Best Cage for Large Red-Tail?

[Beardonicus]

I am getting a baby red-tail boa soon and I was just doing some ahead-of-time planning. What would be the best route for caging a large snake like a red-tail? What brands of the custom cages do well (Vision, Precision, etc.)? Any info or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[ChunkyMunky]

The best/cheapest way to go with housing large snakes is to custom build your enclosure because they can get quite pricey on the market. If you dont have the skills to build your own check out a boaphile enclosure [http://www.boaphileplastics.com/] they are pretty cheap, and are specifically designed for boa constrictors.

Chunky.

[stretch]

Boaphiles are good but they're expensive as h*ll. Especially if you want to house a 7-9 foot snake in it. I personally use a vision for my red tail. I bought a 72x28x18 for like 300 hundred boaphiles were selling a 4 foot by like 20 by like 15 or 17 for 3-400 dollars. Check out the prices visions have better dimensions and prices compared to boaphiles. The only thing is visions are a little tricky with humidity. But once you add some peat moss and cover the vent holes you'll be fine.

[Zoe]

You can go with Vision or Boaphile, as stated above. But will this snake be a BCI, or a BCC? There is a size difference... just keep that in mind :)

Zoe

[Beardonicus]

It will be a Colombian, so it is a BCI. I was looking at Vision cages, but they are quite expensive. What do you use to heat your large cages? I have heard heat panels are good.

[Zoe]

Radiant heat pannels are great, they are expensive but you save money on bulbs in the long run. Ceramic Heating Elements are okay as well, but they need to be in the proper fixture and hooked up to a rheostat.
Then there are UTHs... you can use human heat pads, reptile heat pads (exo-terra, zoo-med), or heat tape.
Lastly is heat rope. It comes by the foot and cannot be cut. If it is coiled, it will get too hot, and does need to be hooked up to a rheostat.

Heat rocks are, of course, out of the question, and most overhead heating isn't recommended.

Why don't you consider getting a cage custom made? Depending on materials, size, who makes it bla bla bla (and of course if you are in CANADA or the US) the price can be considerably less!

Zoe

[Beardonicus]

I will definitely consider getting a custom cage made. I have heard most people heat their large constrictors with heat panels.......do they need to be run on a thermostat? If so, can you recommend a brand of panels and therms.? Thanks alot!

[lakeridgekennel]

Hi i have a question
is Boaphile in canadian pricing or u.s.a

[ophiophagus-han]

Boaphile's pricing is in American dollars. Click on this link. It is a handy currency converter. Boaphiles are awesome! Where else can you get a 4 foot cage for $229? (US dol)
Currency Converter-Click me! (http://www.xe.com/ucc/)
Whatever you choose, I hope you have lots of goodluck!

[Beardonicus]

Would a 4 foot cage be big enough for a full grown BCI?

[ChunkyMunky]

Yes 4 ft is enough room but i wouldn't suggest any less than that.

[McCarthy Boas]

Hi Beardonicus,

I can make any size cage you need for your boa.
If you are interested in my cages just e-mail me what size cage and type you would like and I will get you a estimate.
Here is some info and pics of my cages.

Standard equipment for each cage is a ceramic infrared heat emitter with a wire guard, a KANE heating pad under the floor, a fluorescent light with timer, casters and air vents. The bottom of each cage is sealed with a clear, high build epoxy finish to aid in cleaning, and prevent water damage to the unit. The 3/4"Oak plywood is stained to any Minwax color you like, sealed, and caulked. The cage has sliding tempered glass doors with locks, to ensure that animals stay in, and children stay out.
(Sliding reinforced plexiglass doors can be installed if you prefer avoiding the risk of breakable glass.)
All cages come completely assembled. They will last a lifetime with proper care. These are furniture grade custom cages. They will look great in your living room, family room, office, den or bed room.
THESE CAGES ARE NOT YOUR STANDARD MELAMINE CAGES. They will not absorb water like melamine can once the surface is scratched.

<img src="http://www.mccarthyboas.com/3cagepicHighRes.JPG">

That is one big ugly snake in there. LOL :)
<img src="http://www.mccarthyboas.com/TomInCage01.JPG">

<img src="http://www.mccarthyboas.com/ShannonCage04_28_2003_03.JPG">

I can also make custom Acrylic cages.
<img src="http://www.mccarthyboas.com/ArborealCage06.JPG">

<img src="http://www.mccarthyboas.com/07_2003AcyrilcSnakeCage02Black.JPG">

Take care,
Tom McCarthy
http://www.McCarthyBoas.com

[Beardonicus]

Wow, those are some nice cages, Tom! Big too, lol! What do your prices run and do you ship? Thanks for the reply.


*disregard my questions....I checked out your website. Thanks again!*