I have a PVC tank, 4'x2'x16" high for $250 locally. Has the plexiglass window in front, right across the front with key locks.

[bioteacher]

You could get a Ford's boa and house it in a 20 gallon long. The boa would cost you the most. Or buy a 75 gallon aquarium ($50-$100 on craiglist) and cover the top with some saran for humidity (no heat on the saran wrap though). The second way you could get a much bigger boa - my 5 1/2 foot JCP does well in a 75 gallon tank.

[John1982]

With a potential lifespan of 40+ years the feeding bill alone will dwarf the cost of a $500 enclosure.. There are some island species of boa that exhibit dwarfism and so don't get large at all. Vin Russo works with several of these dwarf boas so I'd contact him if you want to find a possible fit for a 40 gallon breeder. Here are some links on his website to a couple that may fit the bill.

Both the crawl cay and caulkers cay max out around 4-5 feet and look like the more traditional boas if that's what you're looking for.
http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/boaco...erator&UID=112
http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/boaco...erator&UID=116