Will This Enclosure Work?

I got a 4 foot tall, 2 feet wide and 2 feet long enclosure from a friend. I'm not sure what to put in it, and I was considering a rainbow boa. Would a tall enclosure work for one? Or do they need a long enclosure more?

That enclosure is perfect for one!

They definitely like some height and will use it. Maybe just not all the time.

Do you absolutely need substrate in the enclosure if you have another means for keeping the humidity up? I find substrate to be messy, but if they need substrate it would be alright.

the humidity is the important part. If you can maintain is without substrate, that's fine. Substrate just happens to make it much easier. Trial and error, you'll figure out what you need.

I personally don't feel like it has enough floor space. It's only two feet wide by two feet long. It has a lot of hight to it, but I think it needs more floor space as well. That's just my opinion, however.

Originally Posted by MadDog

I personally don't feel like it has enough floor space. It's only two feet wide by two feet long. It has a lot of hight to it, but I think it needs more floor space as well. That's just my opinion, however.

Would taking it out for exercise help? How often is appropriate for handling? If that isn't a good option, I'd be willing to consider something else.

I think that once its old enough it may need more floor space, but I am just going off of what mine is like. Ophion doesnt really use his branches much but he roams the enclosure at night all the time. 2 feet is fine but I like more. As for the substrate it depends on the Boa as well as keeping up the humidity. Mine will not use a moist hide but once a week I wet down his substrate and he just loves to burrow in to it. I also spritz his enclosure a few times a week and it keeps his humidity at right around 80%.

Any way you could use the enclosure on its side or back? My rainbow is in a 4' wide x 2' deep x 1.5' tall cage, with 4-6" of shredded coconut husk substrate. He seldom climbs, he much prefers being on the ground and either in a hide or burrowed. Also the substrate makes the humidity much much easier to maintain. To maintain 85% or higher without substrate, I think you will end up with sanding water where it shouldn't be and a lack of ventilation. Both of those can lead to growth of unwanted organisms. The substrate helps by holding water without it being a stagnant pool, and letting it evaporate gradually. It will keep the humidity up and allow for a more ventilated cage. Also, if it gets dry on top, chances are it still damp underneath and your rainbow will burrow and stay happy and healthy. Trust me, low humidity can lead to a nightmare with a rainbow and quickly. I almost lost mine to pneumonia the first month I had him from low humidity.

Oh! I just realized I totally misread the post. Thought it was 4 ft long! Yes, can you turn it on it's side/back? Then it would work!