Hello to all,

I am fast becoming a collector of snakes. I have been collecting them for 2 years now. I have 5 currently: Redtail Boa, Ball Python, Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Jungle Carpet Python, and an Everglade Rat. I am currently building a Reptile Room. I need help with how big to build the ideal enclosures for each of the fine pets. I also am not sure which ones need height for climbing and which ones don't. I do know that the Everglade Rat is arboreal and will need to climb. Can anyone provide me with ideal demensions and set up for my pet enclosures?

Thank you in advance.

Ball Python Caresheet (Python regius) - Reptile Information - Caresheets Database

Here is the only caresheet we have for the snakes you listed, but it should help with the Ball.... Hopefully someone else who has experience in snakes will be able to help you more.

Just remember, the bigger the better...

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You could pretty much use the same type of cage for all the snakes. I use mainly prefab wooden cages in my snake room. My Savanna monitor, Boas, and Carpets each has a floor space of about 4' x 2.5' (120cm x 60cm) they can be up to 3' for all the snakes you have listed but the Carpets would also go good with something taller, but lager carpets also spend a good deal of time on the ground Darwins seem to stop climbing so much when they get over 6'. Your rat snake really doesn't need as big a cage but I just like things to be uniform so all mine are the same size. Well all but my Blue tounge cage thats a bit smaller.

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Thank you fire2225ems and titus. I want to make sure that I provide them all with ideal conditions. I know that my redtail will get between 8 and 10 feet and will be my largest. Therefore, I don't think that it would be fair to have her in the same sized enclosure and the jungle, rat, or ball. As far as the rainbow, I'm not sure how big she is going to grow or what her needs will be as far as size or climbing aparatus. I figure if I build the enclosures now, to suit them when they are full grown, I'd be all set for space. I plan on sectioning off any enclosure that is too large for their current size, and open larger as they grow. I really enjoy seeing them, so glass fronts will be the way to go. My grandsons also enjoys them as do many young children that come to visit. My grandson plans on inheriting them in 20 years or so. So I want to do what is entirely right for them.
I'll take all the help and knowledge I can acquire. Thanks.

I would suggest having some height for the boa. I have some climbing material in with my boa (its actually being cleaned right now ), and she used it regularly.

What most people do is create the smallest enclosures they can get away with. If you are looking for the ideal cage size, go as large as you can for each species.

How much space is actually available?

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.:: Rich ::.

+ Spread The Info

Rich, Thank you for your reply. Currently I have the entire basement, but hope not to use it all. I was thinking that for the boa, I would build an enclosure that is 8'Lx3'Wx2.5'D. I was thinking about incorporating a utility sink(2'Lx2'Wx1.5D white plastic from Home Depot) into one end so she could soak whenever she wanted. I figure I can hook the drain to the existing plumbing, and I could fill it using an external water mixer (hose fed by a near by sink). So here's what I have thought about for sizes:
all are Lenght X Width X Depth,
Redtail Boa - 8'x3'x2.5'
Ball Python - 4'x2'x2'
Brazilian Rainbow Boa - 2.5'x2'x3'
Jungle Carpet Python - 2.5'x2'x3'
Everglades Rat - 2.5'x2'x3'

Hello again Rich. Just wanted to say, I love you pics. Where was the campsite? It looks familiar to me. My family and I go camping in the Pittsfiled National Forest each year. It's truly awesome. Anyway, we seem to have a lot in common, except for the large age difference. I enjoy all animals, being outdoors with my wife, sons, and grandsons, and motorcycles. I own a 2000 Road King Classic. There's nothing like the feeling of freedom of the great outdoors.

I would think you are going to need something a bit bigger for the jungle carpet. They get 4.5 to 7 ft long and are somewhat arboreal. To those used to the more sedentary pythons and boas it may come as a surprise how active these guy are. They remind me more of a colubrid than a python.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I´m with Merlin on this.

I think the Ball Python could be in a smaller cage (3Lx1,5-2Wx2D if it´s a female; 2,5x,1.5-2x2 if you have a male) and both the Jungle and the Rainbow boa need a bigger cage. Aim at 4lx2-2.5Wx2D for each.

As regards the adult size of the Jungle Carpet, if it is a pure Morelia spilota cheynei it reaches around 5-6 ft for males and 7-8ft for females. I´m only saying this because I know there are lots of crosses (integrades) in the US that are sold under the same "Jungle Carpet" name. And if it´s an integrade with a Coastal (M.s. mcdowelli) or a Diamond Carpet (M.s. spilota) it could get bigger (8-9ft). On the other hand, if it is an Irian Jaya (M.s. harrisoni) it should be around 4 to 6ft.

The Brazilian rainbow boa could reach around 6-7 ft. but will not climb that much as an adult.

I don´t know if your idea is to "pile them up" (sp.) but if it is, you cold put the redtail in the bottom and the Jungle and Brazilian rainbow in the top (side-by-side) in an 8Lx5-6W wall in one area, and the BP and the Everglades rat on a stand, side-by side in another area (a 4Lx2-2.5W wall).

It would look awesome !

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Regards,
Joao

Seems like your getting alot of advice on the enclosures, i'd definitly stick with building wooden enclosures, i like 3/4" cabinet grade plywood, about $25 for a 8'x4' sheet.
Other then the enclosures themselves, have you thought about the room itself, while your going through and getting everything ready, i'd actualy take the time to go over the room itself, Seal off any exit that could be used in case of escape, if you really want to "go the nines" you could install a few radient heat panels, or a space heater (if you use a space heater in the room, i would suggewst wrapping it in hardware cloth 1/4" to 1/2" gauge in case of any escapes, they can get very hot ot the touch) on a seperate thermostat to help keep the ambient room temp up.

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