Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am taking in a Rainbow Boa next week. I have 1.1 baby Cornsnakes, and 1.0 Pueblan Milksnake, so i'm not completely new to "snakes" but I am new to large snakes.

I am getting a baby 0.1 orange phase, and since Rainbow Boas are a snake that I have been very interested in, i'm very excited to be getting such a lovely creature for free.

I know that Rainbow Boas need a lot of humidity, and I have already started puting a large Rubbermade home together for her. (i figure a rubbermade would be good because it will keep the most humidity in - don't worry, i have holes in it for breathing of course)

Is there anything else that I should know? Any advice would be gladdly appreciated!

Thanks!

hethe
zombielove

The main thing is just to keep that humidity up. Since there is high humidity that means mold and stuff like that can form easily so just keep it clean. The tupperware containers are easy to clean so your good there. Make sure there is something to soak in too. I guess if you have any specific questions you can always ask.

Yes, I have a large watering bowl for her. Large enough to fit about 4 to 5 full grown pueblan snakes in, so that will be fine for now, of course as she grows, I will make sure that everything else will grow with her. I read about the mold problem, about how many times a week do you suggest cleaning the tub? And what is the best substrate? I've heard pros and cons about almost every type of substrate, so i'm having a hard time deciding.

Thanks.

hethe
zombielove

A once a week cleaning should be fine. I use wet moss for the substrate cause it helps keep up the humidity and provides something for them to hide in along with there plastic hidding huts. Some people use papertowels wetted down to help keep the humidity up or newspaper. Some things are just easier to keep clean. If you have anymore questions, just ask...

Yes, I believe I am leaning toward moss. It may not be the easiest to clean, but I think if I were here, I would definatley want moss over paper. If you don't mind me asking, I've been looking around at the previous posts, and I am curious as to what it means when a BRB is "spotless" or "without flecks" ??? because the pictures I am seeing look like they have spots to me. *shrugs*

Also, when I get my BRB I will be chosing from 2 snakes. What should I be looking for? For example, color, shape ... I really don't know. I want to pick the better snake from the two. (I think you understand)

Thank you so much again!

I meant to say "if I were her" not "if I were here"

As for what to look for, I usually go by color, size, and temperament. You definitely want a snake that's feeding readily (frozen thawed if possible). If the two snakes are from the same parents, then I'd probably go for the larger animal or the one with the pattern/coloration you like best.
Lora

I used to use moss/reptibark, but the dark and damp environment bred mites and it was so hard to get rid of them. I've now switched to repticarpet, and though not as nice, it is so easy to maintain. The tank gets a thorough cleaning weekly and the carpet is just put in the washer and comes out nice and clean.

I have a really large water bowl, 2 hides (warm and cool sides) and a humid hide (moss in the hide). There is also lots and lots of foliage. One thing about these guys is they like to be hidden. You may seem them explore some nights, but for the most part you won't see them at all if everything is done correctly, and that's the way they like it.

I mist once daily to keep the carpet nice and damp and the setup has been working great for the last two months.

These guys aren't that tough to keep so have fun that freebie, you'll be glad you got it and will never look back!

Cheers...
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-Iman
1.1 Sugar Gliders (Gizmo and Nema)
1.0 Ball Pythons (Spot)
0.1 Guyanan BCC (Ruby)
1.1 Brazilian Rainbows

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