Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I personally don't own any boas yet and I'm still just sort of doing research. Here's something I've been wondering about... I keep hearing that aquariums are bad to keep boas in because they don't hold humidity well. I've seen some people recommend keeping them in types of rubbermaid containers or rack systems. At least while they're young anyway...

But I've also read that they need 12-14 hours of light cycling. Even though I think they hide generally during the day. How does that work? Do they need the light or not?

Also, during what time of year are the most boas available? I bought a cornsnake (my first snake) last year at an early summer reptile show and chose from one of the very few that were available at the time, only to find hundreds available at a show six weeks later.

Boas dont need any lights at all, the only reason for lights would be for you to be able to see them or if you are using them for heat. If you are using lights it would be stresfull for the snake if the lights were on all the time,thats why youve heard people taling about running lights on a 12-14 hour cycle. Im pretty new to Boas but this is how it was explained to me. Im sure you will get more detailed responses from some of the more experinced folks on this forum.

On the subject of glass tanks,I have to ball pythons that are living in a couple of glass tanks with screen tops and they are a constant battle to keep temps and humidity at the proper levels, It can be done,but you will allways be making little adjustments here and there,as soon as the funds are available Im getting rid of the glass tanks and getting some nice plastic cages. You mentioned rack systems and rubbermaid containers,I have my young female Boa in a Rubbermaid container with undertank heat it is working fine but this is only a temporary setup untill my new cage arrives.