Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, I'm new to keeping BRB's - just got my first little girl, Garnet. She's about 6 months old and I'll post pictures as soon as it's ok to pester her I have her housed in a glass aquarium (I DO have the screen top almost completely covered), on cypress mulch with a large, shallow water dish, with a dry and a wet hide. Any tips on increasing humidity? I've been watching it very closely. I can post a picture of the set-up if necessary.

My other two scale-babies are an adult ball python and a sub-adult Savu python, so the BRB's a little departure in husbandry and I don't want to make any mistakes. I've been reading care sheets here and there. It seems like most of you guys are breeders, so please be patient with me!

It sounds like you're off to a great start. At this point, keep an eye on her behavior and pay attention to where she spends most of her time. Ideally, when a cage is set up properly it'll maintain the humidity without having to spray. Also, make sure the wet hide is moist without being soggy. Overall, it looks like you've done your research and have a good grasp on what you're doing. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of Garnet. Best of luck to you.

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Paul D

www.MoonlightBoas.com

Thanks! She's been comfortable enough in the past two days to be out motoring around the tank, so I'm going to try for the first feeding tonight. Wish me luck!

Was she shipped? If so I'd give her a few more days of settle in time. Food is not so much of a necessity for them. At least not right away, they can go for months between meals. Shipping has to be a level of stress on them and IMO it's best to let them settle in for several days before adding more stress on them.
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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 (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

No she came from a local herp store and was bred locally as well.

In that case, feed away but still keep the first meal a little on the small size!
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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 (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Sounds like you've done your research ahead of time - awesome!!!

Your best indicators of humidity are condensation on the sides and the best indicator of all is full complete sheds from Garnet!! OK if torn on cage furnishings, just not coming off in pieces, that indicates dehydration.

If you do need to increase humidity, cover even more of the top. Depending on how often you open the cage you could cover almost all of the top. They really do not consume much oxygen.

One other suggestion would be to cover three sides of the tank with insulation. I like a product called reflectix, basically heavy duty bubble wrap made from aluminized plastic.

Congrats again and just so you know, pics are semi required (semi cause we can't enforce the rule ) and pics of your other scaley friends are welcome here as well!!
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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 (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Insulation is a good idea. I've got a humidity gauge in the tank just in case (sometimes I need idiot-proof instructions, haha!). I'm thinking that I may do away with the heat lamp because ambient temp in the tank tends to stay around 83-85 degrees. It's tall rather than long, so the hot spot is higher up. I've been using the lamp off and on as needed. I live in San Diego, so the outside temp doesn't vary all that much.

I can't wait to get some glamour shots! My other ladies are overdue for it as well

Yeah, overhead heat lamps are not the best plan for BRB's, they tend to dry things out. Best would be a UTH (Under Tank Heater) on a proportional thermostat. Those temps are a little high, but may be just fine depending on where you are measuring. Re,member, BRB's tend to stay on the ground so measure temps at ground level. Best is 75 - 80.
-----
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 (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Hrm that's what I thought. I'd better cool it down a bit then and only use the lamp in winter. Thank you!