In October of 2008
we moved our animals from the facility we were renting to our new home, which happen to come with a 900sq/ft garage that was
quickly converted into a snake den that was far more efficient than the previous facility. With a few lessons
learned from the previous place in mind we were able to improve upon some features this time around as well as making a much
safer controlled environment to keep our animals in. It has also been a huge asset having the collection
so close at all times, allowing us to monitor everything from behavior characteristics to breeding trials with much closer
attention.
We brought along our Freedom Breeder units (www.freedombreeder.com) along with us and are currently using 5 different sizes of these units and have been
amazed with the efficiency and ease of using them.
Our
Breeder Females are being kept in the Jumbo Units. 48” x 30” x 9.5” for our younger breeders
and smaller adults and our larger, more mature Females are kept in 66” x 30” x 9.5” units.
Our
Breeder Males and Young Females are kept in one of two sizes, 33” x 17” x 8.5” or 33” x 27.5”
x 8.5”. We begin moving animals into the smaller of these two units near their first birthday and
then as they grow larger and need more space they can be moved up into the larger unit.
For all animals under a year old we use two more sizes of caging. When babies
are born they are kept in the small units which measure 21.5” x 9” x 3.5”. These units
are very space efficient and perfect for keeping baby Boas up to about 4 months of age. After they have
outgrown their first environment they are moved into units that measure 21.5” x 16” x 5”. This
unit is more than adequate for animals up to 1 year old.
All the cages are heated
with Flexwatt Heat Tape. 48” units use a 24” x 12” panel that runs from front to back
on one end of the cage. This provides adequate space for gravid females to coil up during gestation.
The rest of the units use 3” panels that runs the entire length of back of the cages and gives all the adult
males and juveniles plenty of space to warm up if they so choose. All of these units are controlled by
Helix DBS-1000 Proportional Controllers (www.helixcontrols.com). These units never completely cut the heat supply off, but rather
keep it at a constant temperature (+/- 1 degree) to ensure a consistent basking area for the animals.
To ensure a fresh and safe water source is available,
we use disposable deli cups that are discarded and replaced as necessary. In most cases they are replaced
every 2 to 3 weeks unless they have been compromised in any way, then they are replaced immediately. Each
cup is checked daily and emptied and replenished with fresh water twice per week. For yearling and older
animals these cups are stabilized by 4” Stoneware croc bowls. Our Adult Boas are provided with 8”
Stoneware croc bowls that are emptied, cleaned and refilled twice per week.
We use Aspen bedding in each of our cages. After many years of using corrugated
wrap for them, we made the switch back to Aspen bedding due to the ability to contain humidity as well as the comfort for
the animals to be able to bury themselves or rearrange things as they see fit.
To
clean and disinfect our cages we use a product called Virosan or Nolvasan (Chlorhexidine Solution). It
comes in a solution form and is mixed with water to create a product that is completely safe for the animals and eliminates
99.9% of bacteria and common germs without any harsh odors or the use of bleach. It can be purchased from
your local veterinarian or an online veterinarian supply store.
All of these ingredients and a lot of hard work and dedication have created
an environment for our Boas to thrive in which will not only provide you as the customer a healthy animal upon purchase, but
also provide new keepers with a guide to keeping a healthy, stable reptile collection!
