Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I have just got my first BRB and only know the very basics.
I just have a few questions to ask.
1) How long after feeding should you wait before handling your BRB?
2) I recently fed my BRB 1 mouse pinky, should I rush out and pick up another or should that be fine for the week?
3)When handling your BRB should you let him bite you first or grab him before he bites you? (which is very difficult I might add)
4) What is the proper way to pick up your BRB?
5)If you are keeping your BRB in a tank (a 10 gallon fish tank for instance) what is the best way to keep the tank at the proper temperature and humidity?

Thanks in advance

Congrats on your new BRB, see some of my answers/oppinions below....

>>Hi I have just got my first BRB and only know the very basics.
>>I just have a few questions to ask.
>>1) How long after feeding should you wait before handling your BRB?

I would wait a day or two and for feeding no sooner than once per week, by the time it's a yearling should be once every two weeks.

>>2) I recently fed my BRB 1 mouse pinky, should I rush out and pick up another or should that be fine for the week?

Pinkies are like popcorn for a baby BRB, I start mine on Hoppers. If I don't have hoppers, then 2 or three pinkies.

>>3)When handling your BRB should you let him bite you first or grab him before he bites you? (which is very difficult I might add)

Babies are nippy, aproach with hand open fingers together and palm towards snake. If it bites, try not to jump, just let it like it's nothing and it'll learn biting does no good.

>>4) What is the proper way to pick up your BRB?
Scoop it up in your palm and be prepared for the mad dash of to wherever to get away. Always give it support.

>>5)If you are keeping your BRB in a tank (a 10 gallon fish tank for instance) what is the best way to keep the tank at the proper temperature and humidity?

limit the ventilation, plastic or foil over most of the top and a towel to help keep the heat in. Use under tank heater on one end only. provide hides at both warm and cool ends.

>>
>>Thanks in advance
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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife
0.2 kids
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.1 Ball python
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

1) I would wait 48 hours

2) I would wait a week and try a hopper

3) Let it strike and bite all it wants, but pick it up none the less. Once it realizes you won't go away or become food the handling will get easier each time.

4) As a baby I don't think it matters so much how you pick it up. I scoop mine with a finger or 2 somewhere around the mid body. Just support the whole thing....not just the head or tail. Adults Ilet them smell me for 2 or 3 seconds then slowly slide a palm up hand in the lower 2/3 of body and slide it out until I slip my other hand about 1/3 of the way from it's face. If the animal (usually is) is in a hide I remove the hide and give it a few seconds to orientate then approach.

5) I would use an undertank heater and greatly limit ventilation. I think it is important to use a rheostat or thermostat on ANY uth source.

Check down about 4 posts to the caresheet one and check out the JClarks snakes forum supporter webpage. You will have difficulty keeping the humidity high in an aquarium especially if you use lighting (not needed) or bulbs or a ceramic heat emitter to heat the enclosure. If you are having concerns or trouble getting your enclosure up and running just ask on this forum. Someone will be able to provide you with a suitable solution.

Linda
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