How to Build a Cage for a Colombian Red Tailed Boa

Obtain a cage or enclosure appropriate for the size of your boa. The bottom area must be six times the area of the snake when in a flat coil. Red-tail boas are ground dwellers, so the ground space of the enclosure is more important than height. For a hatchling, a 20-gallon aquarium is appropriate, but it will grow to need a much larger enclosure. Converting an unused room about the size of a walk-in closet is also possible.

Place several layers of substrate in the enclosure. Paper towels or newspaper should be used for new snakes to allow for easy monitoring of parasites and health problems. After a few weeks of observation, you can switch to more decorative substrate like cypress or fir bark.

Cut an access hole in plastic container or cardboard box and place it upside down in the enclosure to create a "hide."The hide should be just large enough to completely cover the snake and give it a bit of room to move. More attractive hides can be purchased from pet stores.

Add branches for the snake to climb on. The branches should be firm enough to completely support the snake's weight. If you use found branches, soak them in a bleach solution (mix 1 part bleach with 9 parts water in a large bucket or trash can) for four hours, then rinse thoroughly and let dry completely.

Place a water bowl or pan in the enclosure. It should be large enough for your entire snake to fit inside. Your snake's water should be changed daily.

Install the heating fixtures. For a tank-based enclosure, specialty reptile heating pads or under-tank heaters work best. You can also use iridescent or ceramic heating elements in light fixtures, but these must be screened-off so the snake can't burn itself by brushing against the bulb or fixture.

Place a basking rock in the cage. This is an essential element for any cold-blooded animal. Heat the basking area with a basking light or other heating element. Unlike many snakes, red-tail boas do not require a UV light.

Attach three thermometers inside the cage: one at the basking end of the cage, one at the cool end, a third near the highest climbing branches. These will permit you to monitor the temperature gradient.

Plug in everything and let it sit for several hours. Watch the temperature and adjust the fixtures as necessary to get the proper temperature gradient. The ambient air temperature during daytime should be 82 to 90 degrees and the basking area should be 90 to 95 degrees. At night, the ambient temperature should be allowed to drop to 78 to 85 degrees.

Measure the humidity inside the enclosure using a hygrometer. For best results place the probe about 1 inch above the substrate. Humidity should be 55 to 60 percent at all times. If humidity is too high, install a wire lid or drill holes in the existing lid. If it is too low, a damp towel can be placed in the cage to add moisture. The towel should be refreshed daily.

Monitor the temperature and humidity every few hours. Once you can maintain correct temperature and humidity levels for two consecutive days, your enclosure is ready for a snake.

Clean the cage a least once a month. The substrate should also be changed once a month or whenever the snake defecates. Use a mild bleach solution or reptile-cage cleaning product to sterilize the cage or for spot cleaning. Always rinse the enclosure or area after you use bleach.