Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So my dumerils will grow to an average size of 6'-7'. Is a 4x2x18 cage gonna cut it? I am thinking no but I could be wrong. Maybe I should go to a 6x3x2 cage? What size you guys and gals keep your bigger boas in? I just don't want to build a cage that will be too small, because then I'll have to buy another snake for it, because not using it would be wasteful.
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Tim W.

These 2 tracks look identical to me. The metal one is for glass, the plastic one is for lightweight. I know acrylic is lightweight but will it hold an adult boa, but what if I use plexiglass, say a 6'x2' door, is it going to weigh a ton? If I use acrylic, it would save me $70 off the start on tracks (2x$45 vs 2x$11).

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?&offerings_id=2275
and
http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?page=127

Maybe I should go with a fold down door?
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Tim W.

>>These 2 tracks look identical to me. The metal one is for glass, the plastic one is for lightweight.

Both of those door tracks can be used with glass. I have a plastic track that I've been running 1/4" glass on now for almost 3 years. I even had a sand substrate in the cage that my Bearded Dragon kicked into the track on a regular basis. Even with all the sand in the track it has held up very well. I did eventually shift to a less abrasive substrate, however.

Maintain the polished edge on your glass and occasionaly spray the track with silicone or Teflon based lubricant. I will last for years.

z..I know acrylic is lightweight but will it hold an adult boa, but what if I use plexiglass, say a 6'x2' door, is it going to weigh a ton? If I use acrylic, it would save me $70 off the start on tracks (2x$45 vs 2x$11).

I'm not sure what you're asking. Plexiglass is a type of acrylic, they are not different.

Again, the plastic track is fine with glass. Dozens of us here along on this forum have used it that way. If you go through Kingsnake's Photo Gallery you can find countless cages with the Knap and Vogt plastic glass track. You can't miss it since it's an obvious orange color.

Also, do you need two tracks because you need two cages or do you think you need to buy the upper and lower track separately for one cage? I ask only because I know people who have purchased two thinking that's what they needed to do.

Regarding whether to use sliding or fold-down doors, use what you prefer.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

OK, in the size I need (37"x24" glass is $33 and acrylic costs $47. I meant to say glass down there not plexiglass. I needed 2 tracks cause it only comes in 4 ft sections.

>>>>These 2 tracks look identical to me. The metal one is for glass, the plastic one is for lightweight.
>>
>>Both of those door tracks can be used with glass. I have a plastic track that I've been running 1/4" glass on now for almost 3 years. I even had a sand substrate in the cage that my Bearded Dragon kicked into the track on a regular basis. Even with all the sand in the track it has held up very well. I did eventually shift to a less abrasive substrate, however.
>>
>>Maintain the polished edge on your glass and occasionaly spray the track with silicone or Teflon based lubricant. I will last for years.
>>
>>z..I know acrylic is lightweight but will it hold an adult boa, but what if I use plexiglass, say a 6'x2' door, is it going to weigh a ton? If I use acrylic, it would save me $70 off the start on tracks (2x$45 vs 2x$11).
>>
>>I'm not sure what you're asking. Plexiglass is a type of acrylic, they are not different.
>>
>>Again, the plastic track is fine with glass. Dozens of us here along on this forum have used it that way. If you go through Kingsnake's Photo Gallery you can find countless cages with the Knap and Vogt plastic glass track. You can't miss it since it's an obvious orange color.
>>
>>Also, do you need two tracks because you need two cages or do you think you need to buy the upper and lower track separately for one cage? I ask only because I know people who have purchased two thinking that's what they needed to do.
>>
>>Regarding whether to use sliding or fold-down doors, use what you prefer.
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>>Current snakes:
>>
>>1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)
>>
>>3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)
>>
>>2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)
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Tim W.

>>So my dumerils will grow to an average size of 6'-7'. Is a 4x2x18 cage gonna cut it? I am thinking no but I could be wrong.

I do think that limiting the cage to 4' in length is the way to go. But you need to go with what provides you peace of mind.

Let's say you stretched the depth to 2.5' and left the length at 4'.

In this case the cage would have a perimeter of 13' - about twice the length of the average Dumeril's. I think that's plenty.

Limiting the length to 4' saves you money on glass, on track, and on any type of plastic or laminate you might use to protect the cage floor. It also allows you to build by using primarily cross cuts which is very helpful to the novice.

What I would do is figure out what depth (or width depending on how you think about it) cage you can clean comfortably. Probably about 2.5' is my guess. Then make sure the cage is tall enough to allow you to lean into the cage to clean that back edge. Also make sure it's tall enough to allow for proper viewing. Often very deep cages with minimal height are a bit awkward looking.

Again, build the cage that you want. I believe your snake(s) will do fine regardless.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

4x2x18" will be plenty large enough for an adult that is 7'. I have a 6 1/2' male in a 4x2x1 and he is more then comfortable and has room to cruise around. In comparison I have my 8 1/2' female in a 6x2x2 and it just seems like alot of space isn't ever used.. (but I still wouldn't keep her in a 4x2x1 because it would just seem a bit cramped.) What I suggest if you want to add additional floor space is to build a shelf in your enclosure at about 10" up from the bottom and about 8-12" deep, this would add an additional 3.5-4 square feet of floor space for your boa to use.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com