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Question about my Brazillian Rainbow...

BlueEyedDevil May 06, 2005 08:26 PM

I have had her for a while now (few months) although she is probably a couple years old. I've noticed that recently she has had a few scales on her belly peeling. I think she might be too dry? I am going to spray her down more often & see if that helps. But I wonder if it is possible she may be catching herself on something or rubbing somewhere that might do that. Anyone have any suggestions? I want to be sure she is a very happy & healthy girl (she is sooo beautiful & I want to keep her that way!) Thanks for the help!

Replies (4)

Jeff Clark May 06, 2005 10:09 PM

BlueEyedDevil,
....Brazilian Rainbow Boas require very high humidity. Little ones do great with near 100% humidity. Adults do well with humidity above 75%. If they are kept too dry they will dehydrate. Minor dehydration will cause them to go off feed and also have difficulty shedding their skins. If you have the temperature and humidity right they will nearly always shed in one complete piece. Peeling scales on the belly may be skin that got stuck and dried on during the last shed. It may also be caused by an infection, usually fungal or by a burn. Brazilian Rainbow Boas require cage temperature much lower than Boa Constrictors. If you are using an uncontrolled heater it may be too hot and may have burned the snake. Rather than put a lot of effort into constantly spraying the snake or cage try limiting the ventilation so that moisture that is in the cage stays in. Got any PICs? There is a Rainbow Boa forum here on kingsnake.com. Follow the link to it on the boa forum introduction page.
Jeff
My Rainbow Boa Webpage at corallus.com

srsnakes May 06, 2005 11:02 PM

Great Advice there from Jeff, I would guess that the humidity would be your main problem there. but i think cranking it up will really help your BRB out.... you should get some pics up, not many people out there post there BRB but i know they are out there.....

Sincerley,
Rose Hipskind
-----

www.srsnakes.com

Jeff Clark May 07, 2005 02:10 PM

>>Great Advice there from Jeff, I would guess that the humidity would be your main problem there. but i think cranking it up will really help your BRB out.... you should get some pics up, not many people out there post there BRB but i know they are out there.....
>>
>>Sincerley,
>>Rose Hipskind
>>-----
>>
>>www.srsnakes.com

BlueEyedDevil May 07, 2005 12:45 PM

Thanks for the advice! I never thought that it might be too warm for her... she has been hanging around her cool side a lot more lately. I have a heat pad & a lamp on top of the cage... might be too much? I am going to try keeping the lamp off more often. Maybe just at night? or day as well? We'll see. I think the humidity really is the major problem. She is a very friendly snake, doesn't look like anything is wrong with her (doesn't look sick) I am obsessive about checking her scales to be sure she looks healthy. And there is definitely no problems with her eating... usually about 2 rats every 2 weeks.
Anyways... I have never posted pics on here so will have to learn how. But I will so you can see her... she's soooo beautiful

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