Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie and I'm looking into purchasing a Brazilian Rainbow Boa baby from a local breeder in the next few weeks.

What should I look for when I pick my baby out? What questions should I ask? I also need to buy an enclosure and accessories...what size tank should I buy for a 3-week old baby? The breeder offered to sell me a 10-gallon with lid, but I'm not sure if that will be big enough.

Any input would be appreciated.

Lauren

hi im by no means an expert, but i can tell you that for the first 2 months or so all you will need is a plastic shoe box a water dish for the baby something to hide in and some paper towels. they are more comfortable in a tight small place so they dont get nervous. the other guys on here are like gurus and know everything youll get great info from them
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1.0 of Me
0.1 girlfriend man is she a pretty one
1.3 Brazilian rainbow Boas
?.? Baby Brazilian rainbow boas
0.1 Australian blue Heeler puppy 1 year old.
TOO.MANY hours of school and work a week
NOT.ENOUGH money in the bank

Hi Lauren, welcome to the forum!!

Here are links to a couple of my caresheets, read through them and come back with any questions you still have...

BRB caresheet
Humidity caresheet

As to picking one out, go with what you like, healthy, well fed and IMO very important are individual record cards, not just any old baby pulled out of a pile.

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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 for the info. Should I pass on the 10 gallon tank then? Do you think it will be too big for the baby?

What do you recommend for keeping the enclosure at the desired temperature? I know heated rocks are a no-no, and I've heard mixed things about the under tank heating pads. Any input?

np...

A 10 gallon is not too big, that is an old wives (breeder) tale. Babies do just fine in larger enclosures PROVIDED proper temps/humidity and hides are provided.

The real problems with a 10 gallon tank are .....

Screen top will let ou all the humidity and heat. Need to cover most of that with a solid vapor barrier. Sheet of plastic etc.

Glass is a great conductor of heat, unfortunately unless you keep the tank in a heated herp room, it will lose heat to the room. can be fixed by insulating three sides. I like Reflectix, found in the insulation area of home improvemnet stores like home depot or lowes. It's basically aluminized plastic bubble wrap.

UTH's are the way to go but you need some sort of control on them. Best is a proportional thermostat, next would be an on/off WITH an inline dimmer between the stat and UTH. Keeps the UTH from getting full power. Least would be a dimmer alone, requires adjusting by you.

IMO the best enclosures for babies are tub racks with belly flexwatt. Easier to control a smaller microclimate!!

IMO the best enclosures for adults are one of the plastic type cages like Boaphileplastics.com

>>Thanks for the info. Should I pass on the 10 gallon tank then? Do you think it will be too big for the baby?
>>
>>What do you recommend for keeping the enclosure at the desired temperature? I know heated rocks are a no-no, and I've heard mixed things about the under tank heating pads. Any input?
-----
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 for the info.

I went to pick out my new addition last night and reserved a gorgeous mahogany female. The breeder was trying to push me into getting a pair so I can breed later, but I don't know that breeding is for me, so I'll stick to one for now. I get to pick her up next weekend. She was very sweet and fairly calm...let me handle her with no bites. She's eating and has great color. I'll be using the 10 gallon for her, though her breeder said to get a light instead of the heating pad. I think I'm going to go with the heating pad anyway, because I've read that lights can dry out the enclosure. It has a screen top, so I'm going to do what you said and keep most of the lid covered with a sheet of plastic to keep moisture in.

I cannot wait to pick up my little girl! I'll be sure to post pics when I get her. Thanks again for the advice.

Cool, Congrats and we're all waiting to see pics of your new lil gem!!!

And Yeah, lights do tend to dry out enclosures!!!
-----
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