Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am the proud new owner of a seven month old male BRB. He is an awesome little camper. I have had him about four days now. When i first got him into his new home he loved it. went exploring found his favorite spot and has been chilling ever since. I am really determined to ensure that he is a happy guy. I have been obsessive over keeping a 77-82% humidity and an ambient temp of 83 with a high side of 87 and a cool side of 79. Now here is the strange part I cannot figure out. Last night I went to take him out for his usual nightly handling and he chilled around my hand for a few minutes then started exploring then climbed back up onto my hand, and for lack of a better word, passed out. Just kind of went limp, he was still aware and moving and whatnot but was not using any strangth to keep himself attached to my hand. I got scared and thought maybe he got shocked by the room temp vs tank temp so i quickly put him back in the tank, and he seemed to immediately recover and went off to his favorite hide spot. I took him out this morning and he did the exact same thing, this time as soon as i removed him from the cage. Is something wrong with him physically? or is he expressing displeasure at being handled? Am i doing something wrong? whats teh deal? I am really trying to make sure he is a happy little guy, but passing out is kind of strange... any help helps... Thanks

87 on the hot side and 79 on the cool side, try getting 80-82 hot side and cool side about 74. If you scroll up a little on the boa forum you will see other sub-forums and one of which is dedicated entirely to Rainbow boas. I don't know about the passing out part but they got a couple of guys in the forum that can properly address your problem(s) but definately lower the heat in the meantime and don't even think about feeding him. Hope it helps and I would copy and paste your post in the Rainbow forum but I'm sure Dave will see your post and help you out further.
Bob

I will try doing as you say. Thank you for the advice.

Hey Dave the optimal temp. your brb will seek will probably be in the 78 degree range but after eating they will seek a warmer environment about 80-82ish but it differs for some but those are real close targets you may want to shoot for. What do you mean by your ambient temp. is 83? Is this taken outside of the tank or not? He was probably hot and wants some water to rehydrate his system so I would turn off the heat and put his bowl of water exclusively on the cold side to help him thermoregulate right now and maybe throw a towel over his tank to limit the stress of the temps. for the past few days and not to cause any more by visible movement but he should theoretically seek out the temp. range he wanted to be in but this is not always the case though. Welcome to the forum btw
Bob

Thanks for the welcome. by ambient i mean that the midrange temp of my tank is right about 80 varying five degrees each way for warmer and cooler sides. Which i have checked rechecked and checked again with two different thermometers and hygrometers. The humidity varies between 75 and 80 depending on section of tank...

Hey, Bob's right, I keep my babies at 77 degrees. So lower your temps. Do you have a temp gun? VERY handy and don't know how I ever did without one. If so, what temp is he seeking, Probably toward the cool side, Most likely a damp hidden spot!

Also, I have NEVER, ever, don't even own a hygrometer, measured humidity, too much importance is placed on the actual number than the concept. If your enclosure has ample sources of evaporation AND minimal means of escape (ventilation) then humidity is automatic!!
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
19.29 BRB
13.18 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats