Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I'm new to BRB's, but always wanted one. I'm considering getting one soon, but would like some good advice first on what size cage would be most appropriate for an adult BRB. I have an enclosure that measures 3ft long, by 1.5ft deep, by 2.5ft high. Would this be large enough?

Thanks very much,
- Mark

P.S.
Could you also share your experience on whether you've found them to generally have good dispositions or not. Thanks again.
.

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Welcome to BRB's!!

That enclosure would be large enough for an adult BRB. Two quick questions/thoughts. First - heat, they like it around 75-85 degrees, with your enclosure you should be able to have a good range of temps. Second - Humidity, they like and NEED it damp. Number one loss of humidity is ventilation. They don't need a lot of "fresh" air so small vents are a must.

I have lots of adults, yearlings and babies. Babies are usually nippy but settle down and get used to handling after a month or two. My adults and yearlings are all completely handleable. I do have one adult that gets irritated and can bite if you're not careful and watching her. I alwys reply to the question "does it bite" with "does it have a mouth". I rarely get bit (except for the hatchlings where I get bit regularly until they settle down) because I pay attention to the snake. What is/was it doing, how is it responding to you, is it getting irritated or just cruising around.
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Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife
0.2 kids
4.12.136 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (OK, I'm only keeping a few of the 136, just tickled pink with my production this year)
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)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the info. Its beginning to look like we (my gf and I) are going to get a BRB. I'm in the process of having new cages built, one of which will be that arboreal cage.

I have a couple more questions, if you don't mind me asking...

- Is is appropriate to house a BRB in an arboreal cage? That is, are they arboreal or semi-arboreal? If they are only semi-arboreal, well, are they arboreal enough to warrant taller enclosures vs. cages that would provide more floorspace?

- And, to the point, could you recommend a reputable source where we could get a young BRB (the younger the better). I'm in Massachusetts, so it would be even better if there were someone within driving distance of Boston, MA (to avoid having to ship).

Thanks again,
- Mark
.

>>Welcome to BRB's!!
>>
>>That enclosure would be large enough for an adult BRB. Two quick questions/thoughts. First - heat, they like it around 75-85 degrees, with your enclosure you should be able to have a good range of temps. Second - Humidity, they like and NEED it damp. Number one loss of humidity is ventilation. They don't need a lot of "fresh" air so small vents are a must.
>>
>>
>>I have lots of adults, yearlings and babies. Babies are usually nippy but settle down and get used to handling after a month or two. My adults and yearlings are all completely handleable. I do have one adult that gets irritated and can bite if you're not careful and watching her. I alwys reply to the question "does it bite" with "does it have a mouth". I rarely get bit (except for the hatchlings where I get bit regularly until they settle down) because I pay attention to the snake. What is/was it doing, how is it responding to you, is it getting irritated or just cruising around.
>>-----
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"
>>
>>
>>0.1 Wife
>>0.2 kids
>>4.12.136 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (OK, I'm only keeping a few of the 136, just tickled pink with my production this year)
>>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)
>>1.0 BCI albino het stripe
>>1.0 BCI salmon hypo
>>0.1 BCI ghost
>>
>>lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I would say BRB's (at least mine are) more terrestrial than arboreal. Might be that they no longer have things to climb on! Originally I had all kinds of sandblasted grapevine in the enclosure and took it out due to not seeing them climb and because it grew mold. Some folks have climbing structures and say they seem to enjoy using them. One of my 15 BRB's puts on a lunge and strike show although she hasn't actually nailed me yet. I purchased her as an adult (pic in above post) and she is the only one that acts like that. Babies are nippy, but they quickly become accustomed to handling when they realize it doesn't cause you to leave them be.

They can be semi arboreal, but will go to ground to hide. They hide a lot. The only time they would likely climb is at night when they were hungry. I would not recomend an arboreal cage.

As to getting one as young as you can, they need to be at least two to three weeks old, more likely a month. Should have shed at least once and eaten at least twice. (IMO) I don't know breeders in your area, I'm in CA. I do have 12 day old babies that'll be ready in a week or so. Jeff Clark is closer but still would entail shipping.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife
0.2 kids
4.12.136 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (OK, I'm only keeping a few of the 136, just tickled pink with my production this year)
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)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats