Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'd like to get a juvenile BRB this spring or fall. I've read many care sheets, some stuff in books, and the threads on this site and a couple others. It's just going to be a pet and I'm going to set up some smaller plastic containers for juvenile snakes but I have some large cages free for when it gets large. I have some other boids. Any tips or insights before I get one?

I just got booted after giving some wonderful advice, dang. OK, I'll try again. Since you've done your homework I'll not hit on the basics. These are such beautiful snakes I think its a shame to not set them up in a nice enclosure that shows them off (Michiel and Nevin posted some pics of their enclosures that they set up nicely). I definitly think bigger is better and it bothers me to read when someone asks whats the minimun enclosure they can be kept in, but thats just me. They are nocturnal so they are great snakes for when most of us are at home. They like to climb so a tall enclosure will be utilized. A great substrate is orchid bark covered with green moss (Home Depot). Feed them in a Rubbermaid container with newspaper lightly wetted on the bottom, over a heat pad set on low, with a towel covering it.
I highly recommend creating a horizontal and vertical temp. gradient using night lights once they are set up in their large enclosure (as juveniles and subadults they do well in rubbermaids with a heat pad but even then it pains me to keep them in these plastic boxes).
Good luck,
Paul

I'd like to get a juvenile BRB this spring or fall. I've read many care sheets, some stuff in books, and the threads on this site and a couple others. It's just going to be a pet and I'm going to set up some smaller plastic containers for juvenile snakes but I have some large cages free for when it gets large. I have some other boids. Any tips or insights before I get one?

I found a nice clear plastic box 36" x 16" x 14" how does that sound?
I usually feed my smaller snakes in 5 gallon pails because I have a lot of them around due to my aquarium, would those be ok for feeding?
I generally ignore the sexing stuff because I don't want to breed but can the small ones be easily sexed or do I have to wait until it's older to determine gender?
I know somebody very experienced in sexing all sorts of snakes. I ask because I'd like a female I guess.
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2 P. regius, 1 male 1 female, both normal, both CB, both '03, both approximately 22", both approximately 170g, both eat 1 FT rat pup every 5-7 days consistently.
Housed in 40 breeder and 10 regular all glass aquaria.
Humidity and temp measured with 3 digital hygrometers/ thermometers.
Heat provided by lamps with 60W bulbs ( on timers and rheostats) and ZooMed UTH.
Humidity 50-70%
Temps mid 90's-high 70's F depending upon time of day and end of tank.
5-7 hides in each tank
2 or more water dishes in each tank.
Feeding occurs in individual 5gallon plastic pails with lids.
No handling 24-48 hours after feeding.
Thank you for reading first THEN criticizing.

I think the clear plastic box will be perfect until they are about 2 yrs. old. Then I would move them into something 4 to 6 ft. long and at least 3 ft. high. They will survive and be healthy in much smaller containers. Many people keep them for their entire lives in plastic containers no more than a foot high. Check out some of my earlier post with pics of my adults. These are active, powerful snakes that like to climb. They use every single inch of my enclosure which is 6'Lx4'Hx3'D. I'm a huge proponent of bigger is most definitly better.
I think the pails would probably work, but I would be concerned about a finicky eater stressing out over not being able to get away from the food or freaking out about having the food placed nearly on top of them. But if its worked for you give it a try (if you put in the same amount of effort for your BRB as you do your Ball Pythons you'll be good to go).
You can't tell the sex by external indicators when they are young, they have to be probed or, when neonates, 'popped'. Either procedure should only be done by someone who knows what they are doing.
Hope this helps,
Paul

I found a nice clear plastic box 36" x 16" x 14" how does that sound?
I usually feed my smaller snakes in 5 gallon pails because I have a lot of them around due to my aquarium, would those be ok for feeding?
I generally ignore the sexing stuff because I don't want to breed but can the small ones be easily sexed or do I have to wait until it's older to determine gender?
I know somebody very experienced in sexing all sorts of snakes. I ask because I'd like a female I guess.