Corallus hortulanus questions

[David_F]

Hey all. I've noticed that a few people here keep Amazon tree boas and I'm considering picking one up next month. I've found a lot of good informational sites and will be getting a book or two to read before I buy the snake but I have a couple questions that I'd like answers to.

More than likely the snake I get will be a WC adult. I've read that they acclimate very easily but what exactly is "easy"? "Put it in the enclosure, leave it alone for a while, and then feed it" easy or is there more involved?

I haven't been able to find anything saying what size enclosure is ideal. I've read that you could keep an adult in a 10 gallon aquarium but that doesn't seem right. How big should the enclosure be? Also, what would be the best type of enclosure to use? Right now I'm thinking of using large rubbermaid tubs. Finally, what is the best way to go about heating the enclosure from your experience?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[misfitsfiend]

I use a tall 20 gal. For my ATB. They are agressive, but awsome snakes over all.

 

[Lasiodora]

Well Dave,
I personally would try to get a cb snake. Wild caught adults sometimes do not acclimate well to captive conditions and are most often parasite loaded. CB babies are relatively inexpensive if you go for the more drab color morphs. Amazons get expensive when you start talking about solid red or yellow morphs. If you insist on getting wc, go with a sub adult or very healthy baby. Make sure you ask when the last time it ate was. Also thoroughly examine the snake before you make a purchase. Let the snake crawl through your hands and check for scars, bumps, or any other injuries or examine it the best you can from a distance. Make sure you check it for mites. Keep in mind too that the majority of amazons are very defensive (meaning they wil bite everytime you attempt to handle them). 10g tank is way too small for an adult and a 20g I guess would be the minimum. I like to go big but that's just me. When choosing a tank height is more important than floor space. What type of cage you choose is up to you. There are many plastic cages like vision and boaphile cages that have arboreal models. You could also go with high aquariums or custum make one yourself. You mentioned a rubbermaid. Here's a link to a set up I use with arboreals: <<click me>>
Here are the dimensions: 22lx13hx12w
BTW the best way to heat arboreals is from above using a heat lamp or radiant heat panel. The only exception would be if you kept them in a rack system with a thermostat.
Mike

 

[David_F]

Thanks for the input guys.

Mike,
Yes, a CB yearling is what I'd prefer. I'm hoping some of the dealers at the local show have some but from checking around it looks like they only carry WC. Thanks for the link to the pic of your set up. That was one of the threads I looked at when I first decided to look into arboreal snakes. I had forgotten all about it.

Thanks again.