Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read online that it is not necessary to have a hide box for a boa but everytime my boa seems to find a little opening under the paper towels she camps down there. I know its recommended for a ball python to have a hide but is it NOT recommended for a boa to have a hide? Does this make them more shy or finicky eaters or does it not really matter?

Guidelines are just that, general observations / instructions. If your boa wants to hide, give it a place to hide. If it has a nice (to IT'S standards) place to hide, it might not crawl under the paper any more.

For an inexpensive hide, try a inverted cat litter box with arch cut in side. Smallest one you can get that will fit your boa would be the one it will like the best.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

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

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I provide a hide for all of my snakes. For the big ones, I use a box big enough they can get into (I work for a packaging distributor, so I get boxes easily). Once they get dirty or crushed, just take it out and pop in a new one. Most of the snakes use them, even the ones over 6', some just hang out and couldn't care less. I think it's always a good idea to provide it for the snake's comfort and security.
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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

Nothing wrong with hides.. I have some boas that will use them, and some that don't really care one way or another.

If you have a very open cage (ie a glass tank), hides tend to make a boa feel more comfortable and less out in the open (and less vulnerable to prey).

But, if yours is crawling under the paper constantly, good sign that yours might be one that would like a hide.

Just make certain whatever you use is easy enough for you to pick up - I have one hide that is very large and cool-looking, but it is so heavy and cumbersome to lift and manouver that if I want to get my snake out, it's a hassle.
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.1 Ball Python, 1.0 Hog Island Boa, 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 1.1 Saharan Sand Boa

It isn't necessary for a lot of boas, but it depends on the boas personality. I have a few that I give hides to and most I don't. Some are naturally more shy and thrive better with a hide box.
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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com
http://slitheringserpents.com

I think it's a matter of size, too.
Large snakes are not so insecure.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

question... is there ever a time where its not recommended to have a hide box available? Or should I just keep it there and if it uses it great, if it doesnt oh well. Thanks for all your posts

Don't know. Can't say for sure.
Snake might prefer a hide when in shed, or might like one while digesting a meal, or when breeding, or when cooled.
Seems ok to me if the snake never uses it.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Only drawback to a hide is if the snake uses it as a bathroom you might not "find" the easter egg right away. Other than that, no reason the hide can't stay even if not being used.

Although, if never being used, is a waste of time having.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

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

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

All 4 of my boas use their hides. As they grew larger, I found that a plastic dish drying pan works the best (I cut a door out for it and lined w/ electrical tape to smooth edges). I also have a large wood perch, the type used for parrots, in 1 cage and my female sometimes lounges over it and onto her hide. I try to put a hide on the cool side and hot side if possible so snake can "hide" where it wants to in the temp it wants. Sometimes they stay inside the hides and sometimes they hide behind them or beside them. Amazing how they curl up inside w/ their head looking out the door to watch for things.
Donna

Link

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Donna DeYoung
River Mist Reptiles

0.4 Andalusian breeding horses
1.0 Peruvian Paso endurance horse
0.1 Clydesdale/Paint dressage horse
2.0 Cockatiels
1.0 Chihuahua-German Shepherd mix
1.0 Hypo Dream Pastel BCI
0.1 Hypo Het Albino (doublehet sunglow) BCI
1.0 Sunglow BCI
0.1 Albino Arabesque BCI