Cage set-up for a red-tailed boa.

[bigsnakegirl785]

This is my new set-up for my red-tailed boa. I've got it so that the warm side is just above 90F during the day and just above 80F at night. I'll be getting another thermometer, humidity reader, and some new bedding this weekend. The current bedding is pine, and I was wondering if that was safe or if I should switch to toilet paper for the time being???? Oh yeah, and I'll be getting a new, custom-made cage this weekend too, the front is mesh, should I change that too? Or is it fine?

[Aaron_S]

Let's start with some basics.

Substrate: Pine is a no-no. Not as bad as cedar but still a no-no. Paper towel or aspen would be fine in the new enclosure but I would use a forest bedding product with a screen top like that.

Temperatures: You're hot end seems to be fine at it's current spot but you should ensure there is a cold end. Your thermometer should be placed on the substrate and not on the back glass.

Hides:You should place another hide on the opposite side as well. Allowing the snake to hide no matter what temperature it wishes to use. When faced with temperatures or hiding, snakes will take the security. More fitted hides are also a good idea. Snakes like to feel enclosed for the most part.

Now if it were me, I would have made sure I had everything properly set-up before I bought my snake. Why should a snake suffer, even for a day or two, due to your negligence?

[bigsnakegirl785]

I added another hide and changed the bedding and the boa doesn't know what to make of it. lol Just kinda flicking it's tongue and crawling on the hide. And thanks for the advice, I really do want my snake to be happy, I'm just a new owner and I've read so many things on red-tails I don't know what to go with. I'm glad you could help me make my snake happier.

[SnakeyJay]

Nice RTB... good luck and steer clear of pine lol.

[Lankyrob]

The idea of a mesh fronted cage worries me in terms of the snake rubbing against it and damageing its scales - i have all mine in glass fronted enclosures.

[Aaron_S]

Good point Rob. I wasn't thinking clearly at work earlier. :P

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yeah that's what I was worried about with the mesh front, too. But I didn't want to change it if I didn't have to, but I will anyway.