Quote Originally Posted by eatgoodfood View Post
Im sorry this is off topic but after reading your last post I cannot let it go without saying anything. You state very clearly that it is your first reptile so I am going to guess that it will be your sisters first reptile. If that is true I cant help but stress that she does NOT get a water dragon or a tree monitor. Especially the tree monitor, they are not a beginners reptile and neither of those animals belong in a 10 gallon aquarium. I also stress that you make sure your sister does her homework before she gets anything, it sounds like this will be a spontaneous purchase of whatever she seems to like at the expo. Bad idea unless you are well versed in the care of the animal you pickup. While you have the animal in your care is not the time to learn how to care for it. Not trying to berate you or your sister, I am just looking out for the animals well being.

Now a little more on topic, just because you take your boa out of her cage for an hour or more daily does not mean you can get away with not having a proper enclosure. This 'exercise time' is not a substitue.
I have to agree with both these points. I won't comment further on your sister's first reptile as I think eatgoodfood stated it very well indeed. One other thing I noticed upon reading your original post is that you're considering "buying your mom a chameleon" before taking care of the needs of the animal you already have. First things first = proper housing for you boa, THEN think about getting another animal.

But, no, frequent exercise is not a substitute for a proper enclosure no matter how beneficial that exercise may be. I'm sorry if I gave that impression with my last post.

"Terrarium" pretty much equals "tank" IMO. You don't want to use glass or plexi unless its just for the door. Neither of these hold heat well at all. You should do some research on properly housing and caring for you boa so you will understand her needs and what kind of enclosure she should have. The terrestrial cages I pointed out earlier at Animal Plastics are extremely popular with boa keepers and breeders for a reason - this is the sort of enclosure that is appropriate for a boa. When you take responsibility for an animal, you have to consider the animal's needs and not just what you would like.

Here is a picture of XFenrir's boa's enclosure. She is another user here and I hope she doesn't mind my sharing her picture for her, lol!! But this is an excellent example of a homemade cage for an adult boa. An appropriate cage does not have to be this tall, strictly speaking, but if you have the space, it is an excellent idea so your boa can climb.


And here are some links that will help you research your boa's proper care. I hope it helps you!!

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tor-imperator)

http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/down...ion-3-a-31312/

Also, here is a fairly in-depth article by Gus Rentfro, Rio Bravo Reptiles, on Boa Constrictor care:

http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/sna...tail-boas.html