Complete Newbee

[BeginnerBoa]

I am new to both this site and to snakes in general. I just purchased my first snakes. I have been trying to figure out all the terminology, but I think I have 1.1 BCI 66% HET. I built my own enclosure with the help from this site, but I do have a few questions. My enclosure is 4x2x2.5. Since I have two BCIs I was told to keep them seperated so I put a panel down the middle. Is it better to keep them seprated? Also as far as heating, if I use UTH or heading pads, do I need to have air flow under the cage?

[CDN-Cresties]

Welcome to the site, I dont know to much about boas but maybe you should post those questions in the boa forum, although Im sure someone in this forum will help you out :D

[Mike177]

hi and welcome to ssnakess.com!

If you are useing heat pads it woulnt hurt to put a little something on each corner of the cage to just it lift it a bit off the ground. i also build my own cage and wire my own heat tape and i just put the cage on the heat pad with nothing in between and nothing has burned down yet.

[Edwin]

Welcome to ssnakess!

Yes, you should definitely keep your boas separated. How big are the boas now? If you are splitting your 4x2x2.5 enclosure down the middle, each compartment may be too cramped for an adult boa. Also you may have trouble providing a temperature gradient. 4x4x2 is an ok size to house a single adult boa.

You need some airflow under the cage, this is to prevent heat buildup when using a UTH or heat pad. You could slightly raise the enclosure from the floor, or cut a groove for airflow.

Hope this helps!

[BeginnerBoa]

Right now my CBIs are both babies. They are both about 4 months old. I hope that this cage will keep them for a couple of years, but we'll see. With the experience of building the enclosure, I feel comfortable doing it again when they are older.

[Bartman]

From what i understand they can get to almost adult size in one year..this could be good for a while, but i doubt for "years"

Welcome to ssnakess btw! Those are some great snakes to start out with!

[HeatherRose]

Actually, boas do *NOT* get to full adult size in one year. Or even near adult size. In a year, a boa should reach about 3-4 feet, hardly adult size.

Good luck with your boas :)

[Matt_K]

From what i gather by your post, your enclosure is 4 feet split in half, so each snake has 2 feet? This will last you a little while, but you'll find you will have to upgrade sooner then later.. I have yearling BCI's in under the bed rubbermaids that are 3' long, and they have to be upgraded by the end of the summer as the boa's are coming up on the 3.5'-4' mark.. So basically, you'll get a bit of time out of those cages, but it doesn't hurt to start getting prepaired.. As Edwin stated, your 4x2x2 will be suitable for one of your boas throughout adulthood.. A lot of people use UTH's and Heat Tape without leaving a gap for airflow and have no probelms, i personally feel a bit safer allowing a little airflow betwen the cages..

Welcome to the site BTW.. :D

[BeginnerBoa]

Thanks for all the info. I LOVE THIS SITE!!!!!!!!!!!

[crazyboy]

your terminology is a little off. if the boas are 66% het then they need to be het for something. say they are normals 66% het for albino, this would mean they are normal with a 66% chance of carrying the albino gene.

[BoidKeeper]

MattK took the words right out of my mouth including the welcome but I'll say it any way. Welcome to ssnakess.com!
Keep the questions coming and post some pics of your snakes and set up that always helps. Also if you haven't already got it the Boa Constrictor Manual is a great resource for info.
Cheers,
Trevor

[BeginnerBoa]

Thanks for the clearification crazyboy, did I mention that I was new at this?! They pet stored just had them marked as 66% het, but when I called called back to find out het for what they said anery (sp?). I ve been reading other threads on the different color morphs, but since the pet store didn't have availability to the parents or pic, I have no idea what their kids will look like if I bread them. All I know is that I think they look beautiful. I have some pics in the member gallerys, I'll see if I can post them to this thread.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5556Male2-med.jpg
This is the male
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5556Female-med.jpg
This is the female
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5556Untitled-med.jpg
And this is the enclosure

[HeatherRose]

Just wanted to add, those are some really, really nice looking boas. Baby boas are just too cute!

Nice enclosures as well :)

[maritimExotics]

welcome to ssnakess, i agree somoe nice looking snakes you have there, love the encloser are you able to take out the devider to make it one, yes this should last you a year, and would be great if you only had to make another one of those instead of 2 if you can't take out the devider
and i assume you have ventalation at the top?? have fun & enjoy, its addictive

Ryan