Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i can't decide between getting a dumeril's boa or a rainbow boa. i love the look of both snakes and have done my research, but would love opinions of some who keep either. i currently keep 1 colombian red tail boa, 6 ball pythons, 4 corn snakes, 2 texas rat snakes, 2 green iguanas, and a leopard gecko....thx ahead for any replies

I guess it depends on whether you like getting snakebit all the time or not. I've kept both. Although they were so beautiful, I eventually sold the rainbows because I got tired of bleeding and having to maintain the humidity (another challenge if you live in an arid environment). I currently have Dums and have no complaints. My Dums are puppy dog tame, easy as can be, and have killer pattern and color. Good luck.

I really want to get another one someday. Check these out.
John
http://community.webshots.com/album/29500804wRjmFskdMr
Pics

-----
"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

The lack of founder animals means that there have been a lot of in-bred animals. It will take some work to track down a pair that aren't closely related.
With BRB's, you can just grab an animal from one breeder and another from another breeder and there's not much chance of them being related. Plus, they're BEAUTIFUL animals (especially in sunlight), they feed well, and they're a little challenging (which is fun).
But, I'd recommend doing some more homework until you can come up w/ a decision on your own, don't go based on our recommendations.
and by the way... brb's will generally settle down...
jb
-----
Jonathan Brady
My Kingsnake Photo Gallery

I agree, I like BRB's better than dum's. I was considering BRB's for a long time, but then I got into the closely related, endangered Cuban Boa. Personally, I have never been bitten by a BRB, and I have held a lot of them. I held a CB dum, and he was mean as hell. If you get your animal captive bred, BRB's won't be mean as they get older. I think the extra beauty of a BRB makes up for them being nippy babies. A friend of mine breeds pure Peruvian Rainbows. OMG!!! They are the brightest, most iridescent animals I have ever seen, its incredible. Unfortunately, a pair runs about $1200, if you can find them anywhere. Brazilians are also extraordinary. Get a pair of BRB's, you will appreciate them more in the long run.

I agree with you guys. My BRB is actually the most docile, easy-to-handle Boa that I have. Yeah, they are a bit nippy when little, but with care they settle down. BRB's are the 'total package' boa - they are beautiful, relatively easy to care for, and stay small.

I currently own a Dum, and two common boas (columbian redtails), and I'm actually aquiring a pair of BRB's. My Dum's is great and wouldn't trade her for the world, but she was just as nippy and nervous as any BRB could/would be and will also settle down as she get's older. I've only heard of someone being bit by a BRB when it was gravid. very relaxed snake when younger when compared to dums I think. but again I feel almost any newborn, no matter what species will tend to be nippy. just my thoughts though. Good Luck! Both are great snakes.
-----
Thanks, J

I personally disagree, I currently own a subadt female Dumeril and she has always been the most docile snake in my collection ever since a juvenile. Although I have never kept Rainbows I know that they need high humidity and a moist environment.
Dumerils are very easy to keep, feed well from juv and are very docile snakes. All round best boa IMO.