Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, everyone. My name is Tanner and I am thinking about purchasing a Colombian or Argentine red tail boa in november at a reptile show in Columbia, South Carolina.
I am wondering if a 20 gallon long tank is suitable for a redtail boa for its first couple of years.

Also, I am wondering if you could tell me about any other supplys that I will need for my snake (heating lamps, etc.)

Thank You, Tanner.

A 20 Long is suitable for the first year at best. Also, instead of spending money repeatedly, invest in a decent enclosure that can be partitioned at first and use many hides, and cover so the animal can feel secure.

I have a female Colombian who was 32 inches this time last year, and is now 56 inches. A 20 long would have been a waste of money (unless you plan to put another baby in it everytime one outgrows it - which is genius!)

Whatever you do, research RTB's well. Be well prepared and you will quickly become addicted to boas.
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Thanks for replying, I have a neighbor that has a 55 gallon tank that he once used for saltwater fish but it had a slight leak, so he had to tahe it down. I'll ask him if I could buy it and use it for the snake's home.

Thank You, Tanner.

glass doesn't hold heat well, and screen tops don't hold humidity well.

If I were you I'd buy a plastic cage that your boa can be kept in its entire life.

I don't know if you are looking for the basic set-up or the best.

However, the best route, is a plastic cage suitable for the size of boa you purchase (kept in mind they will have to be moved into a larger enclosure).

Flex-watt heating or radient heat panels have proven time and again to be the best, safest and most reliable heating options.
I also recommend a digital proportional thermostat.

I use cages from Boaphile Plastics, which will have something that will fit your needs. Are you looking for a male or female? Does it matter? A male Colombian or Argentine could be kept in a 321D from Boaphile plastics. Get the undercage heat option. Herpstat thermostats work great, so do helix dbs 1000's. I like the metal probe on the herpstat though.

For my adult boas they are kept in 421D, for the basic cage, heat and the thermostat it will be about $325. This is a onetime cost because your boa will live its life in that cage.

Provided you have a proper sized cage, I find that a hide is not needed for boas. Mine are kept on paper towels so they are able to crawl under them if they wish.

Good luck!

Well, i'll take your advice about glass cages but the boaphile cages are out of my price range. Im not lookin for a commercial, high grade cage. I am just lookin for something to keep it in comfortably. I dont care how the cage looks as long as the snake likes it. I hear that cheap plastic sweater boxes (sterlite) make good affordable homes. I'll search the net for large sizes.

It sounds like you just said that you don't care about a good cage, that you just want something to keep it in. $300 is nothing related to the price of feeding an adult. Also, sterilites are really good for the first two years but something bigger will be needed.

If you really want to save money start with the right cage at the beginning. Nothing worse than having to buy three cages in less than four years. Boaphiles and similar cages are not really top of the line. Top of the line would be a room sized zoo quality display enclosure. A plastic cage, like a boaphile, is however an affordable , secure, easily heated, easily cleaned, well built cage that gives your pet the best possible conditions to prevent stress, disease, and escapes. In my mind it is a bargin.

Here is a cage that is a plastic sweaterbox (sterlite) The dimentions are 3.5 ft by 1.5 ft by .5 ft (3.5 feet long, 1.5 feet wide and 6 inches high. I think this might suit a colombian for its whole life.

here is a link to the box.
Link

sorry if the link doesn't work. here are the exact dimentions form Target.com.

• 39.5Lx20.25Wx7H"
• 74-qt. capacity
• 100% plastic; wipe with damp cloth