| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| joshblee23 |
Posted - 17/05/2010 : 22:10:07
Hey, im new to snakes and have wanted one for aaaages, have been doing lots of research into different snakes. Basically i've pinpointed the rainbow boa (more specifically the brazillian) as my favourite, as i want one that likes being handled and just the fact it is a nice size and very good looking. I have a fish tank i can use for a starter tank and once it grows bigger, i will upgrade. i can get all the required accessories for the snake from a local pet shop (heat mat etc.) but just generally want to know if the rainbow boa is a good choice for a first snake?
thanks  |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 23/05/2011 : 21:11:43
^^ Word! ^^ |
| CDN_Blood |
Posted - 20/05/2011 : 11:40:39
I don't understand why someone would say they're not for beginners, either. Burmese, Retics, Bloods - now those are not beginner snakes, but a Rainbow Boa is hardy, a decent mid-way point between small and large, easy to maintain, usually good eaters and really quite gentle once adapted to it's surroundings and keeper.
While you may take a love tap from time to time until the snake is settled-in and comfortable with you, they're not all nippy. While one could say that getting tagged is part of the territory with keeping snakes, proper handling and understanding your snakes actual needs usually solves that issue, just remember that anything with a mouth can bite.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Rainbow Boa as a first snake, if boids are what they're after. |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 21:19:38
100% agree. I decided not to participate in another forum because the moderator was biased against the species. |
| flaboye |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 20:42:24
quote:
Originally posted by Snakesitter
I wonder if Josh still checks this thread? Regardless, wonderful and accurate advice above, and I'm delighted to see people sticking up for Brazilians as an acceptable first choice!
I think so too! Even googling them you'll get things saying they're not for beginners. Balls I say! :) |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 20:11:51
I wonder if Josh still checks this thread? Regardless, wonderful and accurate advice above, and I'm delighted to see people sticking up for Brazilians as an acceptable first choice! |
| flaboye |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 15:29:52
Bradley:
Congrats on your BRB. Yea, it sounds like you got the "bug". :) |
| Invalid User |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 09:47:20
I got my brb a few weeks after my first corns and king snake.
I have to say she is very easy to care for. Of course I did my research first but found that it did seem to suggest they were harder to care for than they are. I have had no problems maintaining the correct humidity, with just a water bowl on her warm side and a large moist hide on the warm side too. She eats well, sheds perfectly everytime and is very easy to handle and has never nipped me and is still fine to handle all through her shedding cycle.
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| Tui |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 08:46:40
I think that when people do research and wants a spesific snake, they shouldnt have to settle for an easier one if they dont want. I hate the idea of a "training snake".
I myself got GTP with no experience at all and everything has been going fine.
I think if you really want BRB, you should get one :) Although it might be "harder" than possible other ones, but you really like it and will do the necessary reading, right? :) |
| ptmbradley |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 04:08:03
About 6 weeks ago I didn't have any snakes. But after getting my first one I got bitten by the bug and bought another one the following week. Then another one a week after that! All corns. Then I started looking at other snakes and after reading a LOT of stuff on here, I got myself a BRB a couple of weeks ago.
I gotta be honest, I don't think BRB's are any more trouble than a corn snake. As long as you do the proper research - and you really do need to - they seem just as easy. That's my own personal experience anyway. My BRB has so far shown no interest whatsoever in snapping at me, even though he's currently in shed and might be expected to be Mr grumpy pants. But he's a yearling more than an ikkle babba so maybe he's just got over the nippy stage.
My temps and humidity levels stabilised in next to no time and have so far remained static and problem-free. My warm end hovers in the 28's, my cool end is ambient which British summer generally means between 20-23 and my humidity normally sits at 88-90%. I haven't seen it fall below 85% and all I do is give the RUB a few sprays with the demister bottle a couple of times a week when the substrate starts to dry. I spray the moss too to keep that nice and damp for the big man.  But anyway enough about my setup!
One of the few real issues with a BRB is the possibility of mould in the tank/viv/tub due to the level of humidity, so you do need to keep on top with your cleaning regime.
