Advice wanted on boa enclosure

[bcr226]

We'll be putting a morph BCC in our collection in a few months. He's a graduation present for my daughter. She knows she's getting one but she doesn't know we've already gotten on for her yet. For now, he's small enough that we can use a typical enclosure. However, at the request of my daughter, she wants a nice large vivarium/enclosure where he can "stretch out" when he's full grown.

The plan is to build one that is about 8 feet long by 3 feet deep. The height, I'm still working on what is appropriate. I know the BCC and other boas are "semi arboreal" but what exactly does this entail?

We want it to be somewhat naturalistic with maybe a section of branches for him to climb on but how high should we make it? What do I need to know in regards to branches and other climbing accessories? I have this vision of a section of tree secured to the bottom of the enclosure and branching out with some thick branches to be secured at the top. Is a section of real tree okay for this? Do they make such a thing out of composite?

Yes, I know it's probably going way over board but it's something that my daughter and I can build together and have wonderful memories with. It also feeds her need to spoil her pets.

Here's our future family member here...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr136/efillc/Snakes/773622_808849897659_949387501_o.jpg

[KORBIN5895]

That guy looks like a hypo Colombian which means it is a bci and won't get as big as a bcc.

As for the tree section, using a real tree section would work fine but you would have to look long and hard for an appropriate branch layout. If you have the space I would make it three or four feet high. I have my 6.5ft girl in a 4'x2'x2' and she will climb up against the ceiling if I don't secure the wires.

[bcr226]

It could be. I'm new to boas and am still learning a lot. Here's another pic of him...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr136/efillc/Snakes/775181_808849937579_468333468_o.jpg

I'm not to worried if he is or isn't a BCC. He's got a great attitude and my daughter will love him. So... LOL

[KORBIN5895]

Well I am sure it's a hypo bci.

There us quite a difference between bci and bcc. I would recommend studying up on bci care just to make sure you know what you will be dealing with. He will probably get between 6-7 feet as an adult.

[Terranaut]

In my opinion if I was building a 8x3x? I would go 8x3X4. Why? Well its overkill BUT the extra height would make for a beautiful display case and seeing as you could go with a full sheet why not? At that size you could add a water feature as well. Unless terrariums are your other hobbie I would stick to fake plants and use maybe a couple dead branches. A big log would work nice on the bottom. Very nice hypo. Be sure to listen to Korbins advice above.

[bcr226]

Ok... and yes, I'm listening to the advice. LOL.

Thanks guys. I'm going to see if I can find an appropriate branch or three.

I can go 4 feet. I like that idea a lot.

[Terranaut]

Big is fine as long as the snake has cover and places to hide. When people tell me an enclosure is to big I ask them if they have ever seen the size of ....nature? I hear it's pretty big ;)
Please post lots of build pics. This could be an awsome enclosure.

[bcr226]

I definitely will. The thread on natural enclosures has inspired me and it's had a wonderful side benefit of a project that we as a family can do together here.

My main concern is heating and lighting. I'm considering using LED lighting and a Flexwatt section on the floor for heating. But that is down the road a bit.

I'm going to do a realistic vivarium for our Mexican black king snake as a starter piece with my daughter. Then we'll do the boa enclosure and python enclosures.

[Terranaut]

I definitely will. The thread on natural enclosures has inspired me and it's had a wonderful side benefit of a project that we as a family can do together here.

My main concern is heating and lighting. I'm considering using LED lighting and a Flexwatt section on the floor for heating. But that is down the road a bit.

I'm going to do a realistic vivarium for our Mexican black king snake as a starter piece with my daughter. Then we'll do the boa enclosure and python enclosures.

Omg I love it when people actually use advice given. Getting rarer.
Look for the bio active substrate threads. They are very good. Great plan doing a starter first. Kingsnakes don't have needs that are far off from a house interior but I am sure any snake will love a growing thriving interior. Please post a diy thread on how you do it with lots of pics.