Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello evryone,

I'm new to rainbow boas, but they are very beautiful and interesting, and I am thinking about getting one. As I know they require rather high humidity, and if I were to go away how would I keep humidity up. Would just leaving a large water bowl work (Something that would be in there anyways for soaking)? Does anyone have any sugestions?

Thanks

it depends on what kind of enclosure you have... aquarium-style tanks are SO hard to keep at the proper levels, but tubs are perfect for these guys... I have my BRB in a 40qt tub, and I never have to mist her, I just make sure her water dish is full and the lid's on tight
-----
65 animals... and the number keeps growing!

Honestly.. several things come into play on how to answer this question.

Outside humidity, the type of cage used, the size of cage, size of the animal, substrate used, even if there is a heater or airconditioner in the room has a role in the humidity.

It will also depend on how long you are to be "gone away"

The way I set my rainbows up require very very little outside influence to keep humidity up. I rarely mist, and only then if they are shedding.

A large water bowl in comparison to the animal is something you should have anyway, and it will certainly help to keep humidity up. I would also either use a plastic tub (rubbermaid, iris, sterilite etc.. ) w/ limited ventilation will also help. I would recommend using cypress mulch or at least create a hide box big enough for you animal and line the bottom w/ wet/damp moss. Spaghnum works well.

Glass aquariums make for nice displays.. but are very hard to maintain temps and humidity for extended periods..

another option is to get the pvc or plastic made snake cages with little to no vents on them sized to fit your snake.

>>Hello evryone,
>>
>>I'm new to rainbow boas, but they are very beautiful and interesting, and I am thinking about getting one. As I know they require rather high humidity, and if I were to go away how would I keep humidity up. Would just leaving a large water bowl work (Something that would be in there anyways for soaking)? Does anyone have any sugestions?
>>
>>Thanks
-----
photos.xtremecombatsports.com

Water bowl over heat source and/or very important- limit ventilation or the moving air will dry out everything
Bob

Thanks everyone. The most I would probably be away would be a week ot two at max. The thing is with little ventialation would stagnant air be an issue? Also I was planning on going with a tub as they just make a lot more sense. Any measurements on the tubs you use for adults?

Thanks again.

Stagnant might be an issue but only make small holes on the sides rather than the top and only make the necessary amount you need without drying the tub out (trial and error) and using cypress mulch in my tubs it got musty smelling rather quickly I think and I have switched over to pine shavings and haven't looked back yet. Provide a small hidebox or I use a coconut when they are small and put spaghnum moss in it damp which also serves as their toilet paper so they have a humid spot and a dry spot elsewhere. For adults, check out the Iris cb110 I think they are 40 inches by 16 by 6ish high plenty of room for males but maybe not for breeding females though. Hope it helps and welcome to the best forum on ks
Bob

-

Since this topic comes up from time to time, I've created a document with all my answers. Not steadfast rules and/or guidelines, just what works for me.

Being from tropical rain forests, Rainbow Boas require high humidity. There are three basic factors to humidity:

Evaporation - is the process of water molecules becoming airborne.

Dissipation - The natural tendency of airborne water particles is to spread out as far apart as possible.

Condensation - warm moist air contacting a cooler surface will cause the water molecules to condense into droplets on the cool surface.

The number one mistake made with rainbow boas is to give them lots of ventilation. They really do not require much oxygen. They've even been reported to submerge under water for up to 30 minutes at a time. That ventilation will allow all those precious airborne water molecules to dissipate into your house. Unless your house is humid, many more will leave than enter. This will result in the enclosure drying out.

Many keepers use misting regimens to keep humidity levels up. IMO, you need to set up the environment so it will automatically be humid. Here are the steps I take to provide that environment.

1) LIMIT VENTILATION - my cages at around 6 cubic feet only have one two inch round vent each. More than enough for air exchange.

2) Provide LARGE surface area water bowls. Remember, the larger the surface area, the more water will evaporate.

3) I provide damp hide boxes. A sweater box size for adults with holes in the sides. An inch of peat moss and another inch of green moss. All kept damp

4) Depending on your enclosure you can fine tune your system by moving the water bowl around. Closer to the warm end and more evaporation, closer to the cool end and less.

My cages:

A moss box:

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps.
-----
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:
20.28 BRB
16.18 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

...
-----
Thanks,

Frank Roberts
Roberts' Realm Of Reptile Research