Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm really looking into getting my first BRB, and I notice many people discouraging them as pets because of their humidity needs, size and speed, nippieness, etc. I've had snakes before, granted they were mexicana kingsnakes (I know, pretty much the opposite of a rainbow boa in terms of environment and size), but I'm not really a beginner. I've set up my 29 gallon tank (I know I'll eventually need something bigger) and I have the needed humidity and temps down to the necesary parameters. I'm just a little hesitant now to go through with it because everyone talks about how BRB's can be "unpredictable", even once their past their 'nippy' stage as babies. What do you all think about them for someone like me?

My opinion is that there is so much information availble on line these days, there's really no reason to classify snakes as "beginner" snakes. I've only had one BRB (many years ago), and I did a horrible job caring for it, but that was partly because I didn't do enough research, and partly because there weren't so many online resources to access. For BRB's, all you really need is this forum to get husbandry specifics, everyone is very helpful and knowledgeable. If you can provide the necessary requirements (ie, humidity, temp gradient, etc.), you should be fine.

Good luck,
Ed

>>I'm really looking into getting my first BRB, and I notice many people discouraging them as pets because of their humidity needs, size and speed, nippieness, etc. I've had snakes before, granted they were mexicana kingsnakes (I know, pretty much the opposite of a rainbow boa in terms of environment and size), but I'm not really a beginner. I've set up my 29 gallon tank (I know I'll eventually need something bigger) and I have the needed humidity and temps down to the necesary parameters. I'm just a little hesitant now to go through with it because everyone talks about how BRB's can be "unpredictable", even once their past their 'nippy' stage as babies. What do you all think about them for someone like me?

I feel they are fine for beginners. As long as you have thermostat for the right temps and have enough humidity you have the two keys down. The temps should be about 82 or so on the warm side and 72 or so on the cool side. Humidity should be high - espescially for babies.

In a glass tank just keep the lid covered with plastic wrap or foil. A key in keeping humidity is decreasing air flow. I would also suggest using cypress mulch - as it holds humidity better than other substrates. Also, having a moss pit hide box will also help. If you get a brb Dave can share his post on building hide boxes - as I copied his design.

As far as being nippy - Once they are past being nippy as babies (and only some are nippy as babies) - I know ahead of time every time that I have been bit that it was going to happen. Not washing hands after handling my cats - or knownly handling a grumpy snake (around shed) are my two main causes.
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Mike

7.13 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

I think BRB care is as easy as corn snakes except that you need to keep the humidity up. As long as the potential keeper realizes that they can relatively easily die of dehydration and is willing to keep monitoring the humidity to get it correct then there is no reason someone should not keep them as a first snake.

I have yet to handle/meet a BRB that I was worried about getting nipped by unless I was messing with it while it was so far in blue that they were blind. My own I even pick up occasionally to do cage maintenance when totally blind in blue and have never been even struck at let alone hit. As long as they are handled from a young age I don't think you have anything to worry about in terms of temperment.

Sean.
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1.1 BRB
1.1 Triple Het TPRS's
1.1 Amel Bloodred Corns
0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
0.1 Blizzard Bloodred Corn
1.1 Thayeri Kingsnakes
0.1 Reeve's Turtle
0.2 Amstaff's
1.0 Pudytat

really, they are not difficult at all to keep. The important part is the cage. IMO do NOT go with a glass fishtank!! Two distinct problems with that style caging both can be bandaided but IMO better off with a more appropriate style cage.

1) screen top loeaks out all the humidity and warm air. To bandaid oit you can cover most of the top with plastic etc. to prevent the loss of all the=at warm damp air. To keep the humidity up in a BRB enclosure, you really need to limit the ventilation.

2) Glass sides "leak" heast out into the room. Unless you're like me with a dedicated snake room that is always warm, the glass sides will conduct the heat right oiut into the room and the heat element(s) will work overtime to compensate. Problem is that will make really warm spots and really cold ones as well. To bandaid that one, you can insulate three sides, reflectix works well for that.

DO NOT use an overhead heat lamp, really dries out the enclosure.

IMO best setup for an adult is one of the newer drop front plastic cages. There are several companies to choose from, I have several from Boaphileplastics.com

AND, I really believe a good thermostat is key in maintaining correct temps. I use Helix DBS1000 for single applications or Herpstat Pro for multiple cage setups. The herpstat Pro is litterally four seperate controllers in one package.

As for the snakes, all mine are just fine including a WC female I picked up a year ago. Just like any snake, you need to pay attention to moods and adjust your handling accordingly. Most of mine are just reach in and grab it, no hook, no glove etc. I do have a couple I have to watch closer but really that's an individual snake thing, not the species.

They are not docile like a ball python, for the most part you can't sit there and zone out watching TV while holding them, they will want to go and explore.
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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:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks everybody I'm really glad to know that. I actually found one at a petstore that's at least 8 months old (they weren't too sure, he's about 22 inches long though and looks good, he's got a lump in his belly from eating and everything). He's out of that nippy stage too, he's a little overwhelmed I think and curled up when I put him in his cage but hes been fine otherwise. Doesn't seem to bite either but we'll see.

I have an overhead ceramic heater right now (it really is taking out all the humidity I have to spray a ton), I had an under tank heater but it just wasn't cutting it. What else do you recommend?

Congrats!!! Sounds like you have a fishtank, not optimal but can be made to work, like I suggested, close off almost all of the top and insulate the sides.
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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:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

misting is NOT a good substitute for natural humidity. I always recommend getting the enclosure set up so it stays humid on it's own. That way if you forget to mist or go away for a couple of days, no big deal!!
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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:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats