Best cage for hatchling?

Azrt · 05-19-17, 11:03 PM

I'm in the market for a hatchling boa and curious what most use for an enclosure before moving on to a final 4-6 ft cage.

Thanks

dannybgoode · 05-20-17, 12:01 AM

I'm going to be controversial and say just put it in it's adult viv.

I wouldn't necessarily say that with a very small neonate snake (a very young corn form example) but I put my Boa imperator straight in a 4' with plenty of hides etc and she was just fine.

Snakes don't mind big spaces (the wild is pretty large after all). They mind large open spaces - if you only had 2 hides in there that could cause stress but 6 or 7 dotted around gives plenty of choice and not a too larger open space to move between them.

I know a good number of keepers who do likewise with all manner of species and plenty of them would stick pretty much any snake straight into its adult enclosure.

She is getting a viv upgrade though as I tend to oversize my enclosures so she's now 22mo and between 3&4' and she's getting a 6x2x2 viv next month. This will be her permanent home unless by some freak she gets to 8' + (she's a central American locality so shouldn't do but her mum was a big snake).

Azrt · 05-20-17, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

I'm going to be controversial and say just put it in it's adult viv.

I wouldn't necessarily say that with a very small neonate snake (a very young corn form example) but I put my Boa imperator straight in a 4' with plenty of hides etc and she was just fine.

Snakes don't mind big spaces (the wild is pretty large after all). They mind large open spaces - if you only had 2 hides in there that could cause stress but 6 or 7 dotted around gives plenty of choice and not a too larger open space to move between them.

I know a good number of keepers who do likewise with all manner of species and plenty of them would stick pretty much any snake straight into its adult enclosure.

She is getting a viv upgrade though as I tend to oversize my enclosures so she's now 22mo and between 3&4' and she's getting a 6x2x2 viv next month. This will be her permanent home unless by some freak she gets to 8' + (she's a central American locality so shouldn't do but her mum was a big snake).

Thanks for the info. That's the same thought process I had as well just wasn't sure about it. Plenty of hides, plants etc and she should be good

trailblazer295 · 05-20-17, 08:56 AM

Depends on the snake, some can go to adult spaces and be okay others get very stressed. If you already have the cage then just clutter it right up and then watch. If it's okay then you're good. If it acts stressed then you might need to look into a growout cage.

Azrt · 05-20-17, 11:38 AM

I don't have the cage yet. No the process of shopping for it

trailblazer295 · 05-20-17, 11:43 AM

I start mine in smaller cages but that's because I have a few suitable grow out cages already and not the adult ones. I bought 1 as a BP cage but decided I wanted bigger so I got a bigger one. But bought another snake for the smaller one, then swapped then upgraded him so had a spare which ends up being a grow out. If you can buy the adult cage and buy enough decor to clutter it try that. And then check for problems

pet_snake_78 · 05-22-17, 06:01 PM

A hatchling might be able to escape from a cage designed for adult boas, check the design first. Personally, I'd stick the thing in a plastic bin for a few months and let it get some size on it.

Azrt · 05-22-17, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pet_snake_78

A hatchling might be able to escape from a cage designed for adult boas, check the design first. Personally, I'd stick the thing in a plastic bin for a few months and let it get some size on it.

I'm thinking of going with a 36 qt tub