Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have seen some beautiful BRB's for sale, up until recently I was unaware such a snake existed. I want to buy one, is there anything special I should know about them?

What is their personality like?

Any special care requirements?

What is the average size they grow to?

Does their color/pattern fade over time?

Do they make good "pet" snakes? I wont really be breeding, just a nice pet snake.

Thanks

Neal

>>I have seen some beautiful BRB's for sale, up until recently I was unaware such a snake existed. I want to buy one, is there anything special I should know about them?
>>
>>What is their personality like? They can be nippy if WC or when first born. They are easy to tame though and many breedewrs tame them before they sell them. A properly handled tame one when virtually never bite if you do not make a stupid feeding error.
>>
>>Any special care requirements? Yes, do lots of reading before getting one.
>>
>>What is the average size they grow to? Average adults are 5.5 to 6.5 feet long. Females usally bigger than males.
>>
>>Does their color/pattern fade over time? No.
>>
>>Do they make good "pet" snakes? I wont really be breeding, just a nice pet snake.
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Neal

Neal,
...More importantly than the simple questions you have asked is the bigger question about you and what kind of person you are. If you are a person who thinks you can ask a couple simple questions and get a BRB and keep it just like your Ball Python you will not have good luck. If you are the type of person who does lots of reading and research and pays VERY close attention to small details then a BRB is probably the right snake for you. There are loads of good posts here on this forum with the information you need about husbandry.
Jeff

My Rainbow Website

Hello Neal,

"What is their personality like?"

I now have quite a few BRB's ranging from 9 months to 5 or 6 (maybe more) yrs old and I find they don't have alot of personality at all. They do have different temperments and show different characteristics. They are nocturnal and are seldom seen during the daylight hours. As it's getting dark, they poke further and further out of their hides and move about their enclosures once it's dark. They fit my life style pretty well, so I don't mind that they are not out when I'm at work. If your wanting a snake to "be on display" and be seen readily a BRB probably isn't the right choice.

"Any special care requirements?"

I wouldn't say they have any special requirements....you just have to meet their needs, like any other species, they're just a bit more demanding. I personally think it's how you set them up initially. If you try to make it work with what you have, you'll be putting alot more effort into maintaining near correct conditions than if you do it through research and proper enclosures. You must keep a steady humidity level and not get them too hot to thrive.

"What is the average size they grow to?"

As adults, you wouldn't likely get over 6.5 feet long. Remember, these are a slendor bodied snake, so they don't seem very big compared to others at that length. I don't know what they should weigh. I would guess a plump adult wouldn't likely weigh more than 7 1/2 lbs?????

"Does their color/pattern fade over time?"

As neonates they are dull in color, but mature into adult coloration by about 2 yrs old. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong) They babies intensify their color with each shed until they reach their mature color which ranges from an organish-brown to a deep reddish brown and every shade inbetween, with bright orange and red not uncommon. i would speculate they remain that color for many, many years possibly throughout their lifespan.

"Do they make good "pet" snakes? I wont really be breeding, just a nice pet snake. "

I suppose that question is all in the meaning of "pet". If you want a boa to still still in your lap during a movie, I would have to say none of mine would. If you want a snake to move about and hang around your neck while you do household chores I'd say maybe. But if you wanted a pet to get it out and show it off for thirty minutes then put it back into it's house then I'd say yes, it's a good choice.

Hope this helps, just realize I'm fairly new to this, and other's will certainly have different opinions about them.

I chose them because they just fit into what I want and am willing to provide....plus they are BEAUTIFUL! Somehow, they are just perfect for me. I do sometimes wish they were a bit more calm (I don't mean they bite me)so I could just hang out more with them. Maybe I'll get a Hog....still can't squash that desire.

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

Brazilian Rainbow Boas are a little nippy when they are young but they tend to calm down as they mature. Their colour does change a little bit as they grow older, but young ones and adults are very beautiful. They grow to be about 6 feet long with a maximum of 7 feet. They make a good pet snake if you already have some experience with snakes.