A room for a boa?

[jwsporty]

Hey folks,

I have a room in my home that is 10X12 that lies empty with nothing right now but some junk. I was considering turning it into a boa room. Not for a collection of boas, but for one boa to have free range within this room (no cage). The room is secure and I am willing to lay down some cleanable flooring, probably linoleum. I would like to hear peoples views on how they would set this room up. Just an idea I am toying with right now as I have no other use for the room.


Jim

[djc3674]

What kind of boa and how big is it right now??? IMO...an enitire room dedicated to one boa would be a waste of space...boas tend to only reach maybe 10-12 feet depending on species, and personally I dont think they need an enclosure that is 10x12. You outta think about keeping a Retic in a room that size, I love those snakes but unfortunatley cant talk to wifey into letting me keep one in our spare bedroom. As it is, I have a boa and BP in there.

If your not into Retics, you should make it a reptile room, and get a few different animals. Boas are my fav..and one is just not enough!..lol I had to buy another one, but I am still waiting for it to arrive. At some point you may want to get another one, and with all that room, you can put a few nice size enclosures in there.

[jwsporty]

Hey djc3674,

The issue isn't whether it is a good or bad use of space. I have a well setup rep room downstairs right now and I am actually in progress of converting from show tanks to a tubbed rack system. And don't worry there will be more snakes to come..:) The main question is how would you set it up to make it the ultimate zone for one snake. I am a while off doing this anyway as my boa is still a neonate. Although very nice, the giant snakes don't interest me and I want to try and stay within the city bylaws to a certain degree.;) There is a 2.3 meter cap on the size of the snake..yeah I know the boa is going to blow that out of the water when he gets bigger. But a big Burm or Retic is simply too large for my liking.

I was thinking along the lines of putting in a couple nice sized silk trees and other climbable items, some straight and humidity hides, a large heat pad, maybe put a small chill zone to retreat to to do a little reading at the same time..

Just looking to spoil my one and only Boa. Likewise I have 5 BP's but I won't put them into this plan as they are different species. I have seen some nice cage enclosures here on line just think of it as one really big cage..;)

So waste of space aside, any other ideas?..;)

[djc3674]

well now that you have went into more detail...I see your plans are well on their way. The only thing I would do is make sure the room is completely sealed off so it can't escape. I am assuming its a spare bedroom and there are probably radiators/heaters..I would seal them off so the snake can't get into them and get itself stuck.

I let my boa roam around my living room while I clean his tank(after I put the dog outside ofcourse) and he managed to get himself under the baseboard heater and it was a real pain in the a$$ to get him out. I had to basically take it apart and be really careful cause those heating coils are pretty sharp. So, other than making it escape proof and making sure it can't harm itself..sounds like your boa is gonna enjoy it. Good Luck!

[copperhead]

i have an 8 foot burmese know. at what size should i put him ina room by himself?

[vanderkm]

Some things you might consider are having plumbing (in an enclosed cabinet) and a covered floor drain with a sealed concrete, lino or indoor/outdoor carpet floor that really makes clean-up easy. You could actually put an indoor pond in a room that size and it would help keep your humidity up, if it was in the basement where the floor would hold the weight. Including an aquarium with a few select fish might be worth considering if it was set up in a contained stand so the snake could not access any of the electrical or filter components or break through the top.

A couple real trees, stripped of bark so they could be cleaned, could be bolted to the walls and ceiling and a suspended thick branch could extend between them. Then install basking lights (shielded) above the level of the branch for some of your hot spots.

Overturned plastic horse watering tubs make good hide boxes on the floor (an if dark green they would go with a jungle theme) or could be bolted or secured to the corners of the room at different heights (maybe some could be covered or overturned with heating pads inside or heat panels on the inside walls.

You could do a jungle wall mural (can shine a bright light on a philodendron or palm leaf to cast shadows on the wall and then draw the outline of it for painting) and paint the ceiling blue. Some hanging artifical plants strategically placed (for looks, not boa access) could really add to the atmosphere. You might consider a hammock for people - cleans easier than chairs if the boa should mess on it.

If I was doing it, I would add a glass window to the room so that the interior would be visible from the adjacent room - another idea are soft rope swings across the room - I think they make them for birds - cotton rope about 2 inches in diameter that is made into loops or a chain would be a nice change of pace from the tree limbs for climbing. There is just so much you could do with this - sure wish I had your problem - keep us informed on what you decide to do.

mary v.

[jwsporty]

Mary you have some great ideas, but I was talking to someone who mentioned that I might end up with behavioural problems by using an entire room. So I think what I am going to do is build a caged enclosure instead in the same and use some of your ideas. Probably end up 6x8, floor to ceiling, plumbing can be managed, plants, large heat pads and hides. Still a ways off doing this, just wanted to hear some opinions..Thanks

[V.hb]

I think it would be very difficult to safely heat a full sized room. Cool idea, but if the room has windows they would need to be replaced with different glass, i think (more insulation) to prevent any drafts as one canadian winter night could put your snake out of commision for good!

Ive noticed alot of reading on people giving rooms to their giant snakes, monitors etc. I dont find this works up here in Canada. Most of the books are written in the warmer parts of the US where heat is easier to come by.

You'd be better off making a few large custom enclosures in that room and going from there! easier to keep them warm. Good luck

[ScreamingMisfit]

i think it could be a good idea b ut you would have to have alot of time interacting with the boa as not to leave room for behavour issues and about the lanolium ..DON"T use any king of adhesive flooring as it will get moisture under it and were theres moisture theres mold and were theres mold comes bacteria and were theres bacteria there is illness so use some kind of porcilin or ceramic tiles with a sealed grout that would work nicely and hold heat very well i use them in my malamine enclosures as do a few other people i know ....keep us posted with your progress and post some pics if you can

chao