Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking to start breeding boas, but at the same time I don't want to spend all my money on cages alone. I really like the boaphiles and would still consider their cages, but the racks are very expensive. Seeing how a lot of you have good input on this topic, I was wondering what you all thought of as good cages.

If you want to go the cage route I think there are only two real options for boa keepers.
Either Boaphile Plastics, or Proline Cages.

Research both carefully, materials, construction, price, and see what fits your need.

Cageing, heating, food, and thermostats to raise your boas and keep them healthy to breed is expensive, but well worth it in the end when you have that litter!
Buy the best first, that way it is a one time cost!
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http://www.GilbertBoas.com/www/

I'm glad that someone else asked before me ) . I've been having the same issues trying to decide what caging to go with. I actually plan on having about 10 boas by the end of the year so that info is helpfull. Any advice on wether a tank is "too big" for an animal? Would a 322d boaphile cage bee too big for a 24" female hypo??? or too small for a 40" guyana red-tail?

I just sent you an email. However a 4'x2' is standard for an adult boa. With the types you have that would be the best investment. Also given their current sizes they would be fine to move into one now for the rest of their lives. You may need a hide for the smaller Hypo though till it gets a little bigger and more secure in the open cage.
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http://www.GilbertBoas.com/www/

For some reason my original post was deleted. I had talked to many of the larger cage makers. They all seemed pretty similar. Except for Customer service. I found Constrictors Northwest. Were the best in that regard. I was going to get their cages, but lucked out and purchased two used locally. I have had them set up for a week. They seem to hold the temperature well and I am very happy with them.

You can build a 4'x2' cage yourself out of 3/4" plywood or melamine for under $100. Its pretty easy, as you're basically just making a big box with a door.
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LONG LIVE METAL!!!!

MY COLLECTION:
1.0 '04 Columbian BCI
0.1 '05 Blood Python
1.2 Ball Pythons

MY WISHLIST (I turn 18 on June 16th ):
A Northern Blue-Tongue Skink
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Hogg Island Boas
1.0 Salmon BCI
0.2 Columbian BCI
1.1 Sumatran Short-Tail Pythons
1.1 Borneo Short-Tail Pythons
1.1 Dumerils Boas
1.1 Suriname BCC
1.2 Spotted Pythons
2.4 African House Snakes
1.2 Rubber Boas
2.4 Bearded Dragons
1.2 Rankins Dragons
2.6 Crested Geckos
1.1 purebred Dobermans
0.1 black German Shepherd
2 ferrets
A Senegal Parrot
A Sun Conure

That is possible, but there are a lot of variables. The talent and skill of the builder. Also the ability to make the cage water tight. Without risking the health of your snakes with chemicals. I have done both and if you can find used cages that are in good shape you would be ahead of the game. Your also have to factor in your time. Materials are just a part of the total cost of a cage.

>>That is possible, but there are a lot of variables. The talent and skill of the builder. Also the ability to make the cage water tight. Without risking the health of your snakes with chemicals. I have done both and if you can find used cages that are in good shape you would be ahead of the game. Your also have to factor in your time. Materials are just a part of the total cost of a cage.

You don't need much skill to make a basic cage which is just a wood box with a hinged piece of plexiglass for a door. There are several paints and sealers you can use that aren't harmful to reptiles, such as Drylok latex masonry sealer, water-based polyurethane, or high gloss latex bathroom paint. As for time, you can get the store to cut the wood and plexiglass for maybe $10, which leaves about an hour to assemble the cage and another hour or so to apply paint or sealer. I'd rather spend $100 and 2 hours on a cage than $200-$300 or more. If you need several cages, you can spend a Saturday making 5 cages and save $500-$1,000. I'd consider that well worth my time. And most used cages I've seen weren't very cheap.

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LONG LIVE METAL!!!!

MY COLLECTION:
1.0 '04 Columbian BCI
0.1 '05 Blood Python
1.2 Ball Pythons

MY WISHLIST (I turn 18 on June 16th ):
A Northern Blue-Tongue Skink
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Hogg Island Boas
1.0 Salmon BCI
0.2 Columbian BCI
1.1 Sumatran Short-Tail Pythons
1.1 Borneo Short-Tail Pythons
1.1 Dumerils Boas
1.1 Suriname BCC
1.2 Spotted Pythons
2.4 African House Snakes
1.2 Rubber Boas
2.4 Bearded Dragons
1.2 Rankins Dragons
2.6 Crested Geckos
1.1 purebred Dobermans
0.1 black German Shepherd
2 ferrets
A Senegal Parrot
A Sun Conure

just got my 3rd boaphile cage delivered TODAY. this time I got a 4x2 with removable divider and the cage is light and easy to move around, very sharp to look at. I prefer the 17.5" tall ones for viewing your snakes, but the 11.5" tall ones are easier to heat. Super easy to clean and keep humidity in and heat. not very expensive when you factor durability and safety.
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Donna DeYoung
River Mist Reptiles

0.4 Andalusian horses
0.1 Clydesdale/Paint horse
2.0 Crazy Cockatiels
1.0 Cheery Chihuahua
1.0 Hypo Dream Pastel BCI
0.1 Hypo Het Albino (doublehet sunglow) BCI
1.0 Sunglow BCI (coming soon)
0.1 Albino Arabesque BCI (coming soon)