New Cay Caulker Dwarf Boa - Need Advice

[BugToxin]

Hello Everyone,
I just got my first boa. She is a beautiful Cay Caulker female 2 year old, purchased from a local breeder who specializes in dwarf boa's. I had always wanted a boa, but couldn't decide on what type to buy untill just recently. I thought I had read all the nessecary care sheets and whatnot, but now that I have her I have the post-purchase-worries. Anyway, my biggest concern is heat. I have had a BP for over five months now, and I keep him along with all my other critters (including the new boa) in a room that is kept at about 80-82 degrees all year round by means of a space heater. Originally I was using an additional infared heat lamp with a minimal 50W bulb for one side of the BP tank (which is a 20G long aquarium). Unfortunately that side always got too hot and the snake stayed on the cool side all the time. When I removed the heat lamp he seemed much happier and now uses the entire tank, although he does still perfer one corner. The BP is eating very well and seems alert and quite healthy.

That being said, I worry that I'm not providing an optimal environment for my snakes. I have the boa in a 20G long as well, which I am quite sure she will eventually outgrow, and I am wondering if I should consider other heating options. I keep tarantulas in the same room as the snakes, and they grow faster if it is kept warm but don't really need the suplemental heat of the space heater. So here are my questions:

1. Should I get rid of the space heater altogether and rely on a heat lamp or heat pad to keep the snakes warm and provide that "variable temperature range" that most of the caresheets reccomend?
2. Should I keep the space heater to keep the whole room warmer than normal?
3. Is a thermostat a mandatory item for long term snake care? I know that they will be ok for now, but I'm guessing that the answer to this question is yes for long term health and happiness of my new boa.
4. If I need a thermostat, what is a good one to buy? Does anyone make a thermostat for two tanks? *BTW - I did read the sticky on this, but most of the links are broken.
5. Since my boa will eventually outgrow her 20L tank, where is the best place to buy a nice big plastic or wood tank suitable for an adult dwarf boa? I do not ever intend to breed snakes, nor do I want any type of tub-shelf unit. I want an attractive display tank for a snake of this size (5-7 ft. max I think). Also, I am not a handyman, and would rather spend some money for a tank than build one myself.

Well, that's it for now. I know I should have known this stuff before I got her, but as I said I thought I did. That is untill I got her home. Now I'm worried because I want her to have the best possible home. Thanks in advance for your advice.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

[Demona]

this is just my take on this ...

I would reccomend keeping your room temp around 80-82, or the lower end of the temperature requirements. For a hot side you shoudl use a lamp ot heat pad on one side, but with some kind of thermostat (preferred) or dimmer to prevent overheating

I have a Ranco ETC-111000, which has 6 outlets. you can use this on m ultuple cages so long as the cages are of very similar size, and the heat souses are the same (ie same bulb in same type of lamp). it only has one probe so you would have to moniter the other cages to be sure there wasn't a big temp change.

As for the cage, if your expecting a 5-7 foot snake then i'd say a 3'w x2d' x1'h front open. you could bump it up to 4'wide if you prefer

I got both my thermostat and 3'x2' cage from Rich at Reptile basics/ Reptile plactics. He's a great guy to do buisness with, though there are some complications for customers out of USA.

Another alternative for cages is boaphile. there cages look awoesome, but i personally don't like the low height.

here are some links

my thermostat
Reptile Basics Inc :: - Thermostats :: Ranco ETC-111000 Pre Wired

my cage
Reptile Basics Inc :: - Reptile Cages :: 2x3 Cage

and boaphile
Boaphile Plastics!!! The FIRST source of nearly every plastic cage/rack innovation in existence!

[BugToxin]

Thanks for the links. That is exactly the stuff I was looking for. I had also thought the same thing about using the same thermostat for both cages since they are exactly the same size. I think I will try that.

I also like the cages. Those guys (Reptile Basics) didn't come up when I googled, but I have had a couple of people now tell me good things about them. I think a 2X3 might also be a good size for an adult BP? Perhaps I will buy two so I will again have them both in the same size cage.

[Demona]

I have my female BP in the 2x3 now, and I think its perfect. They are so incredibly easy to clean I'll be getting another one for my male soon, but i might try boaphile this time. If ur in the staes though i'm sure you'll be 100% satisfied with Rich.

I wanted 2 identical cages, but as i mentioned there was some problems with shipping over the border, so unless i wanna drive over and pick it up myself... :S I've heared that boaphile has a better success rate with shipping.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.