Like I said, it's just my own personal experience and maybe I have just been lucky, but I think as long as you're sensible about it, do the proper research, and preferably find a more docile snake, I think it's perfectly feasible to have a BRB as your first snake. |
| flaboye |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 02:41:00
Congrats on considering a BRB. I get to work with about 250 breeding pair and over 600 babies, from newborns to yearlings. Young BRB's are extremely nippy, moreso than other species are. Some have suggested ball (royal) pythons, corns and kings as they are less so. I can attest to the docile nature of royal's (balls) as we have over 3,000 of them also. The balls also have many morphs as other species do if that is attractive to you.
If you have your heart set on a BRB, good for you! Be prepared to deal with bites. Even a newborn can draw blood. If you can get past this, then don't be put off by "needs". BRB's are very hardy and forgiving. They are not by any means a delicate snake. There's lots of good reading on temp ranges and humidity ranges. In the wild they deal with a much larger temperature variant then the care sheets say is safe for them.
With that said, as long as you are prepared for what may be a nippy few months at first, by all means get a BRB. They are active at night and can be tamed up nicely. I have a female that's about 14 months or so and she allows me to pick her up at anytime for any reason with no strikes. I picked her out of the many hundreds for that reason, but I had the opportunity to pick from so many. In all likelihood yours will be nippy but you can work with him/her on that. It will take consistent handling.
Lots of good info on accessories and the like.
Hope you have a great experience with your BRB should you choose to get one. You will not be disappointed. By the way, the bites aren't the end of the world. The issue is as another person pointed out, is our natural tendency to pull back. This can hurt the snake as they will lose teeth sometimes.
They're not mean, they just have this tendency when young.
Joe |
| JKCarter |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 01:53:55
Josh,
As has been said before, BRB's are a bit more "needy" as far as their requirements go than some other snakes listed above. If you really have your heart set on a BRB though don't let this put you off. Research, research and then...research some more. Browse through the forum here and read through the health forum. Learn as many tips and tricks from others experiences. BRB's are a very hardy snake so long as their requirements are met. Very rarely will a BRB refuse food such as with a Royal Python.
The reptifogger you mentioned will help, but be cautioned that I understand a lot of people have issues with them simply quitting after a month or so. I opted to instead buy a room humidifier and set it to a timer. Same effect as the reptifogger, but definitely more sturdy. Another option would be to simply use the room humidifier in the room to boost the ambient humidity and then spray the enclosure once or twice daily. Too easy.
BRB's can make a wonderful pet as anyone here will tell you. Basically it all comes down to how willing you are to do your research prior to and how dedicated you are to their maintenance thereafter.
All this being said, I bought 2 BRB's as my first snake(s) and they are doing wonderfully. |
| snowstripe420 |
Posted - 17/05/2011 : 22:36:12
Corn snake best choice. Bites are rare, easy to take care of, and a very large morph selection. |
| Kazerella |
Posted - 18/05/2010 : 14:28:39
I agree, they aren't really a beginner's snake, although research is every keeper's friend. It is possible to be successful with BRBs without prior experience, but you need to put more effort into research if that is what you plan to do. Getting a corn or a king would be a easier step into snake keeping, but in the end it's down to you |
| daveinflames |
Posted - 18/05/2010 : 12:18:42
Like Welly said a rainbow boa could be a difficult first snake because of its very specific needs ie: constant humidity and they are very nippy (most are) when young which in my experience puts alot of new keepers off.
There is nothing stopping you obviously getting a rainbow boa but you will need to accept that bites are very common when young and pulling away in shock if the snake grabs hold (rather than a strike) will severly damage the snake
as welly said snakes like, king snakes, corn snakes, royal pythons (if you understand its feeding issues) are a better bet and alot easier to work with :D |
| Welly |
Posted - 17/05/2010 : 23:35:50
I personally have a python and a king snake. Both young. It will be my first boa. Foggers would make the air humid again. Have a look at the other forum's and check out the other care sheets. The reason i suggested a king in the earlier post is because they don't need so many specifics like strict humidity. If you have the passion for it then go for it |
