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cage requirements for adult RTB

Posted By:

fyrresmok

In Relation To:

Rocky Balboa

Scott and I are still working on plans for a cage/computer desk combo for our 6' RTB and, in the process of investigating heat sources, we began to question the dimensions that we had settled on for the actual cage section. One company we contacted about radiant heat panels claimed that our desired dimensions of 24'"x 24'"x 66" were too tall for an adult RTB and we should lower the height to 15" to help minimize heating costs. However, most of the research that I have done suggests that optimum cage height is closer to the 24" of our original design. The cage/desk combo began as a way to optimize space and we have no plans of expanding our collection or beginning a breeding program, so cage size is not really an issue aside from it's relevance to our snake's health and well being. Any input would be appreciated as our design is almost complete and we would like to start building.


Points:	150
Topics:	Caging , Heating
Tags:	Caging, Heating, Height, RTB
Species:	Boas > Large Boas > Boa constrictor constrictor
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Assisted Answer

2/19/2009 7:37:26 PM

Kaiyudsai

you really need 48 " X 24 " of floor space for an adult..... they tend to be more terrestrial when they get older..... I use 4X2X1' cages for adults... you can stack them easily also

Assisted Answer

2/19/2009 8:24:22 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

We use Boaphile cages and they measure 4' x 2' x 11.5 " - so basically identical to Kai.

Accepted Answer

2/20/2009 3:27:29 AM

Jeffriey

Same here 4' x 2' x 11 3/4" so I'm inbetween Sonja and Kai LOL. 12" to 16" heights are typical for stacking cages. Since you only have the one boa and this is the base of the desk there isn't anything wrong with the 24" height or 36" or that being said there's no such thing as too big a cage. The costs and the ability to control temps, humidity do become greater with enclosure size. You may want to put platforms or thick branches in there to make use of the space where your boa will climb to rest but as Kai said they get tend to be more terrestrial as they get older so the upper half of the cage could be wasted since heat rises. As for the radiant heat panel they may be saying your cage height is too tall because their units might have only been tested on lower profile cages. You're going to have to strategically place it, possibly find a side mounting unit instead or have supplementary heating on the lower section unless you have different levels the boa can climb to where it's comfortable. You may not be able to check all of this until you have the unit built because of varying factors such as room temps, your cage construction etc. You can pick up an infrared heat gun to check your low and hot spots. Pro product claims to have 200 different sizes. Buy the next size up that's recommended and use a thermostat to control it. That might cover all your bases.

You might want to consider while you're building the cage/desk combo is the option to put another level in there in case you do change your mind to expand your collection. I keep telling myself no more snakes all the time. The lower section of my sons desk is now a big enclosure for my monitor as I look to optimize for more space.

Member Comment

1/16/2011 11:55:45 PM

abi21491

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Member Comment

7/8/2015 4:34:32 AM

princeskeeper

125 gallon deck box .

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