Vinnie

smarck · 07-05-13, 12:49 AM

Hi! I'm happy there is something out there for owners/parents of reptiles!

We've had our snake, Vinnie, for 6 years this month. We've had her since she was about 6 months old. She's a Columbian Rainbow Boa. She's approx. 5 feet long. And since she's a slender breed, she's only about a silver dollar's size in girth.

For most of her life, Vinnie has been in a 55 gallon tank. About a year ago, we upgraded her to a 75 gallon tank. She seems to like the ground space, as she's a burrower not a tree-dweller. However, for the first time in 6 years, she got out the other night. She was only out for a couple of hours and we've secured the top of her tank with weighted objects, being careful not to obstruct her airflow. Although we could order a 48x18 screen for $40+shipping, we would feel more comfortable getting a terrarium specifically made for reptiles. We've found a holiday deal at a local petstore for a 36x18x18 exo-terra terrarium for $160.
It has better insulation, more secure locks, and front opening doors rather than just the screen on top. However, that would be a square foot less room for her to burrow in. I don't want her to feel cramped, but we can't seem to find any terrariums within our budget that are any bigger than the 13x18x18 (inches) size. This seems to be a typical size and anything bigger seems to be exclusively for breeders or for snakes MUCH bigger than Vinnie.

I do not ever plan on breeding her or having her ever share her tank with another snake. So, any purchase I make will be with only Vinnie's comfort and safety in mind.

She's only estimated to grow one more foot in length. And will possibly girth out quite a bit more. She'll likely be in whatever we buy for the next 30 years. I just want her to have the space she needs, but I also want her to be as secure as possible.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm listening and very appreciative!

Thanks so much,
Sssssmarck!

Mark Taylor · 07-05-13, 03:16 AM

Hi and welcome.

slowhite03 · 07-05-13, 03:22 AM

It will take some searching but zilla makes a 90 gallon (48x24x18) critterr tank. I don't know if that would work for you. I found one place but I don't know where you live, so shipping may be expensive

https://blackjungleterrariumsupply.3...sp?itemid=1723

formica · 07-05-13, 03:32 AM

the general recomendation for CRB's is 1 square foot per foot length, 35x18x18 is 5 square feet - i'd go with just a little larger personally, 4x2 for 8 square feet - save a little more cash, theres no rush unless your rainbow is having problems with her current enclosure, deals for vivariums are popping up all the time

and def dont get somthing with a screen top, much harder to keep the humidity up with a screen top

Amadeus · 07-05-13, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smarck

Hi! I'm happy there is something out there for owners/parents of reptiles!

We've had our snake, Vinnie, for 6 years this month. We've had her since she was about 6 months old. She's a Columbian Rainbow Boa. She's approx. 5 feet long. And since she's a slender breed, she's only about a silver dollar's size in girth.

For most of her life, Vinnie has been in a 55 gallon tank. About a year ago, we upgraded her to a 75 gallon tank. She seems to like the ground space, as she's a burrower not a tree-dweller. However, for the first time in 6 years, she got out the other night. She was only out for a couple of hours and we've secured the top of her tank with weighted objects, being careful not to obstruct her airflow. Although we could order a 48x18 screen for $40+shipping, we would feel more comfortable getting a terrarium specifically made for reptiles. We've found a holiday deal at a local petstore for a 36x18x18 exo-terra terrarium for $160.
It has better insulation, more secure locks, and front opening doors rather than just the screen on top. However, that would be a square foot less room for her to burrow in. I don't want her to feel cramped, but we can't seem to find any terrariums within our budget that are any bigger than the 13x18x18 (inches) size. This seems to be a typical size and anything bigger seems to be exclusively for breeders or for snakes MUCH bigger than Vinnie.

I do not ever plan on breeding her or having her ever share her tank with another snake. So, any purchase I make will be with only Vinnie's comfort and safety in mind.

She's only estimated to grow one more foot in length. And will possibly girth out quite a bit more. She'll likely be in whatever we buy for the next 30 years. I just want her to have the space she needs, but I also want her to be as secure as possible.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm listening and very appreciative!

Thanks so much,
Sssssmarck!

Obstructing the air flow on an aquarium is exactly what you want to do. CRBS need a high humidity environment to thrive.

Look into PVC cages on the internet.

Snakesitter · 07-05-13, 01:52 PM

Sssssmarck, have you checked out plastic vivs, such as made by Boaphile or Animal Plastics? They work brilliantly for rainbows as they retain humidity well and offer more privacy.

sweatshirt · 07-05-13, 02:01 PM

Welcome!