Delving into the world of RTB's, got some Q's

[Enve]

I've been keeping BP's for just about a year now and recently decided to thin out a bit. I've been looking to get a nice display snake and after some debating have decided upon a RTB. I figured it was a good next step from the BP's. So anyway I'm in the process of getting my tank setup for him so I can pick him up later this week. I have a 10 gallon critter cage, cypress mulch as a substrate, UTH on a thermostat, heat light on a thermostat for my ambient temps (gets cold here in the winter), thermometer, water dish, 1 hide, and a branch for climbing. My questions are after doing some googling I think I need 50-60% humidity but the temps I've seen have been kind of scattered. What is recommended around these parts (never been steered wrong here before ). I'm looking at a BCC or BCI if that makes a difference. let me know if my setup seems good. Also I've heard RTB's are slower growers than BP's, if that's the case how long with the 10gal last me if I get a hatchling? Thanks in advance! I will have plenty-o-pics when I pic him up.

[JimiSnakes]

Everything sounds good, but they don't grow that slow. He/she will outgrow a ten gallon in about six months MAX. I keep my temps around 90-92 on the hot side and low 80's on the cool. I would definitely go with a bci for a first boa cause bcc's require a bit more care and precision in fluxing temps (which a tank won't work for)...they also can be a bit more of a handful than most common bci's.

[crusher]

my boa is about 3-4 mos old and is like 2-2.5 ft

[starmom]

Hey there- and welcome to the dark side!!

Lots of members also keep Bci's and so others might be popping in to add to your questions.

What I'll do is echo Jimi's thoughts about purchasing a Bci and to hold off a while before tickling your toes in Bcc waters (so to speak!)

Bcc's require a stable environment and are just a bit trickier.

Bci's are terrific snakes; I have three of them. They each have a different personality and are very interactive snakes- when they want to be!! I have each of mine in 3x2x1 cages from RBI heated with RHP's. Two of my boas are yearlings and one is just a wee baby. The two yearlings will each be getting a 4x2x6 cage as they do so enjoy climbing!! They have both pretty much outgrown their RBI cages at this point!

Boas are surprisingly strong, even when they are young, and so I urge you to make certain that your boa is secure in your tank. Yours will quickly outgrow the little 10g but in the meantime you can decide what you'll put him or her into next! I have discovered that RHP's are really terrific for bumping up ambient temps as well as allowing the boas their climbing experience since the heat is coming from the top- like the sunshine- and warming things down below.

Anyway, I'm excited for you and I hope that prior to qt'ing your boa you'll snap some pictures to share

Ooo, a point: Keep Mr. or Ms. Boa away from your ball pythons for at least 6 months. Boas can be asymptomatic carriers of IBD for at least 6 months, so follow very strict QT procedures when interacting with the snakes (always do the boa last; no sharing of hemostats, etc etc etc.)

Again- have a great time picking your new boa- they are really fun snakes!!!

[Rakk101]

Jimi and Starmom hit on everything Humidity wise I keep mine as close to 60% as possible, never going under 55%.

Good luck with finding the perfect Boa

[Enve]

Great info all, thanks!! Going to get my temps and humidity stable and will look at a BCI, hopefully it will be ready by this weekend. Starmom, I will definitely grab some pics and he will be upstairs in my living room, my BP's are in my snake room which is in the basement and I have double everything for care and maintenance so they should be good to go I guess my other question would be if he will outgrow the 10gal so quickly what size should I look at? Can I jump right into a 55gal (in a few months when he gets close to outgrowing the 10gal) again i'm used to my bp's which are in a rack and I stepped them up from various sized Tupperware containers as to not stress them out. If I had enough stuff in the 55gal to make him feel more secure would that be ok or should I just get like a 30gal then jump up again?

[Enve]

Well I got my temps all set and ready to go I'll be going to NERD Saturday to see what they have available.

[starmom]

Wow!! A road trip to NERD!!! Lucky you!!!
As for cage size... all I can say is what I have done. All of my boas went right into the 3x2x1 RBI cages! Yes, even the wee one who I got from Jimi!!
However, and this is a biggie: These cages are dark on all of the sides and on the top and back...so, a glass enclosure might make a huge difference with the security aspect.
And, again, at a year old and another a couple of months older still, they are ready for their 4x2x6 cages Breaking the bank they are~ but these cages will be their forever homes

[Enve]

Wow!! A road trip to NERD!!! Lucky you!!!
As for cage size... all I can say is what I have done. All of my boas went right into the 3x2x1 RBI cages! Yes, even the wee one who I got from Jimi!!
However, and this is a biggie: These cages are dark on all of the sides and on the top and back...so, a glass enclosure might make a huge difference with the security aspect.
And, again, at a year old and another a couple of months older still, they are ready for their 4x2x6 cages Breaking the bank they are~ but these cages will be their forever homes

I'm spoiled, i'm about 30-40 min from NERD Thanks for the info on the cage. I'm going to pick up a RBI cage w/ a RHP in the next couple weeks. I can't wait!! I've always wanted a RTB but the wife didn't want a big snake so I went with the BP's instead, but after enough complaining she gave in so I'm psyched!

[starmom]

I'm so happy for you!!