Adopting Common Boa

[Rakk101]

Hello, My wife and I keep BPs and a corn snake but saw a Columbian Boa for adoption that the owner was going to freeze because it struck her.

I would like to rescue this boa but do not know what size tub it would need, it is about 5ft long right now. Any suggestions for tub size and what size flexwatt or zoomed for the tub size would be appreciated.

[starmom]

Well, I don't keep my boas in tubs but in reptile cages. Not much help to you! However, what I can tell you is that I will be housing my three boas (females) in AP T20's that measure 6x2x2; each in their own cage, of course!

[Rakk101]

Thanks, I will be getting cages in the near future but I did not plan on adopting another snake so I was just looking for a temporary enclosure until I can get the new one shipped next week.

I have an 85 gallon aquarium, do you think that would be enough room for now? It has a sliding screen top with locks and I could cover the top with aluminum foil like I did when I first got my ball python to keep temps and humidity up.

[starmom]

I have no experience with using tanks for boas.
Just remember that a 5' boa is amazingly strong and I would be nervous that it would pop the lid off or break the screen out.
I have a ton of respect for large and powerful snakes and would caution you to not think of it as a ball python....

[Rakk101]

It is one of those sliding screen lids (do you know the type I mean) think it would be able to get out of that?

This snake sounds like it had a rough go of it while with the previous owner I am just trying ot give him the most comfy home untill I can get my AP cage delivered. The rescue does not want to hold on to him very long I guess they are over run with iguanas right now.

[starmom]

Perhaps you could do the lock screen thing (and I do know what you mean and I would suppose that a boa can easily pop it out of the tracks) and then wrap some tight bungee cords around the tank until the AP comes and you get it put together.

Also, and I failed to mention this before, props to you and your wife for rescuing this snake

[ncbloods]

Hello, My wife and I keep BPs and a corn snake but saw a Columbian Boa for adoption that the owner was going to freeze because it struck her.

They were going to euthanize a boa for striking at someone? Ridiculous.

Good job on adopting this snake. At least now it won't have a ignorant keeper.

[slither9192]

Do you know what the measurements on the tank are? An 85 gallon tank sounds like it should be fine for now. I wouldn't be too worried about the boa getting out of the tank, but you can never be too careful.

[Rakk101]

Thanks everybody, adoption has gone great so far. We got him Friday night and he seems like a very docile snake, sounds to me like the original owner was doing something very wrong with him. He has a burn on his tail but it is healed up from the adoption agency and he ate the first night we had him at home. I brought him to my vet today and he is clear of any paracites or mites

Now to talk my wife into letting me get a young Boa from Tinley Park in October

[SatanicIntention]

My 8ft female is in a VE-175 tub from www.reptiletubs.com. She's quite comfy in there and it's easy to heat/clean/whatever. During xmas, WalMart sells the same tubs as X-mas tree boxes. I think they run about $25.