Is cage height important in housing boas?

[clone]

I think a cage with 2-3ft height causes stress to a boa compared to a 1ft high cage(boaphile) because they are closer to the ceiling. Also adult boas usually stay on the ground, so do they really need a 2-3ft high cage?

[LORI]

Re: Is cage height important in housing boas?

I do not like to give my boas any less than 2' of height in their cages. More height is even better IMO. They are so restricted as it is when being caged ya know. ???

[The_Boaphile]

Re: Is cage height important in housing boas?

Try a little experiment. Place your Boa in a cage that has a tall open area and an area where it can go that has a shelf or something similar where the Boa can retreat and watch where the Boa goes. The taller cages that I use with a shelf have about a nine inch clear opening on the shelf. Guess where the Boa spends nearly all of his/her time. While a taller cage is more aesthetically pleasing to people, a Boa will find it very difficult to feel very secure with all that wide open over head space. Security and a relaxing atmosphere are difficult to reproduce in captivity. Relatively tight quarters I think provide the best possible environment for our kids. My two cents worth.

Later kids!

Jeff

[ClayEnglish]

Re: Is cage height important in housing boas?

I agree. Without exception, boas that have a shelf available will spend the majority of their time on the shelf.

That is why when I don't have units with a shelf, I like the 11 or 12 inch tall Black enclosures Jeff builds. It does give them a sense of security because the overhead is not really high. I think floor space is more important that ceiling space.

On all my custom made melamine enclosures, I built in a shelf, and again without exception, Adults and babies, will use these shelves 90 % of the time. They do explore, drink and poop on the lower sections, but they "rest" on the shelf.

[LucyABCC]

Re: Is cage height important in housing boas?

how big should my shelf be if my cage is 40"H x 60"W x 28"D? i was thinking 20"H x 30"W x 28"D, basically 1/2 of the cage. and do i still need a branch or something to climb on if she has a shelf?

[Ryan]

Re: Is cage height important in housing boas?

This is my hogg Islanders cage while I was setting it up before I got all the hides and toys for him to play on. I didnt even get my hogg till like a month after the photo. anyway my shelf is almost half the cage length. the cage is 4'L x 2'D x 18"H. He is up in his hide on the shelf most of the time. they are a great thing to have

[LORI]

Re: Is cage height important in housing boas?

Right Clay...

I think floor space is more important that ceiling space.

I agree 100% with ya np on this one. The question didn't ask about the floor space though, so I didn't comment on it at all. ;D I just noted what I prefer to provide my snakes with..doesn't always mean that they will get it like I prefer it though either. Gotta remember..I keep some HUGE BOAs here lol. 1' Of height for them in their cages to me would be like "cramming" them into their cages. ??? :'(

Jeff you threw another factor in that question ya know hehe. Providing a shelf in a cage that has more than 1' height to it is like giving them more floor space IMO also. It's not really just a height thing..The whole configuration really needs to be taken into account with their cages.

[clone]

Re: Is cage height important in housing boas?

I just saw a picture of a cage 4ft high with large branches anchored to the wall and a 6ft boa was curled around the branches. Some boas do take advantage of the height in their cages.