Hog Island Boa Housing

[piedpipper]

Hey guys,
Up until now I've really only been interested in ball pythons but recently I've really been getting into boas ever since I got my BRB. I'm a bit limited on space right now so I want to get the smallest boa constrictor locality there is and as far as I know that would be the hog island. My question is as I've mostly had experience with ball pythons do these species do well in racks? Would it be possible to keep it in something like a 41 qt? I've heard they only get to around 5 ft so I can't imagine they'd need anything bigger than that?
Thanks,
Greg

[Bethstang]

Hi,
I have a 3 yr old female Hog Island and she is in a 41 qt right now with no issues. She is probably about 4 - 4 1/2 feet.

[bcr229]

The smallest locality boa is the Tarahumara. An adult will be fine in a 41-qt rack. I have 1.2 two year olds in a 28-qt rack though I expect the females to need an upgrade by the end of the year. The male is still tiny.

[BWB]

I've got my year old, 3 foot Hog Island in a 3 foot glass terrarium and she has plenty of room. I also have a 4 foot one for when she grows out of her current enclosure. They are a great snake, by the way - beautiful, fun and interesting. Also, probably typical of boas, she is a great eater.

[distaff]

The smallest locality boa is the Tarahumara. An adult will be fine in a 41-qt rack. I have 1.2 two year olds in a 28-qt rack though I expect the females to need an upgrade by the end of the year. The male is still tiny.

^^this, as far as I know. There is another very small Mexican locality, but I can't remember its name.
Vin Russo has a good video with Dave Palumbo (MuscleSerpentsUniversity) on the small locality boas.

A Tarahumara is my first pick, but I can't see being ready for anything for the foreseeable future.

[piedpipper]

I wasn't aware of the Mexican localities but now that I've looked at them I think I still prefer the hog islands. As long as I can comfortably keep a hog island in a 41 qt I'd rather have it over the tarahumara since I like boas with a little bit of size to them. Which it sounds like everyone is agreeing is feasible?

Sorry if this is a common question... but I've been on some uk forums trying to find an answer and as soon as someone suggested keeping boas in racks they all jumped on him for being cruel and cramping the animal to "unlivable" conditions. Of course they also said that racks had no place in the snake keeping hobby at all and would be the reason why they would soon ban their use.
Guess UK people keep snakes differently? lol

[bcr229]

^^this, as far as I know. There is another very small Mexican locality, but I can't remember its name.

Sonoran. Small boas with big attitudes.

There is nothing wrong with keeping them in a tub/rack setup, but unlike ball pythons if you give them a taller enclosure and stuff to climb on they will happily drape themselves over fake branches and watch the world go by.

[JoshSloane]

Boas are fine in racks. They do great as display animals in cages that allow them to climb, but honestly they are just as secure and healthy in racks that are appropriately sized. Any boa, regardless of sex can live in a 41 qt tub for at least 3-4 years. Big female BCIs and BCCs will need a larger permanent enclosure once they outgrow the tubs, but the dwarf boas will do just fine in the rack majority of their lives.