Considering Getting a RTB, some questions

[Riktasi]

I've been considering getting a red-tailed boa for a few weeks, now, and I learned from my manager that I would be able to get one for $60 if I order through him -- that kind of pushed my decision further.

Is it safe to keep 2 different kinds of snakes within the same room (not tank), right next to each other, or would I need to give some space between them? I have a ball python right now, and it has pretty much the same heat requirements as a boa, so I was thinking of sharing a basking lamp. Both will still have their own heating pads, though.

Also, is it okay to hold 2 different snakes at the same time? It's probably not a good idea even if they do become settled in, but I need to know for sure.

Lastly, would a 50+ gallon long aquarium be able to house an adult, full-grown boa? A co-worker said a 55 or so would work. I want to know if there are different options, such as plastic tubs and whatnot that are big enough.

[Gooseman]

For starters, do NOT house them in the same room for atleast a period of 6months to a year. This is to quarantine them from from the possible spread of IBD, mites, etc. IBD is very, very bad and can/will be spread between your snakes if your RTB happens to have it. Even after that time period, I personally would not house the animals next to each other just to be safe. So this means your going to need another basking lamp.

Next, ultimately they you're snakes so you can handle them however you want, however I find that having both my bp and RTB out at the same time just seems to stress out my ball and is something I avoid.

Yes, a full grown RTB can live in a 55gal tank, however RTBs have been known to break through the glass because of how hard they strike. I would look into getting either a boaphile or a reptile plastics tub for you boa once it gets some size on it.

[Gooseman]

http://www.reptiletubs.com/ The VE series is what I use to house my RTB, and works very well and is much more cost effective than a premium cage.

[kellysballs]

Charlie my first BCI came in a 55 gallon tank. He is 6.5-7ft long and as big around as a coffee mug. I did not feel that the 55 was at at big enough for him. He almost never moved around and he had rub injuries on his nose from the enclosure being to small and it was very hard to get a water tub big enough for him to soak in inside of it. My boyfriend and I built him a custom enclosure. However my 2nd Boa Jane is about 4-5ft long and I house her in one of those huge reinforced plastic christmas tree tubs. I bought it in Feb. at a discount. The only downfall on that one is she will eventually out grow it and it's lid is green with red latches. If you are going to use a tank I would go with a 75 at least for a full grown RTB. They are about the same length but they are a little wider which will help out a lot.
If you already have a 55 it will work for you for now. It should take your little guy a few years to out grow it.
I hope you enjoy him. RTB are one of my fav.

[kellysballs]

Guess I should have followed that link. The VE is just like Jane's tub.

[Riktasi]

Wow, yeah, that VE Reptile Tub is just about what I had in mind, and apparently its volume is about 67.45 gallons. I probably won't need it until maybe a year or two, since I'm getting the boa as a small baby.

[tmlowe5704]

I would not got one just because you can get one for $60. If it comes in from an unreputable source, I would pass on the deal. A boa coming in with IBD can wipe out most other snakes that come near it. A 55 gallon will more than likely not hold a full grown boa. If you insist on a cage, a 75 or 90 gallon (i forgot how big they were) will be fine. Whichever one is 4x2. Isn't a 55 gallon something like 4x1.5?

[Riktasi]

I'm ordering it through my manager, who orders all our reptiles from the same company. The reptile breeding company is giving my manager a nice price if he orders in groups of 3. My ball python was also ordered from that company, and so far he's doing fine, same with the ones still in the petstore. I will ask my manager about the retiles company, though, just to clarify. I'll also be going to another pet store - one that happens to have a giant reptiles section and an employee who actually breeds RTB's - to find out about their boas.

[tmlowe5704]

You should be careful about who you buy from no matter what, but especially with boas since they carry IBD with no signs whatsoever.

[frankykeno]

No matter what the species or the source purchased from you need to quarantine any incoming snake from your established and healthy snake. Having a mixed collection only makes that more important.

As far as housing you certainly don't need a massive tank or tub for a baby boa. A nice smaller tank or tub will do quite fine for the baby, let it move about and yet still feel safe and secure. RTB's are wonderful snakes but do grow fairly large so if you aren't wanting a quite big one stick with a male (make sure that's confirmed through proper popping or probing).