2 year old male; How much growth to expect?

[AtomicJok3r]

Okay, Quick question. So most people say that RTBs get like 7-9ft easy and require an enclosure 5-6ft at least, that I have read and been told at Repticon before. Or is that if they are over fed or power fed? Because I feed the same as Samong, one small rat every 9-14 days. Just recently, while trying to find an enclosure to save and buy, I have been reading that they most cases they are smaller than that and don't require that big of enclosure. I understand the sense of security, but wouldn't a 6-7ft snake be more comfortable in a bigger enclosure, more room to stretch? I keep reading that bigger is better for boas. The rule of thumb I thought was length of snake = length + width of enclosure? Meaning a 4x2 would comfortably hold a 6ft right? Sorry to intrude, but I have been reading so many contradicting things past few days so I'm trying to figure out what will be best for my two Red Tails.

[bcr229]

I go by 1 square foot of floor space in the enclosure per foot of snake. Also if the enclosure is a bit taller that can let the snake stretch out, since boas do climb and perch if given the opportunity.

[AtomicJok3r]

Yeah, like I said in other thread, I just don't give mine the opportunity really. But, I'm thinking I might put a perch in and see what happens.

[Gio]

Okay, Quick question. So most people say that RTBs get like 7-9ft easy and require an enclosure 5-6ft at least, that I have read and been told at Repticon before. Or is that if they are over fed or power fed? Because I feed the same as Samong, one small rat every 9-14 days. Just recently, while trying to find an enclosure to save and buy, I have been reading that they most cases they are smaller than that and don't require that big of enclosure. I understand the sense of security, but wouldn't a 6-7ft snake be more comfortable in a bigger enclosure, more room to stretch? I keep reading that bigger is better for boas. The rule of thumb I thought was length of snake = length + width of enclosure? Meaning a 4x2 would comfortably hold a 6ft right? Sorry to intrude, but I have been reading so many contradicting things past few days so I'm trying to figure out what will be best for my two Red Tails.

This all depends on who you are talking with about caging. Very experienced breeders will know these animals well, but that doesn't at all mean they set their BC's up like a one or two BC enthusiast. Can boas be kept in smaller, minimalist setups? Sure they can. It's proven and efficient setups prove to be the best for breeders and keepers of multiple animals.

Now with all of that said, if you are into observing the full spectrum of behaviors boa constrictors exhibit, by all means get a good sized cage, and also get one that is a minimum of 18" tall. I keep my almost 6 foot, 3 year old male in a 48" x 30" x 20" cage. That seems to be perfect and I observe him climbing, perching, using different thermal zones, and stretching out. Also note, at least in the case of my boa, he will retreat to the opposite side of where eliminates his waste.

Boa constrictors are semi arboreal, and will often be seen hunting in the canopy in the wild, or ambushing ground prey from the lower portions of the forest canopy.

They are comfortable around water, in the trees, and on the ground, and will look for prey wherever there is an opportunity.

Often size is guessed rather than correctly measured. ALL snakes appear much larger in pictures posted on the web. A female or in some cases a male BC that is 7-8 feet long is a rather large snake. BC density is incredible compared to many snakes of the same length.

Caging is up to the keeper, and you need to gauge the caging toward your lifestyle. Obviously the snake's minimum requirements must be met, but once you have that you can look into a large display if you have the room, or a medium sized display, or an efficiency setup or something in between.

The snake really doesn't care as it can adapt, and will stay where there is a constant food and water source along with proper husbandry settings.

As a keeper, I can't think you wouldn't enjoy watching the many behaviors boa constrictors preform in a setup that allows for them.

Hunting from perches in a 20" tall cage.

[JoshSloane]

This all depends on who you are talking with about caging. Very experienced breeders will know these animals well, but that doesn't at all mean they set their BC's up like a one or two BC enthusiast. Can boas be kept in smaller, minimalist setups? Sure they can. It's proven and efficient setups prove to be the best for breeders and keepers of multiple animals.

Now with all of that said, if you are into observing the full spectrum of behaviors boa constrictors exhibit, by all means get a good sized cage, and also get one that is a minimum of 18" tall. I keep my almost 6 foot, 3 year old male in a 48" x 30" x 20" cage. That seems to be perfect and I observe him climbing, perching, using different thermal zones, and stretching out. Also note, at least in the case of my boa, he will retreat to the opposite side of where eliminates his waste.

Boa constrictors are semi arboreal, and will often be seen hunting in the canopy in the wild, or ambushing ground prey from the lower portions of the forest canopy.

They are comfortable around water, in the trees, and on the ground, and will look for prey wherever there is an opportunity.

Often size is guessed rather than correctly measured. ALL snakes appear much larger in pictures posted on the web. A female or in some cases a male BC that is 7-8 feet long is a rather large snake. BC density is incredible compared to many snakes of the same length.

Caging is up to the keeper, and you need to gauge the caging toward your lifestyle. Obviously the snake's minimum requirements must be met, but once you have that you can look into a large display if you have the room, or a medium sized display, or an efficiency setup or something in between.

The snake really doesn't care as it can adapt, and will stay where there is a constant food and water source along with proper husbandry settings.

As a keeper, I can't think you wouldn't enjoy watching the many behaviors boa constrictors preform in a setup that allows for them.

Hunting from perches in a 20" tall cage.

+1 To all this. While there are standards in the reptile community, you must take every bit of advice with a grain of salt, including mine. Everyone has their own idea of what good husbandry means. As long as you are within the specs of the individual animal you can absolutely get creative. Just depends on how expensive you want to go. I personally go for the minimalist approach, as it increase ease of cleaning, maintenance and has a much lower price tag. Do you need a 6 foot or longer cage for a BC? Absolutely not IMO. If you are thinking that the extra space is needed for them to "stretch out," that just isn't the case. A 4x2x1 cage is plenty and will house them in a healthy state for their entire adult lives. However, if you want to go for a 6x4x4 enclosure so you can add in branches and other décor that's entirely up to you.