Providing a Cage for Your Boa Constrictor: Interview 3 with BigReese

This is the third interview with BigReese. He has been a snake owner for more than 20 years now. After purchasing his new red-tail baby boa constrictor named Brownie, I asked him many questions about buying and caring for his pet. Previously, he has given interviews about buying a baby boa constrictor, next about feeding and basic care, and this 3^rd interview (with slide show) is about providing an optimum environment for his pet snake. He chose a particular type of cage.

For the two other interviews click on the links below.

INTERVIEW:

CG: Let's say I just purchased a baby boa constrictor and brought her home. What size tank should I have?

BR: She could be in the cage I have now (see photos).

CG: Can it be a fish tank/aquarium?

BR: It can be but I have a preference - which is the large cage in the photos I supplied.

CG: What is this cage made of?

BR: It is made out of HDPE or high density polyethylene. I prefer this type of cage.

CG: How big is it?

BR:The measurements are: length 48 inches, width, 24 inches, and height 18 inches.

CG: You bought this tank at least two months before you put Brownie it it. Why did you buy so far in advance?

BR:To clean it, to get the radiant heat panel, and the other items which you can see in the photo - like the caves, the wood branch, the plants. Just to be prepared.

CG: What is the optimum temperature for your boa constrictor? (see photo of thermostat which monitors the heat)

BR: The warm side of the tank is 88 degrees and the cool side is 80 degrees.

CG: You have told me that one side of the tank is a bit warmer. Why?

BR: So there will be a thermal gradient - which means, she has different temperatures after she eats. She likes it warmer when she is digesting and cooler after she has digested.

CG: In addition to the items in the cage, which you just mentioned, - what is that probe for?

BR: The probe measures the temperature and sends it to the thermostat which controls the heat panel located above in the cage (see photo).

CG: Why is the heat panel located above in the cage and not on the bottom?

BR: The heat panel is put above so it can replicate heat from the sun.

CG: Why do you have those rock caves?

BR: When boas are young they need hiding places to feel secure because in the wild, when they are young, they have a lot of predators.

CG: Mrs. BigReese suggested you buy the plants. Does Brownie like the plants?

BR: She does, very much. She goes behind them.

CG: When you frist put Brownie in this cage, she immediately went to the plant in the left corner. Why did she keep poking her head out? (see photo) And from different parts of the plants?

BR: She was looking around to make sure it was safe.

CG: Is it easy to feed her in such a big cage?

BR: It’s no problem.

CG: Does she have to move around to find and catch the rat?

BR: No. Snakes are ambush hunters. They wait for their prey. The rat eventually comes to her.

CG: After you feed her in which part of the cage does she move to?

BR: She will move to the warm side to digest her food which takes about 2-3 days.

CG: Will she outgrow this tank?

BR: Yes, in about 3 years.

CG: If the tank is very large to begin with, will Brownie grow bigger than if she was kept in a small tank?

BR: Not really. Genetically, they are meant to be very large.

CG: I noticed the lock on the sliding doors. Why a lock? (see photo)

BR: So she won’t slide against the door and accidentally slide it open.

CG: Big Reese, I'd like to know more about Brownie as she gets bigger like how often she is fed, how often she sheds her activity, etc. Can I come back once again to check on her size and progress, and take more pictures?

BR: Yes. That will be fine.

CG: Thanks again for your time BigReese. Brownie is consistently my most popular article(s) so it does seem as if people have a genuine interest in learning about and providing quality care for their pet snakes.

For the previous two interviews please go to: