Can't decide on which boa to get.

[Gio]

Gio, first of, thank you for taking so much time to reply and answer my questions.

Also, If i get the T8 from Animal Plastics, (48"x24"x12") and put a divider in there, would that be better than just having the full open cage? That way it won't get stressed out being in such a big space and I wouldn't have to buy multiple cages? And I'm afraid to move the ball python to a big enclosure because I don't want her to stop eating. I looked at Northwest Constrictors and Animal Plastics, and the cages would be too big for her, even as an adult I think. They have 3 foot by 2 foot enclosures, but they are more than the T8 would be.. I think I will buy her a new cage like the T8 or something when she gets bigger, but what is a good cage size for an adult female ball python? It will be awhile before I get the boa, so I'm not rushing. I just want all my thoughts together before I just go out and buy a cage. I've went through 3 cages with my ball python because I listened to one person and then got better advice from another and changed my mind. I want to be sure of EVERYTHING for this snake. I'm gathering as much info as I can.

Hey, great attitude! That's how you should look at it. I personally am not a huge believer in "cage stress". If you had a huge cage, limited hides and no other cover, that's one thing, but if you have a huge cage and comfortable hides, water and some top cover close to the different hides things should be fine. In actual nature, these little guys have a lot more open terrain than a T-8, T-10 or Pro-Line (name the size). Keep in mind the added shipping cost of the T-8 and T-10. I would personally grab the extra few inches in height with the T-10 at 15" but the Pro-Line at 14" prices out better after shipping, and the quality of plastic is superb. A lot opinion and individual preference is involved in caging. I priced it all out WITH SHIPPING and found the Pro-Line more affordable.

If you get a T-8 and divide it or just clutter it things will be fine. Boas, at least the BCC's and BCI's are not scared to death of the whole world to the extent Royal pythons are. So again choose your cage wisely and consider height. Dumeril boas are not know as climbers so the T-8 would probably be excellent. BCC-BCI boas especially when young like to climb. Even the older boas, the big ones are found in trees, though they do become more terrestrial with size. The Hog Island and other island locale boa are even more arboreal from what I understand.

I think your Royal would be fine in a 3x2 cage. Ours is in a similar cage, and my only wish is it would not have been 18" tall 12" would have been plenty.

Cage and thermostat are the big purchases and I would not skimp on either. Here's the nice thing with the bigger, taller cage. You can change your mind 10 times on the kind of snake having full confidence you have a cage that can take a Dum, a Hog, a Colombian, a Carpet or a Blood.

Once the cage is set, the snake world is yours!! You can change your mind many times over for what type of snake you want, because a good 4 X 2 x 12-15" can house almost any BCC/BCI, and will handle the Carpets, and Dums no problem.

So no matter who you listened to in the beginning about cages, I guarantee you, the only thing you'll here about the size I just posted is to go to a 6 footer and up to 2 feet tall. But it sounds like the type of snake you personally want is a dead ringer for the 4 foot type cages.

Many of the big name boa breeders will tell you they are OK in a 4x2x12.

Take it slow and find a great cage. FYI there are a lot of classified ads with Boaphiles and other cages at good prices.

Good luck!!