Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently purchased my first reptile, a Brazillian Rainbow Boa, I am keeping him in a 50 gal glass tank. I have plastic over aprox. 80% of the screen on the top to keep the heat around 80 and the humidity around 80% during the day, and around 75 at night. Will post pics of the viv and him soon. I bought him from a friend of a friend, so do not know his exact age, but he is around 4 1/2' long. I've had him for a bout a week so far. I fed him a dead adult mouse last Tuesday with no problems. He was kept in a breeder box all of his life with little handling. He was a lil jumpy for the first few days, but is more calm now, but, while handling him he keeps a constant aim for his tank. He was really active for about the first 3 days in his tank, but now stays under his hide box all the time. He just started to turn opaque, which I am guessing is shed. I would love for any input anyone might have as to any changes I might need to make. He is a beutiful snake and I want to keep him alive for a very long time. All my knowledge on him is from the internet, with little input from the prevoius owner. He also has more of a "Chocolate Chip" on his underside rather than the crecents I have seen on pic on the web, is this the norm? or is he a lil different? Thank you ahead of time for any input you might have.
-Dave-

Welcome to the forum.

Long Version:
The only things I would advise are the following:

*BRBs aren't generally the easiest reptiles to begin with. Do your research well, read up care guides, etc. Ask your questions here, as there are lots of great experts around this forum who though invisible now, have those miracle answers when you need them most!

*Secondly, the first pet reptile serves as the education tool for the handler. As a result there is usually an error or two in the care from handler inexperience. I had those errors myself. Anyhow - Just by the mere fact that you are here, shows you are at least some-what interested in the care you provide. There are so many things that are learned from doing, not from reading. It's been a year since I started herping and now there are many things I find myself saying "Why did I ever do that?" and "If I only knew then what I know now". Education is the key (CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH). Best of luck to you and I hope to see your new friend's pictures here sometime soon.

Short Version:
1)Educate yourself
2)Educate yourself
3)Educate yourself
4)Educate yourself (Repeat exponentially)

Take care (and remember these are just my opinions)

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-Iman
1.1 Sugar Gliders (Gizmo and Nema)
2.0 Ball Pythons (Spot and Speck)
0.1 Colombian BCI (Belle)
1.0 Colombian Rainbow (Rex)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow (Just arrived!!!)

Loving to Learn
Learning to Help
Helping to Love

Stimulate debates, stifle arguments.
Please be nice always.



Imans House of Herps

Welcome,

Dave, I hope you enjoy your BRB. Your temp and humidity sound good for now, but watch your humidity closely over the next several weeks. It is difficult for some to keep it high in a glass tank without almost complete coverage of the top.

The hiding is okay. Whether it be because of a coming shed or not. Since BRB's are nocturnal you may rarely see them during the day. I would guess that getting used to the new environment caused the activity for the first few days.

The only thing you may want to do is feed a larger meal. I think your snake at 4 1/2 feet could easily take a small rat if not a medium one. My yearling is eating weaner rats at about 3 1/2 feet, and my 6 month olds are taking smaller adult mice.

Feel free to ask about anything...Someone will surely be able to answer you.

Linda

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"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance- that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer

Thank you all for your help so far. I know understand the "blue" effect before shed. I will post some pics after the shed. And again thanks

-Dave-