Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know variations of this question get asked all the time on these forums, so let me apologize in advance. I would post in the caging forum, but that seems geared more towards the do-it-yourselfer (which I am not! I'm about as handy as a snake). All my caging will be for boas anyways. I am planning on getting new cages in the near future. I now have a mixture of Vision, AP, and Habitat Systems cages. I have been eyeballing Boaphile products for several years now and have heard stories of them bowing. However I have never heard this from anyone who actually owns one. I'm sure there are people on here that have had Boaphiles for years and was wondering what their opinions were. If I were rich, I would just get all Habitat Systems cages. The price on those has almost tripled since I first bought them in 2001! The AP cages are awesome, but I'm just not a big fan of heat cable. Anyways, I know that any cage can look great for the first few months or so, but I'm looking at long term here.
thanks,
Josh

Hey Josh. I use Boaphile cages and I am quite fond of them. For the last ten or twelve years I have been breeding colubrids and recently switched my collection over to boas. I have owned the boaphile shoebox racks and the sweater box racks for the last few years. They are worth every penny. I recently received my shipment of four footers from them. 421D's with the expandable sides so they can convert into eight foot cages and double heat. For added security, I ordered them with three hinges and three latches on each cage. So far, I love them as well. Although I have not bred the boas in them yet, they hold temps well, humidity well, and are very easy to clean. I have them stacked four high by two longways so they can open up to be fourt eight foot cages. On the left stack I have all the heat on the left side of the cages and on the right stack its on the right side. I have one helix running the four "upper" level cages and another helix running the "lower" four cages so the heat rising issue is a non factor. I have them backed up on a Ranco. Also, I have used the animal plastic sweater racks for the last few years for my adult corns and kings. I would stay away from the heat cable as you eluded to and they are very heavy. I just sold all of mine and they have been replaced by a sweaterbox rack made by Rich at Reptile Basics. (Reptilebasics.com) I plan to use them for my future "keepers". I have a few snakes in them now and I really love them. They are very very well made. He also has four footers available and you may want to check his website out as well. Here are some photos. Best of luck. Mike Panichi

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honesty is my only policy

Boaphiles are the very best cages money can buy. I have not used the drawers, but I have over 30 four footers, and they work very well. Some I have had for roughly 4 years.

i just bought 2 of them i think the model is 322d they are 36 long 24 deep and 17.5 high they are great i drilled holes in the sides and got shower curtain holders to put up a wooden dowel across so my scaley friends can climb up on something they are thes bcages money can buy in my opnion easy to clean and vent extremely well if ur thinking of getting one dont for get about the black hinges with locks i went all out with a flouresent bulb heating pad cost me about 300 each but def worth the money

I agree completly with Chris. I have cages from many makers and boaphile are by far the best. I just ordered more cages.

Christian
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christian@redwoodreptiles.com
www.redwoodreptiles.com

I have had them since I bought my first Boa.

The 421D is perfect for adult boas, I do not think there is a better cage on the market. Period!

With the Visions there are "ridges" at the bottom, which don't exist on the Boaphiles. They have a smooth floor. A plus.

The AP I have heard problems with the joints, the Boaphiles are "welded" with a liquid form of the plastic used for the cages. If you have ever used a plastic cement you know what I mean.

While I think Habitat Systems are the BEST for arboreal snakes, and their racks are the best plastic racks, I really do not think their cages offer anything that Boaphile don't for your animals.

Boaphile plastics were designed for Boas, you won't find anything better!

...that I have several females that are 15 lbs. and I've seen pics of smaller boas in Boaphiles, but was concerned with bowing in the larger animals cages.
thanks to all who replied
Josh

is around 25 lb. and does just fine in her Boaphile cage. I have not noted any flexing or sagging at all with her cage.

Denny