Cage size for a Morelia spilota

SnakeAddiction · 04-01-14, 10:02 AM

Hey guys! I have always had boas, but recently crept over to the world of carpets. My girl is a Morelia spilota sap. Mother is a Morelia spilota mcdowelli. 2007 Striped Coastal from AC Reptiles, believe she came from the Liger male. Father is a Morelia spilota ssp. 2007 25% Diamond, 75% Coastal Jaguar. So who knows if she will get the size like the mcdowelli's get or if she will stay on the smaller side.

She was born March '12, but she was slow fed for the majority of those 2 years. She is starting to get longer, bout 3.5ft and as around as a nickle/quarter, and I know she will need a larger cage soon. Right now I have her in a boaphile cage 2x2x1. I will be building her cage and wondering which size you guys would recommend? Space isn't an issue. Also, right now she has belly heat because I do not have an rhp. But knowing they are semi-arboreal, one will be needed. Any recommendations on a specific type/brand I should get. Thanks in advance!

A photo from the breeder I bought her from. I will upload recent ones soon!

-Will

sharthun · 04-01-14, 02:23 PM

Hey and Welcome! I use Reptile basics 40 watt RHP's for my colubrids. You will probably want higher wattage for a larger enclosure.

RBI Radiant Heat Panels

Edit: forgot the rhp faq: Good info on cage sizes and rhp sizing:

Radiant Heat Panel FAQ: Reptile Products You Can Trust | Reptile Basics Inc

pdomensis · 04-01-14, 02:35 PM

Carpets are awesome, looking forward to pics. If size isn't an issue then I would put a carpet in a 12x12x8 room! More realistically though 4x2x4 is a nice size to work with. If you can go longer, do it. Look at Pro-products for RHPs as well as RBI. Not sure what the cost diff would be, but might as well compare. I know lots of people use an 80w for carpets in a good size enclosure (I'm ordering mine soon).

cheers

Terranaut · 04-01-14, 03:06 PM

I have a 4x2x4. It's a big square 2 feet deep. It is perfect but if space is an issue 4x2x2 is fine. I also use the 80 watt panel. Congrats on discovering carpets. No turning back now

SnakeAddiction · 04-01-14, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Hey and Welcome! I use Reptile basics 40 watt RHP's for my colubrids. You will probably want higher wattage for a larger enclosure.

RBI Radiant Heat Panels

Edit: forgot the rhp faq: Good info on cage sizes and rhp sizing:

Radiant Heat Panel FAQ: Reptile Products You Can Trust | Reptile Basics Inc

Thanks sharthun for the welcome and info on rhp's!

Quote:

Carpets are awesome, looking forward to pics. If size isn't an issue then I would put a carpet in a 12x12x8 room! More realistically though 4x2x4 is a nice size to work with. If you can go longer, do it. Look at Pro-products for RHPs as well as RBI. Not sure what the cost diff would be, but might as well compare. I know lots of people use an 80w for carpets in a good size enclosure (I'm ordering mine soon).

cheers

pdomensis, That size room would be pretty sweet! I actually had a room like that all planned out when I was younger. Had the whole drain and filter system thought up and how I could simulate the sun and rain. It was a great idea, but I don't have a separate room for that...yet.
I think 4x2x4 is a great size. That will also give me room to work with the branches I have. Thank you

Quote:

I have a 4x2x4. It's a big square 2 feet deep. It is perfect but if space is an issue 4x2x2 is fine. I also use the 80 watt panel. Congrats on discovering carpets. No turning back now

Terranaut, space is not an issue so 4x2x4 it is! And since you have that size cage and use the 80 watt already, do you also use belly heat to help keep the ambient temp inside the cage constant? And I think you're right about no turning back. I've already started looking at others, but that's down the road. Have too many boas as it is...

Oh, and I can't post photos. I keep getting a message saying post denied. New post are limited to the number of urls and checked for content or something. So I guess pics will have to wait. Sorry
Thanks again!

SnakeAddiction · 04-01-14, 11:07 PM

I'll try this...

Mikoh4792 · 04-02-14, 01:59 AM

Awesome looking girl!

Here is a picture of a huge enclosure that houses three adult carpets

shaunyboy · 04-02-14, 03:33 AM

i keep my carpets in 4x2x2ft vivariums mate

a large coastal or diamond i would use a 6x2x2ft viv

cheers shaun

Terranaut · 04-02-14, 04:33 AM

You can post pics after 5 posts I think.
I do not supply belly heat. The room the enclosure is in is 73-75° and I have a bar stool inside under the RHP as a perch. It hits 95° on the stool.
I love the enclosure above. Awesome.

SnakeAddiction · 04-03-14, 10:47 PM

Mikoh4792, that is a really impressive viv! I'm not talented enough for to build one like that

shaunyboy, hopefully the coastal in her shows through and she gets to be a good size.

Terranaut, That makes sense why I was having a hard time posting pics. I had to put them in as an attachment for those to work. I would rather not have the belly heat, so I'm glad to hear it's not needed. Did you have to get creative with putting the probe on the stool?

Terranaut · 04-04-14, 04:21 AM

I have the probe about 1/3 of the way down the back wall. The thermostat is actually set at 83°. This produces the temps I want and I check everything with a temp gun .

SnakeAddiction · 04-17-14, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

I have the probe about 1/3 of the way down the back wall. The thermostat is actually set at 83°. This produces the temps I want and I check everything with a temp gun .

ok, thank you. I'll position the same way and just mess with the temp until I get it where it needs to be.

shaunyboy · 04-17-14, 06:03 PM

a non light emitting ceramic bulb,a bulb guard and a pulse or dimming thermostat,imo would be the easiest way to get,an accurate basking spot and good ambient air temperatures

with the heat source being non light emitting,the heat bulb does the snake day and night 24/7

i keep Carpets in 4x2x2ft vivariums,a large Coastal or Diamond i would use a 6x2x2ft vivarium

cheers shaun