One of the first considerations when contemplating keeping a boa is housing. There are a number of suitable options available depending on the species of boa you intend to keep, the space you have available, your financial budget, and personal taste. From glass aquariums to wood or melamine vivariums with sliding doors, to plastic ‘tubs’ or racking, the choice can seem overwhelming. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of boa housing.

All glass aquariums

While an aquarium (fish tank) might seem like an ideal enclosure for a boa they are far from ideal. Since they are all glass it is very difficult to regulate the humidity, or get enough ventilation. Also access is always from a lid which tend to be very difficult to secure properly. Snakes are very strong, and natural escape artists, so a lid which isn’t properly secured is an invitation for an escaped boa!

Melamine Vivariums

Melamine is a laminated plastic and chipboard or fiberboard material. It is cheap, waterproof, and easy to cut. There are quite a number of good quality melamine vivariums on the market, and they are reasonably easy for a competant DIYer to build. Melamine vivariums normally have sliding glass doors for easy access, which can also be locked (particularly important if you have children) and ventilation holes are easily added. Since melamine is waterproof it can be easily cleaned and disinfected inside.

Plastic Vivariums

Moulded plastic vivariums have the same advantages as melamine vivariums for your boas, with the added bonus that the internal corners are rounded which makes them easier to clean. The downside is that they some only in stock sizes, and custom sized DIY versions are not possible. (Update: There are now a few companies who can supply plastic vivs to custom sizes… they are not the cheapest, but if you’re interested do a quick search on Google!)

Plastic tubs/RUBS and racks

While vivariums are great for housing boas, they are expensive and take up a lot of space. When housing boas in quantity (normally if breeding boas) plastic tubs, possibly in racks, are a better solution. While not as aesthetically pleasing as vivariums, rubs are economical, easy to maintain, and are just as good as a viv as far as the snake is concerned. They are also very secure, almost impossible to escape from when racked, and easy to heat using cables and/or mats.

Apart from the enclosure itself, your boa’s housing requirements include heat, hides, branches and water.

Heating your boa’s enclosure

There are a number of different methods for heating your boas cage. Proper temperature is very important to keep your boa healthy. Heat can be provided from heat mats/pads, incandescent bulbs, or ceramic bulbs. My personal preference is to use ceramic bulbs, which give heat without light. Whatever heat source is used it must be controlled by a suitable thermostat, and bulbs should be properly guardded to prevent burns.

The warm end of the enclosure should be around the high end of the snake’s perferred temperature range (around 29 - 33 C for most propical boas such as boa constrictors) dropping to 27 - 29 C at the cooler end. A drop of a couple of degrees is recommended at night.

Hides and Furniture

Your boa will only feel secure and happy if adequate cover is provided. At least one hide, at the cooler end of the vivarium should be provided, and preferably at least one more nearer the warmer area. Commercial plastic hides and artificial caves are available, or upturned plastic bowls or cardboard boxes work fine.

Substrate

The floor of the boas cage needs a covering which is absorbant and easily replaced or cleaned. Loose substrates such as bark chippings or aspen look great, but paper towels or newspaper are quicker and easier to replace when soiled.  Using a substrate such as newspaper also means you can feed your boa in the vivarium, without the risk of substrate being injested and causing digestive problems.

Branches

Many boas will climb if given the opportunity, particularly juveniles. Provide some sturdy branches, properly secured so that they cannot be dislodged and fall. Make sure that branches are disinfected before introducing them to your boas housing.

Water

Finally a dish of clean water should be provided at all times. Boas will occasionally bathe so ensure that the dish is large and deep enough that your boa can submerge itself, which will help when it is time to shed. Replace the water and clean the dish every other day, or immediately if your snake has defecated in it which they occasionally will do.