Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the best tank to keep a red tail boa? I know boaphile makes good tanks but they are very ugly. I don't like having a large plastic tub in my living room. I like the showcase cages and have thought about melamie cages. I also like to see my snake and don't want to have to look through a small opening in the front. Anybody have any ideas?

Deven has some great looking cages. He makes cages that look like Zoo exhibits.
http://www.cagesbydesign.com/
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Joel Pretz
JP Reptiles

Yes those cages do look nice. Do you know how well they hold humidity and would I need a moisture resistant bottom or the standard bottom is ok?

I don't think the boaphile cages are ugly at all. In fact if you get the 18" tall one, and put aquarium backing on the inside and get it with the light installed.... a little bark, a few plants and it is a GREAT looking display cage. Not only that, but the snakes seem to feel at ease in them. After all, what good is a pretty cage if your snakes are stressed out in them because they don't feel secure?
Just my opinion,
Kathy

I will agree that a snake can get stressed out in an aquarium. I am using 2 now. I have the sides and back covered so they can only see out the front. I don't like the plastic look, which is my opinion. I do like the aquarium look but I want to stack the tanks and need the front to open. ALso aquariums do not hold humidity well. That is why I was looking at the showcase cages. A little nicer then plastic but the same design. I don;t know much about them and also cages by design look nice. I would like somne feedback on them if you know anything about them.

Thank You

Living room - duh, you would want something that looks nice BUT, IMO not the best place to keep your boas. I find it's easier to keep the room warm and heat the cages a little than to make the cage the only heat source. Also, they can get stressed in higher traffic areas. Lastly, photo period can be thrown off. Photo period NOT an issue if you don't plan on breeding.

If you still decide to keep them in the living room, then I would reccomend lots of thermal mass. In other words, "thick, heavy cage walls". That will allow the cage to "store" heat and slow down any temp fluctuations. Since it's your living room, I'm assuming you run the furnace and/or AC o make it comfortable for you and your family? The cage will need to stay warmer inside than the room.

These cages are not large enough for Boas but might give you some ideas for building your own or for ordering from some cage company. I designed and built these for my Brazilian Rainbow Boas.

>>What is the best tank to keep a red tail boa? I know boaphile makes good tanks but they are very ugly. I don't like having a large plastic tub in my living room. I like the showcase cages and have thought about melamie cages. I also like to see my snake and don't want to have to look through a small opening in the front. Anybody have any ideas?

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
12.24 BRB
11.13 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

WOW!!! Nice cages. Also the snakes are not in my living room but in my office where it's only me or they are alone. I said living room because some people think I am crazy having snakes in my office. Do you sell those cages?

Thanks, I don't think you're nuts but then again, I might not be the best judge of sanity! I have over a hundred snakes at home right now with all the babies.

No, I am not selling them, they would be way too expensive. I guesstimate the raw material costs to be in excess of $1000 not including any costs for labor or profit. Add to that shipping would be very difficult/expensive. That's the real problem with custom wood cages, very expensive materials and too heavy to ship. If you're building yourself, then comparable or even a bit less than than the plastic cages but much labor to be added.

>>WOW!!! Nice cages. Also the snakes are not in my living room but in my office where it's only me or they are alone. I said living room because some people think I am crazy having snakes in my office. Do you sell those cages?
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
12.24 BRB
11.13 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

My cousin and I were talking about this the other day. I like and use Boaphiles, but I was looking at options for displays as well.

We though, why not buy the 1/4 inch solid Oak (found in plywood area of Home Depot) and cut it to frame the cages. You could cover top and sides for every exposed surface, and make a frame for the front. As long as you cut notches for the hinges, and attach it directly to the plastic, it would not hinder the door from opening, and it would look great. You could stain it to match the furniture of your living room or office.

Best part, you still get the high quality secure Boaphile. It just looks a little different on the outside.

My room back home has two closets, each 4' long and 30" deep. So I took the doors off one, removed the tracks, and painted the inside. Put a stand in there, and my cages fit perfectly. To be honest, it looks GOOD!

np

First I am up at school right now, and that stack of Boaphiles is back home. Second, I'm putting ordering more cages, so I'll get pics when I am done.

Basically picture a stack of boaphile cages, with a wood stand underneath, and bordered by walls on all sides.

I also need to get some pictures of the locking mechanism I put together for my racks, those are up here with me, I just haven't taken any pictures.

if you were looking for pictures of the framed boaphiles, sorry. Just an idea still, haven't gone through with it. I happen to like the black cages, goes with the electronics and all.

If you want a cage that looks great and is thick enough to hold the heat in your living room check out www.boamaster.com and click on "cages".