Cage size for adult carpet?

[DennisM]

... However, Ed makes cages and if he thinks a snake is too large, he can whip up a 4 footer and not think twice.

well, I can't whip one up, DIY is not me, but I can buy one pretty quick. I'm not disagreeing with bigger/taller, as long as the floor space is not undersized, it's more important than height. what matters is that the space is large enough to not stress the snake ( I know, on BP.net small enough to not stress is more popular!). My experience is that carpets do just fine without the option of climbing to 24 or 480 inches. My experience is that carpets can be be kept in non-arboreal setups without stress or health issues.

Here's my advice to the OP;

#1 - don't put a hatchling/yearling/sub-adult in an enclosure that will house it for life. You're not going to know what size that cage is for a few more years anyway.
#2 - when the time comes for the adult cage; get whatever you like based on your space, budget and desires. Just make certain it has adequate floor space.

[Gio]

well, I can't whip one up, DIY is not me, but I can buy one pretty quick. I'm not disagreeing with bigger/taller, as long as the floor space is not undersized, it's more important than height. what matters is that the space is large enough to not stress the snake ( I know, on BP.net small enough to not stress is more popular!). My experience is that carpets do just fine without the option of climbing to 24 or 480 inches. My experience is that carpets can be be kept in non-arboreal setups without stress or health issues.

Here's my advice to the OP;

#1 - don't put a hatchling/yearling/sub-adult in an enclosure that will house it for life. You're not going to know what size that cage is for a few more years anyway.
#2 - when the time comes for the adult cage; get whatever you like based on your space, budget and desires. Just make certain it has adequate floor space.

Yep I agree 100% and I'm with you DIY is not my bag either LOL, and I can't even "buy one pretty quick" these days.

One VERY cool thing I've noticed about carpets and really, a lot of Aussie snakes, is their demeanor seems a lot more stress free and social when they are grown compared to a lot of other snakes.

Carpets are really great IMO!

[DennisM]

...Carpets are really great IMO!

that's not an opinion; that's a fact!

[artgecko]

Thanks for the advice guys!
I think that I will order a cage for one of my other boas first and upgrade the carpet to the large tub that boa was in for now (the tub is about 3' x 1.5' x 16" tall, so will allow for perches). I will plan on getting a 4'x2' cage and the tallest that I can afford when the time comes... I'd be willing to spend whatever it takes to get a good setup, but convincing my husband is another matter lol.

For those using the taller cages, do you all use RHPs for heating? I was planning on going with heat tape from AP for my cages.. The room the reptiles are in is heated to 76/78f ambient. I know many have said that with the taller cages, heat tape won't work for a hot spot or the more arboreal snakes prefer a heat source near the top of the cage.

[Gio]

Thanks for the advice guys!
I think that I will order a cage for one of my other boas first and upgrade the carpet to the large tub that boa was in for now (the tub is about 3' x 1.5' x 16" tall, so will allow for perches). I will plan on getting a 4'x2' cage and the tallest that I can afford when the time comes... I'd be willing to spend whatever it takes to get a good setup, but convincing my husband is another matter lol.

For those using the taller cages, do you all use RHPs for heating? I was planning on going with heat tape from AP for my cages.. The room the reptiles are in is heated to 76/78f ambient. I know many have said that with the taller cages, heat tape won't work for a hot spot or the more arboreal snakes prefer a heat source near the top of the cage.

Good questions.

Nick Mutton, one of the authors of THE COMPLETE CARPET PYTHON uses Pro-Line cages which are made by Ed Lilley at Constrictors NW. Both of those guys use RHPs. I also use RHPs for my snakes.

For highly/semi to completely arboreal snakes they are a good option. The snake can choose a level, ground, low perch or high perch to regulate body temps. As of late my girl will sit on top of her hide under the panel in the day. At night she will climb up higher, but usually to the opposite side of the panel.

I'm not at all familiar with tubs, so I can't say if they would work there. I think a tub would be best with tape or UTH heat.

Funny your hubby is the factor. My wife is the one who I have to run everything snake related passed. Usually it is very difficult to get my way, but I have 3 so far and VERY nice setups!

Stay the course and you will eventually get your iconic cage!

[artgecko]

I'm thinking about getting the T13... it is on sale right now. My only issue is that the larger footprint (4'x30" x 18") is different than the T10 I already have on order. Do you think the T10 would stack on top of the T13 (it is 2' wide).

I'll have to think about the RHP... I may go with heat tape for now and then upgrade to an RHP if the heat tape isn't working for me.

[Gio]

I'm thinking about getting the T13... it is on sale right now. My only issue is that the larger footprint (4'x30" x 18") is different than the T10 I already have on order. Do you think the T10 would stack on top of the T13 (it is 2' wide).

I'll have to think about the RHP... I may go with heat tape for now and then upgrade to an RHP if the heat tape isn't working for me.

Yes, I have a 24" foot deep stacked on 30" deep.

Great size you picked. Go RHP and tape!

[CloudtheBoa]

Thanks for the advice guys!
I think that I will order a cage for one of my other boas first and upgrade the carpet to the large tub that boa was in for now (the tub is about 3' x 1.5' x 16" tall, so will allow for perches). I will plan on getting a 4'x2' cage and the tallest that I can afford when the time comes... I'd be willing to spend whatever it takes to get a good setup, but convincing my husband is another matter lol.

For those using the taller cages, do you all use RHPs for heating? I was planning on going with heat tape from AP for my cages.. The room the reptiles are in is heated to 76/78f ambient. I know many have said that with the taller cages, heat tape won't work for a hot spot or the more arboreal snakes prefer a heat source near the top of the cage.

I use both an RHP and a CHE to heat my 3' tall enclosures, and I also have to heat the room extra hot during the winter.

This can be mitigated by splitting a taller enclosure in half or offering a basking shelf/branch, and heating only the top half for the hot spot. Then you can heat the bottom with heat tape.

The only thing I see that could be a problem is I've seen people have trouble with stacking PVC heated with RHPs/CHEs, saying the bottom enclosure heats the one above it too hot.

I wanted to stack and use RHP/CHE, but I might have to look into making a stand to put them on to put some distance between them.


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[EL-Ziggy]

I'm currently using a uth and IR heat bulbs for my carpets AP enclosure. A uth or heat tape are great for creating hot spots but don't do much for ambient temps. The IR heat bulbs on a dimmer give me optimal ambient temps and a basking area. I plan to switch to RHP's when they get a little older. They're in a split T8 now, so the RHP isn't practical, but they'll end up in separate 4x2x2s as adults.