Basking Shelf

[dakski]

I think the shelf is a cool idea, and I know many snakes, especially semi arboreal snakes, such as boas, like them.

Having said that, temps are much more important than a shelf.

If you take the shelf out he's not going to be wondering where it went. .

I have no shelves in my boa cages, but I do let them climb on scaffolding (folding) that I keep in the reptile area. This gives them some exercise and enrichment.

I mentioned semi arboreal, which boas are, but not to the extreme that most carpet pythons are. Yafe, my CP, spends 50-90% of the time during the days in his hides, but is on his perches all night "hunting" or thermoregulating. I don't think a boa needs a shelf, or a perch, etc.

I talk to Jeff Ronne regularly, and will probably be getting another boa from him soon, and he built my tanks (Boaphile tanks). He offers perches on his taller tanks, but both my boa tanks are 1FT tall since my tanks are stacked and they don't need one (my 3 tall tanks are Yafe's - Carpet Python - with perches, Frank's - BTS and needs proper UVB and a basking spot, and the spare tank I have now that had Toref, my dwarf monitor). Jeff keeps some of his larger snakes in custom 4'X2.5'1.5' enclosures he makes, but are too big to ship. He puts a shelf in those to give the boas more floor space.

If your tank is large enough, floor space wise, for him, then a shelf is optional.

My last thought is to call the tank manufacturer and/or the thermostat manufacturer, to see what their solution is.

Good luck, keep us posted, and do not sweat it if you decide to take the shelf out as long as the floor space is adequate.