New BCI!! Need some HELP

[RoyalBlood20]

hey all!
I just got a new BCI today and he is HUGE. He is about 8 feet long. I got a Boamaster enclosure measuring 4x2x12 with a heat pad for heat source. I am running into some dillemmas. First, the room I am keeping him in is usually 65-70 degrees which is pretty cold and the heat pad isnt bringing the ambient up much. Its at about 76. The people I brought him from (Noahs Ark Reptiles) said that just a heat pad would be fine, but I am thinking I may need another heat source........The thing is, I don't want to heat the whole room up with a space heater....RHP a good substitute? Second, would this size boa require a hide? At the moment hes pretty restless and crusing his enclosure but its the first day so idk.....good hides for a boa of this size that are not homemade and can be found online?? Thanks guys, any advice would be much appreciated. A how-to for RHPs would be appreciated as well.

[O'Mathghamhna]

First off, the heat pad needs a thermostat to keep it from overheating. I understand it's not bringing the ambient temp of the tank up, but that's typically not what UTH's are used for. Ambient temp can be brought up with a lamp, a CHE, or maybe RHP's. And a hide would be ideal for him to cozy up in since he's getting used to his new surroundings. I actually have an extra large tortoise hide I'm using for a BCI I'm babysitting who is about 7 feet.

MOST important: if you aren't regulating the temp of that heat pad, it needs to be removed at once. Even with substrate, snakey can bury himself and burn his tumtum. Good luck!

[O'Mathghamhna]

Also, it may go without saying, but ideally you do all this research before bringing home such a big snuggle bunny! But you've come to the right place and we will help you as best we can.

[RoyalBlood20]

im not dumb. the heat pad is regulated by a thermostat lol.

[boaguy]

radiant heat panel or do a heat tape install. I never used hides for any of my boa constrictors.

[bcr229]

You can use an RHP to bring up the ambient temp. With a 12" high enclosure you won't need a really big one.

If you want feeder rabbits for that big boy I'll give you the contact info for my supplier. You'll have to go to Frederick but a male that big should only be eating once every month anyway so you'd only have to make the trip twice a year, as the feeders will last six months in the freezer.

[CloudtheBoa]

I'd advise a bigger enclosure as well, a 4'x2' is a rather tight squeeze for an 8 footer....Length+Width should be equal to or longer than the snakes length. I'd advise nothing smaller than a 6'x2'.

As others have said, heat panels would be a good option! They do well for raising ambient temps and will heat the surfaces of whatever is below them. In a PVC enclosure, it shouldn't be difficult at all to maintain temps even with the room that cold.

Yes, hides should always be provided. I think RBI or LLLReptile has big enough hides to house a mid-sized retic so you shouldn't have problems getting a big enough hide.

[RoyalBlood20]

thanks for your input guys. according to the vendor i got him from hes eating three large rats once a week. so maybe a larger feeder would be beat for him and my babk account lol. I ordered the RB 80watt rhp abd im confused as to how to install them and where to place them...any thoughts??

[Reinz]

When you can afford the space and money a 6x2 would be better. My 7 ft Boa is in a 6x2 Boaphile which is perfect.

My 7-8 ft Coastal Carpet just seems a bit cramped in her 4x2x2. I hope to offer her a 6x2 later this year.


Lizzy, Coastal Carpet

[Gio]

thanks for your input guys. according to the vendor i got him from hes eating three large rats once a week. so maybe a larger feeder would be beat for him and my babk account lol. I ordered the RB 80watt rhp abd im confused as to how to install them and where to place them...any thoughts??

STOP THAT ROUTINE ASAP!

No boa constrictor that age should ever be fed once a week and certainly not 3 large rats at one time.

As stated above 1 rabbit a month is fine for that guy. There are other options, but you are best doing a site search here to find them.

From what the sellers have told you so far, I'm not confident they have passed on the best advice.

The RHP will be great, and when you can look for a larger enclosure. Hopefully you have a quality thermostat, but if not look into Herpstats.

I would give your boa a least a month to clean out before feeding again.

Snatch up a copy of this!

THE COMPLETE BOA CONSTRICTOR
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0978897927/...sl_12qfyt0i2_e