Doing some boa research. Would appreciate help!

[Bogertophis]

I've only raised one large boa (a BCI) fyi:

1. Cage not quite as warm for BCI...mid-upper 80's at most, mid-70's cool side. I used UTH & overhead heat as needed by seasons.
Substrate I preferred for my boa was indoor-outdoor carpet...hand-washable, virtually indestructible (eco-friendly & inexpensive) w/ good traction.

2. Planned cage sizes sound fine...I don't think my BCI ever felt her cage was too big & scary, but she did enjoy her hides, both inside & basking on top. (I made
a custom giant hide for her with a flat top & traction afforded by a rubber-backed carpet mat; it had double-doors in one end, as large heavy-bodied snakes have
an awkward time using just one door...at least, it seemed to please her tremendously...she kept cruising in & out, passing herself while going in the 'other' door.)

3. Terrestrial, low branches OK for younger boas, but large heavy-bodied snakes don't hang onto branches well, so unless you have room for a real log...?

4. Picky eaters? I'd rather feed 20 boas ANY day than a BP...they tend to be easy to please, & never once did I need to blow-dry her food. "Eating machines"!

5. I tried a huge water bowl for a while...mine chose not to soak.

6. I never take my snakes to the vet just for a "check up". Snakes are stoic...if something is wrong, that's one thing, but expecting a vet to see the subtleties I
see at home has been a disappointing experience. Then again, I've been at this a long time. Choose a herp vet carefully...experience matters greatly, & it helps
if you keep notes of your observations to describe a problem.

[kath_]

Thanks so much for answering
Building custom hides sounds like a great idea. And that's amazing that they are great eaters! That's mind-boggling that you don't even have to heat up the food. My BP won't touch anything that isn't blow dryed.