Today at work a couple brought a Redtail Boa Constrictor into the store to be adopted out. I talked to them a bit, and the snake had just gotten a bit too big for there apartment, after talking to them about snakes and the boa and so on, they really thought I should take her. I was doomed from the start, She is about five feet long, they were told she was a she, and looking at where spurs would be im inclined to agree. She has a exellent disposition , and settled in quite fast, it had been about 2-3 weeks since her last feed, and we decided (i may have waited to let her settle in, but its good to see shes eating) to feed her right away, she took a defrosted rat no problem, and though I usualy would avoid handling her to let her adjust, she had no problems in and out of her cage about handling. and visualy, she was rather stress free over it, she came with a 55 gallon tank, lid,heater, so on, but i'll be moving her to my empty 75 (48x18x21) as soon as I can get a new lid (its one of the tanks with the screen sliding lids attatched, and I dont trust it to keep her in, or the cats out, so im going to tryin get one of the thicker wire lids for her.) I realize I will indefinitly have to build a larger enclosure for her, and im completely willing to do so, in fact im sure ill enjoy it a bit, but for now I plan on using this tank (48x18x21)
So, as for her set up when I get the 75 situated...
I'm thinking Forest bedding/bed a beast, she will definitly be fed outside her tank, but even so, i prefer the bed a beast to most other natural substrates, and im just not really a fan of newspaper, im also going to secure the branches they left in her tank higher up in the 75 gallon for nice basking branches, and get 2 nice hides that will fit her entire body coiled up in them, i also definitly want a larger water bowl. correct me if im wrong, but her entire body should be able to soak in it. Other than that i'll be using Under the tank heating, with a basking spot lamp for a nice basking spot, im going to refer to the common boa carsheet for the temps, humidity so on. Just so exited I had to tell everyone. And appreciate any advice on care and housing. The picture was taken on my cell phone.

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redtail.jpg (13.2 KB, 11 views)

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Congrats! Looks like a great new member to your family.

Ron

Congrats! Shes a beauty! Im going to give you a little something to think about when choosing bedding. A five foot snake is HUGE, thus when she defecates it will be huge as well, not trying to be gross but it's something to consider. Youre going to want to use a substrate with an easy clean up factor, I use paper towels for mine..not the prettiest but it makes cleaning her enclosure ALOT easier and less messy
Youre gonna love your new addition boas are awesome snakes :-D

congrats on the newest addition!

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yeah, i was almost going to say newspaper for substrate, but then you might have humidity issues too.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Congrats on the new addition

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TKE:TT:118

congrats! I would have to agree with the bed a beast,, big snakes leave big messes, lol.
As far as the water bowl you can use a large cat litter box they run about 5 bucks and the snake will be able to submerge herself in that if she chooses, It will also help keep the humidity up.

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

Congrats on your new addition. I use newspaper - easy to clean!

Awesome. Congrats and good luck.

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MARSHA
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Thanks everyone, i know newspaper would be easy, but like mentioned its not going to hold alot of humidity, and I figure, as long as it cant hurt her, its just me doing the extra work, and I dont really mind, i think somewhere stuck in my head is this idea that no animal likes either newspaper or carpet, maybe im wrong, but I still feel bad putting my reptiles on it. If I do bed a beast I think il buy a whole lot, and when she defecated ill use a large scoop to pick up all of the bedding in the area of her eliminations, then reguraly change all the bedding, granted it may get a bit more expensive then newspaper, repticarpet, or tile, but id like it to be as natural as possible. Especially because the couple that had her actualy had her on repti-bark, so I figure going to bed a beast is a safer alternative, without too much of a change. Other then making more work for me though, Bed a beast is'nt going to hurt her is it? Thats what im more worried about. As for the water dish I think I will get a cat litter pan like suggested, id almost like a natural looking water bowl, but im not willing to sacrifice her well being for aesthetics. and it needs to be a rather big bowl. Also, just curious about what size would it be best to switch over to a larger enclosure? Ive always heard that the length of the tank should be at least half her length, doesdnt really sound big enough, but im not sure. As of now she's right about 5 feet long.
Thanks everyone, and thanks for the tips.

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