Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As I've posted before, we just got a 3 week old Purple Albino retic. She's almost 3 feet already and knowing she can't stay in the 36x18x12 critter tank (glass with screen locking latch top) much longer (fear of pushing out), we've been looking into snake enclosure manufacturers. I've read that Visions have their problems, but I like the fact that Boaphile cages are expandable. Cage by Design is OFF THE CHART in prices...beautiful ofcourse, but WAY TOO MUCH especially we don't need all the glitz and glamour! Any other manufacturers you might suggest? What companies to stay away from? Also, Flexwatt...any problems there? By the way, she'll be a pet, not a breeder, so we're not speed feeding her.
Be easy on me...I'm a newbie with the retic (we have 11 corns, but I know that doesn't count!!!).
THANKS A TON GUYS (AND GALS!!)
Jennifer

I use BoaPhile and they are great, check out the cages and the price includes shipping! Breeders like Bob Clark keep adult retics in 6ft enclousures so Jeffs cages should be big enough. Regards, Big Jim

I've looked into the boaphile's, just never bought any. Found some great deals on vision cages for the smaller retics and they seem to work out just fine for myself. Here's my blond in hers.

I use Monster Cages for my large snakes. I don't know where you are located but I am close enough to pick the cages up so I am not real sure on shipping but the price of the cage is very reasonable. They are very easy to clean and heat. The only thing I had to do was put some ventilation holes in the side of the cage.

>>As I've posted before, we just got a 3 week old Purple Albino retic. She's almost 3 feet already and knowing she can't stay in the 36x18x12 critter tank (glass with screen locking latch top) much longer (fear of pushing out), we've been looking into snake enclosure manufacturers. I've read that Visions have their problems, but I like the fact that Boaphile cages are expandable. Cage by Design is OFF THE CHART in prices...beautiful ofcourse, but WAY TOO MUCH especially we don't need all the glitz and glamour! Any other manufacturers you might suggest? What companies to stay away from? Also, Flexwatt...any problems there? By the way, she'll be a pet, not a breeder, so we're not speed feeding her.
>>Be easy on me...I'm a newbie with the retic (we have 11 corns, but I know that doesn't count!!!).
>>THANKS A TON GUYS (AND GALS!!)
>>Jennifer

I keep all my larger snakes in Boaphile cages. I've had a few issues with snake poop getting stuck in them, but with enough brute cleaning, it comes out.

They are heated with flexwatt, which is a great heat source as it works well, heats evenly, and saves $ on the power bill. Flexwatt needs to be controlled by some sort of thermostat/dimmer/rheostat. It cannot just be plugged into a wall on it's own or you're looking for a fire.

The cage construction is really good, I have never had an escape from my Boaphile cages. However, if they are dropped, they crack easily. Usually not to the point where a snake could escape, however.

Your retic is going to get quite large over the years, especially with being female. Don't try to limit her feed too much, or you might end up with a malnourished snake. On the other hand, don't overfeed, either. I feed my 7' male one XXL rat every other week and my babies get fed appropriate size thawed rats weekly up until they are big enough to take medium rats.

I have seen people feed their retic two, three meals a week and sometimes they end up with an overweight snake, which is just as bad as an underweight snake. Who wants a 15ft sausage?

-C
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