Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey y'all,
I always had reptiles of one kind or another when I was a kid and young adult. Well now I am the ancient age of 40 and I want to get back into snakes. I want a redtail boa specifically, but a lot has changed in 20-25 years, all we had then available was Colmbian Redtails. I really like the Surinam's but heard they don't make the greatest pets, is this true? Most recommend a Imperator, I think that is the spelling. Any advice on a sub species would be of great help, I know I want a toungster, also if you can recommend a breeder that would be great.
Now for the cage. I was thinking 4ft long x 2ft wide x 2 ft tall. I will use 3/4" birch or oak plywood, for the back, sides, and probably 1/2" for the bottom. I will cover the inside with 1/8" plexiglass for easy cleaning. The front I planned on dividing into two equal 1/4" glass sections. The top would be 1/2 solid and maybe 1/2 a screened frame that would slide in a Dado or groove. I thought a full screened top would disipate to much heat. I would make the solid part removable as well for cleaning purposes. Will the stick on heating pads heat through 1/2" plywood and 1/8" plexiglass, or should I make the bottom 1/4" glass instead?
I have seen many cages where they use sliding doors to access the interior, do y'all think this might be a better way to go? I was planning on having one large stick on pad on the bottom of the end that had the solid top, then over the screened top section I would have a heat lamp, and adjust the heat accordingly at each end. Or would it be better to regulate the two ends with different size under tank heaters each controlled with a different thermostat, one at 82 degrees and maybe 95 for the other? I think this would be easier than heating with light, because if you heat with light you need two different bulbs one UV heat lamp for day time and one infared for nightime, and I am not sure how that would work. If I use the 1/4" plate glass for the bottom that would give me the most heat transfer, is it reasonable to think that undertank heaters alone can heat this large of an area? BTW. I plan on keeping the snake in a downstairs room where I have a hot tub that stays covered. The humidity level stays regular between 55 and 60%. I have a dehumidifier that keeps the entire room at that level. Well as you can see I have a lot of questions and y'all probably get tired of us newbies but I would really appreciate the help. I would love a Surinam as long as they aren't to snippy. I know snakes will vary by individual like people but some species are known to be more aggressive than others.
Thanks everyone!!
Kevin

It's not that Surinames make bad pets, but since you are just getting back into keeping boas imperator would be better since they can usually stand up to the small mistakes and errors most starting keepers go through.

Your choices of material for your cage are very good, however with everything you listed you are looking at a VERY expensive unit. I would recommend looking around at some of the plastic cage companies. Three that I would recommend for full size cages would be Boaphile Plastics, Proline Cages, and Vision. Googleing all of those names will take you to their sites.

We must have been typing at the same time.

I would look into one of the many manufactured plastic snake cages that are on the market today. By the time you buy the hardwood plywood, the plexiglass to line it, the heating, etc....you will have spent nearly as much as one of the plastic cages. Plus the plastic cage will be easy to clean, can come with heat already attatched, be lightweight, and will hold humidity great. If your not sure, just price everything you'll need for the homemade enclosure before hand to see how they compare pricewise.

For the snake, the normal Boa constrictor imperator is the most common and easiest ot keep. The surinams B. c. constrictor are not to difficult, but they do get larger, you'll need to build a bigger cage (6x2), and they cost a little more. I'd get an imperator since you haven't kept reptiles in a while, but it's really up to you.

Thanks everyone,
I didn't notice we had a cage section on this forum so I will post the cage questions over there. As I said I am a cabinetmaker by trade so I really prefer to make something out of wood, I think the wife will like the looks of a wood cage verses a plastic one in the house. I have priced all the materials and can build the cage for around $120, not including heating or lighting. I will check out some of the plastic types to get some ideas. Just wondering how y'all heater, lights, heating pads, both ??
Thanks
Kevin