New here!

[dross9615]

Hi, sorta new to keeping snakes (and the forum). I had few questions. In January I will be ordering my first boa. Hopefully the motley I've been looking at. But anyway, I was wondering about keeping in plastic containers. How do you make sure they get proper amount of uv light. I plan on starting a small breeding operations in the next few years and just wanted to start it all off correctly

[Kyle56230]

Snakes typically don't need uv light ( although I provide it), they need heat and humidity. An most boas get rather large 6-10 feet an in there first years grow about 80% of their size. So simply put you'll need a large plastic container, I would very seriously look into a stacking rack setup or something similar. As ur snake will most likely outgrow whatever you put it in if its a baby

[dross9615]

Thank you very much for the reply and yeah I was aware of the size and growth. I just planned on using the tub as temporary housing which I think is pretty nice sized
Its about as big as a 30 gallon tank. I just prefer tub because of their simplicity and easiness to regulate temps and what not.

[Minkness]

To help avoid larger boas, unless that's what you want, ask the breeder how big the parents are, and how old. That will give you a guide if that pretty baby will get hige6or stay on the more manageable side.

[dross9615]

I'm not really worried about him getting too big seeing as he will be my boa. Now that I'm getting back into keeping and I will gladly make him however large an enclosure he will need or just buy one (pvc, etc...).

[Bandit]

They won't need UV. It certainly won't hurt to provide it, but it isn't necessary.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Boa constrictors, especially imperator, only average 5'-7'. It's incredibly rare to have an imperator reach or exceed 9'. Fed properly, it should take several years to get to those big sizes (like 3-6 years), and they grow the most during their second year. These guys still aren't fast growers if they aren't pushed to their limits. My boa reached 6' at 3 years old, and that's considered huge for his age. He's now 4 years and closer to 6.5'.

[dross9615]

Yeah and I honestly don't mind if he turns out to be on the larger side because I know that if he gets big I'll gladly get an enclosure large enough for him to be happy and healthy. Thanks guys for all the info and help

[IW17]

A boa shouldn't grow fast. They generally have a slower metabolism than pythons. Some species will be fine in a tub their entire life. Here's a link to a large tub that should last you a very long time. IRIS - VE-175W - IRIS USA Inc - storage and organization products home (http://www.irisusainc.com/p-680-ve-175w.aspx)
These can be found this time of year at most Walmart for around $30

[dross9615]

Thanks IW17!!

[Mad Max]

Mine seems to dislike his UV light quite a bit and it's not even very bright. He's only 4.5 feet long, but he's so active that I think my 60x30 enclosure is almost too small for him.