This post is mostly directed toward Mr. Hoyer, but since I figured it might also be useful to other rubber boa afficionados so I am doing a general RB forum post.



Background: I am getting a new male rubber boa, and was planning on putting him into the same 15 gallon tank as my female (her name is Bonita) when he is over the quarantine period.



1) How long should I quarantine this new male RB? My CB Western hognoses and corn snake were each quarantined for a month, but didn't know if a (presumably) wild caught RB would need more time.



2)Also, since Bonita is brumating, I wasn't going to introduce them until she was active again. Or can I put them together just as soon as the quarantine period is done, whether or not she is up?



3) Will I need to increase to a 20gal long tank if I want to house them together? Or will the 15gal be all right for 2 RBs?





I have tried to figure out these next few questions via the internet, but no luck. So I am appealing to the venerable Mr. Hoyer.



1) Is there any visual way to tell between a Northern RB and Southern RB? (I ask because the woman who gave me my new male didn't know, and I wasn't sure if this was even much of an issue. My female is a Northern, I assume, since I found her in San Mateo County. I get the male tomorrow (I haven't actually seen him yet), and according to the picture, he is olive colored with a yellow underside--just like my female. I assume he is a Northern as well. But you know what they say about assuming things...)



2) If he is a Southern RB (doubtful), can he still eventually be put together with the female (again, I am assuming she is a Northern)? Or are the distinctions between the two subspecies too minimal to make any difference?



3) My female will be a yearling come 2013, but is that too young to be stuck with an adult male who will make overtures? Since 1 male 1 female usually equals babies, I want to make sure it's not too soon for her. She is a healthy girl, pounding 3-4 pinkies at a time, and has been gaining weight and shedding regularly. (Currently she is brumating, refusing to eat and rarely coming up to the surface at dawn or dusk like she normally does. She's been like this for almost 2 months, and I am expecting her to continue until at least February.)



I will say "Thank you" in advance, and hopefully, these questions and their respective answers will be informative for others here on the RB forum.



Thank you in advance!!



Laila



p.s. Mr. Hoyer, I am sorry I missed out on meeting/herping with you this year. I hope I can get the chance in 2013!

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