Exercise and Enrichment Ideas

[ckuhn003]

Hey everyone—got any fun ideas for outside‑the‑enclosure exercise or enrichment for boas? When I’m cleaning enclosures, I’d love something better than just sticking them in a bin. Plus it’d be nice to let them stretch out and explore a bit while they’re out. I was thinking about using an old wooden ladder with some netting added, but I’m open to anything. Bonus points if it looks good in a man‑cave‑style reptile room. Curious what setups you all use.

[bcr229]

A lot of people use the tall "cat trees" since they're pretty stable, carpeted, no sharp edges, etc. Just don't get one that has a hidey hole to disappear into or you may not get your snake out of it easily.

[ckuhn003]

A lot of people use the tall "cat trees" since they're pretty stable, carpeted, no sharp edges, etc. Just don't get one that has a hidey hole to disappear into or you may not get your snake out of it easily.

That's an interesting idea that I never considered (since I've never been a cat owner). I assume there would be no issues allowing multiple Boas interact together? I've always kept them seperate.

[Bogertophis]

Cat trees & ladders are both good ideas. Ladders have the advantage of multi-purpose, AND can be folded & stored out of the way. You could use 2 ladders, & join them with some temporary thick branches too.

In the past, I remember several keepers making "jungle gyms" out of either bamboo poles (plant nurseries often carry them) tied securely together with rope to continue the 'natural look', or using PVC pipes & elbows (like from Home Depot) for the same "jungle gym" idea. I'm not crazy about PVC, & it's more slippery too- I like bamboo better- but just ideas anyway, & they're better suited to rat snakes or other snakes that are more slender & good at climbing- not so much boas. If you offer something like a rope hammock, make SURE there are no holes your snake can get stuck in, because trust me, they will. But they do like weaving thru ropes, & climbing. Again though, those are better for slim snakes.

[Bogertophis]

And don't forget to put in a fresh-water swimming pool...

[bcr229]

And don't forget to put in a fresh-water swimming pool...

Speaking from experience... if you do this inside the house, make sure the pool is small and light enough when filled that you can move it to the bathroom to pour the contents down the toilet.

[Bogertophis]

Speaking from experience... if you do this inside the house, make sure the pool is small and light enough when filled that you can move it to the bathroom to pour the contents down the toilet.

I was really joking, not that a snake wouldn't love a pool. Those plastic "kiddie pools" are very difficult to empty without spilling water all over; the water is very heavy, & no fun to bail either, but you might be able to siphon the water out to a drain? The kiddie pools also buckle under the weight of the water when dragged or tilted to empty out.

They're making a different kind of pool now now, I got one from Amazon a while back, intended for pets (dogs), & not only does it fold up compactly (which I LOVE), it also has a drain plug at the bottom so you don't have to lift & tilt the silly thing when it's full of water. So you might look for those, I can't remember the brand at all, but by now, there may be more than one.

My comments above were assuming this is a large boa...but if it's small, then you can easily do a "pool"- using a sturdy plastic storage container- they sell huge ones & all sizes. Just make sure you don't leave a snake unattended, or constantly swimming- water should be shallow & have traction & something to climb up onto. Many snakes freak out in water (when they're not used to it) due to the lack of traction on the bottom. You can put in a rubber bathmat to help that.

[EL-Ziggy]

I like the idea of a tall cat tree. My buddy made me a pvc jungle gym that the snakes seem to enjoy climbing on. The ladders sound like a good idea too.