Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I help in the animal facility of a college. I take care of the herps and terrestrial invertebrates. I have several species of Colubrids and a couple of Vipers.
However, I am interested in a Brazilian Rainbow Boa. Can any of you who have had experience give me some pointers? (their temperament, cage requirements, etc.)
Thanks!
CDM

Check out Jeff Clarks care sheet for a good reference, it can be found fairly easily (someday they'll have it on the main menu for this forum). Some personal observations: brand new BRB's are nippy but with regular handling will quickly settle down (the trick is to not screw around when picking them up, once in hand they rarely bite), sub-adults and adults are placid in temperament.
If you supply them with under-tank type heating and you feed them very regularly you'll not be seeing them much, maybe their heads poking out of the substrate in the evening when ready for the next rat. I have my adults in a 6'Lx4'Hx3'D enclosure with a temp gradient of 70-90 created by incandescent night lights of varing watts. Though they utilize the entire range of temperature, they are most often found where the temp is 72-80. Young BRB's do very well in rubbermaid type containers with a heat pad set on low under one side.
I feed my male every 14 days or so and my female every 7 to 10 days in a separate container, sub-adults weekly.
Young BRB's are pretty shy but acclimated adults are relaxed, and I'm finding now with my 5 and 6 yr. olds, curious. Mine like to climb and spread out on horizontal limbs. You can encourage your BRB to be more active if you offer an ambient temperature gradient, both horizontally and vertically.
Paul

I help in the animal facility of a college. I take care of the herps and terrestrial invertebrates. I have several species of Colubrids and a couple of Vipers.
However, I am interested in a Brazilian Rainbow Boa. Can any of you who have had experience give me some pointers? (their temperament, cage requirements, etc.)