Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have always been into lizards more than snakes. I have a red tegu, two crested geckos, 2 bearded dragons, and three leopard geckos. My roommate on the other hand is into snakes. But now I have decided to get a snake. I have researched many snakes on the internet and decided that the snake I am going to get is going to have to be a boa or python (which I figured from the beginning). My top choice right now is the rainbow boa. The reason I am interested in this particular snakes is its color and size. I do not want a huge snake like a red tail or a small snake like a corn. My question is: how are these snakes temperaments? I read that they grow to be about 6 foot, is this a fair estimate? And are there any other snakes that compare to BRB color and size that is not godly expensive? Thanx

Hi,

I'm no expert, but your 6 foot estimate seems about right. Like most boas and pythons, females usually grow larger than males. Remember, BRB's are very slender, so a 6 foot BRB is a totally different matter than say, a 6 foot blood python.

As far as temperament goes, a scan of previous forum posts would probably tell you that most BRB's grow up to have docile temperaments. Some books I have read even go so far as to recommend them as a good "pet" snake. Most hatchlings go through a nippy phase, but are easily tamed. Personally, my BRB hasn't offered to strike me and is very sweet, but it is obvious in her body language that she is not quite as easygoing as, for instance, a ball python. She is much more easily startled, and quick to assume the defensive "S". That's not to say that she's a handful, because she really is very docile, especially for a hatchling. She just requires more careful movements and gentle hands than some of the easier beginner snakes.

Another snake with similar size and beautiful adult coloration is the jungle carpet python. It is my understanding that carpets are much more prone to be nippy as babies than BRB's, but they also calm down with age. A male would be a better choice if the 6 foot range is what you're after, as female jungle carpets readily reach 7 feet or more.

Interestingly, jungles and BRB's are the two snakes I eventually narrowed my list down to, and I am also a first-time snake keeper. I ultimately chose the BRB over the jungle because I found them to be easier to handle and manage, and also of course because of their gorgeous iridescence. I don't regret my choice at all!
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My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.1 WC Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides blue Peru)
3.3 Pygmy corydoras (C. pygmaeus)
2.0 Endlers' Livebearers (P. sp. Endlers)

your right. they are absolutley beautiful snakes. they are also need alot more attention than a lot of other boas. their requirements are demanding. i dont recommend this snake as a first, ufortunatley i learned the hard way by loosing my first one do to respitory infections ( though i didnt get from a reputable breeder ). since then i;ve had no problems but u dont wana earn the hard way which like i did.

if you are willing to pay close attention to the snake and make sure you have constant humidty and temps and everything else then i say go for it. but i do recommend you thinking very hard if your able to do this.

if you second question yourself, i say look into dumeril boas. they are also beautiful and a nice size boa. avg size is 5ft ( ofcourse there are acceptions). i have recently bought a dumeril and i cant ask for a better snake.

this is just my opinion and i know your decision is your own. whatever your decision is good luck and keep us posted.

steve

I can't stress enough the importantance of maintaining the humidity levels for this snake. Especially the young ones.

Temperature levels are less of an issue. Some recommend into the 80's while mine do fine with a range of 72-78.