Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is my dilemma I have 1 Ball Python that is mostly full grown living well in a 40 gallon aquarium, I do need to up the humidity at shed time because of the screen top but thats not so hard. Well I just purchased a 10 month old Boa Constrictor Imperator and I know that I need to start thinking of permanant enclosure ideas, as of now she is ok in a 20 gallon tank, but not for long! The problem is I cant decide on a pre-manufactured enclosure like Vision or Boaphile, they seem to be well made and enviromentally ideal but they are expensive for the largest ones and seem to me to not be as appealling visually as most of the custom built stuff (I like to have an exhibit worthy of the beauty of the boas. So should I go with building one? Does most people agree on melamine? Can I house a young boa in the same size enclosure that I will have to build for when its grown? Is there any sources that could make the planning process easier with emphasis on lighting, humidity and heating? Please! Please! anybody with experience in this problem have any info that you could share?

Melamine is good. Ceramic heating elements or radiant heat panels are awesome for heating. Big Apple Herp sells wire cages for light fixtures, and they work great with ceramic bulbs. I use this setup in a Vision cage.

If you don't have the tools to build your own cage, try a cabinet maker. They can make you a melamine shell for very cheap. I would get a 4ft Vision or Neo or other plastic cage though. You'll be glad you did.

Big snakes are not cheap to house. If money is that much of an issue than maybe stick with a smaller temperate-zone snake that can use just a heat pad and a tank. Boas can cost alot to house and heat when done right. If you have tools, time and know-how, the cost of the cage can be reduced to the cost of the raw materials.

Heating and temperature control can cost as well. $30 ceramic bulbs or $70 heat panels (of course they last many years without replacement, so the cost is all up front) and at least $50 for a thermostat. Adult boas need alot of cage area heated. Don't skimp in this area.

So, a Boaphile 4x2 cage (maybe $220 shipped??) a radiant heat panel ($70) and a Ranco thermostat ($60). That isn't a fortune. Did you think having a pet boa would be free?

No I dont think any animal is going to be "free", the snake alone cost me $300 and I planned to spend much more on supporting and housing her. The cost isnt the problem, I am an advid reptile addict and choose to use my resources for that love. However I was simply trying to get a feel for what most veteren boa owners have tried and used over the many more years than myself. Just trying to save myself some trouble at the expense of a few good peoples shared experiences