| Author |
 Topic  |
|
sullysteve
Hatchling
United Kingdom
107 Posts |
 Posted - 24/09/2010 : 16:00:16
|
Hey peeps,
I have been hanging out in TCS forum for the last 6 months and have now decided its time to own a BRB.
I currently have 2 corn snakes Rusty and Fred and now own a BRB.
I know that BRB's require a lot more attention to detail and i would welcome any first time owner tips.
I have her in a small faurnarium at the mo, she is about 4 months old and about 18inch long. in her faun i got water and moist Wood chippings. i have the Warm side currently at 34-35 degrees c. Humiditiy is at 80%. I have fixed some pics here so you can see!
Also, can someone advise me on morph?
I look forward to your comments!
 |
|
|
gmac
Grumpy Scots Admin
United Kingdom
710 Posts |
Posted - 26/09/2010 : 01:36:09
|
| hey and welcome, nice BRB |
GMac
  |
 |
|
|
IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 26/09/2010 : 06:20:42
|
Welcome to the forum!  That's a real beauty you have there. Judging from the pictures, I would say that you have a paler normal morph there, a gorgeous one. That's just my two cents, though.  I am a little concerned about your temperatures, though. If I'm not mistaken, 34-35 would be just a little too high (isn't that about 90 some odd degrees Farenheit? Sorry, I'm from the states and we don't use Celsius that much.) BRBs prefer a little bit of a cooler setting. I'd say 75-83 degrees Farenheit...because anything over 85 could potentially be fatal. Hope this helps and best of luck with your gorgeous new friend. |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
|
|
|
sullysteve
Hatchling
United Kingdom
107 Posts |
Posted - 27/09/2010 : 10:34:25
|
Hmm, Thanks guys.
Just on the subject of temps.... i find a lot of diffrences when talking about this. I thought 85 - 90f was the prefered, however, i will change it straight away. Are you saying it should be simular to that of a corn setup?
Also, can you give me advice on biting? ive been tagged over 20 times. i know handling is most important, but i cant keep getting tagged so often!!
tips on humidity would be great too. i already know about how important it is, but i want to find my feet in that area. i currently have a wet paper towel in the warm side and the humidity (ambient) is clocking at 60-70% on the cheap plastic exo terr hygrometer. i have just ordered a digital one tho.
cheers |
|
|
|
IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 27/09/2010 : 21:36:23
|
One thing I have learned through a lot of research is that temps that are too high could possibly kill your BRB. They do prefer a cooler setting, so like I mentioned...sticking with about 83F on the hot side would be ideal. If you find your BRB staying on the cool side, this could be a sign that she is far too hot and is suffering.
Humidity for a younger BRB (neonate to juvenile size) needs to be in the higher range. I keep Marius' at about 83% and he just loves it. I, too, keep him in a plastic tub/rub. I drilled several small holes for fresh air, but not too many, as you would only be defeating your purpose. If you bought one of those tubs already drilled, you could cover a few of them over with a piece of paper and tape...or even cling wrap or something similar. The key is to have a little airflow, but not enough that it is going to dry out your moisture.
I also keep a water dish on his cool side and one canted over the under tank heater. This promotes evaporation, which also helps keep your humidity levels up. Finally, I would suggest investing in some Spaghnum Moss. Keep the moss damp, but not wet and you'll find it also helps keep your humidity up.
As far as the biting goes, really nothing is going to help except for constant, gentle handling. You could try the "shirt" method. Wear a shirt around all day long so that it has your scent in it. Then stick this in the enclosure near where your snake hides the most. This will get them used to your scent and may help alleviate the fear and need to strike. You should know, though, that BRB neonates are very famous for being nippy (I got lucky, as Marius is a sweetheart and has never tried to bite. *knocks on wood*). They can be tamed readily, though, it just takes perseverance and a ton of patience. Best of luck with your little lady!
*Edit*
I forgot to mention that it would probably help if you allowed her some time to get used to her new enclosure. She could be stressed out in her new place and just needs time to adjust. A week or two of no handling and just checking on her temps/humidity might actually help her to get used to her new situation and give her time to be ready for handling. |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
Edited by - IncurableFlirt on 27/09/2010 21:39:47 |
|
|
|
Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 27/09/2010 : 21:41:45
|
Welcome to the forum!
Incurable is correct, both on morph (normal type) and temperatures. The second topic worries me also. By my math, 34-35 degrees Celsius is about 93-95 degrees Fahrenheit -- which can kill a Brazilian. These snakes require a *much* cooler setting than most other species, low 70s at the cool end to low 80s on the high end. Try setting your temps to 22C on the low end and 28C on the high end. As for those sources quoting 85-90D...yes, there are several that do, much to the detriment of baby Brazilians everywhere. They are wrong, and more than a few snakes have been lost because of it. :-(
Biting is part of babyhood for a Brazilian. From their standpoint, everything that comes close is either potential prey (and therefore must be attacked) or predator (and therefore must be attacked). They will calm down with both age and positive handling experience, and learn to separate you/your hand from other creatures. As for tips, be gentle but firm, and *never* put your snake down just after it bites you, as this only teaches it that biting means escape. That said, also *listen* to your snake. You will find certain events trigger a biting response far more often than others. For example, I find setting a snake down to "play" and then picking it up again bothers them, as they do not want to dragged away from their freedom. Result: frequent biting. Other snakes are head or tail shy, and do not like to be touched in these places. With time and attention, you will learn what she is comfortable with, and the biting will decrease and hopefully even stop.
Best of luck, |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
|
|
|
sullysteve
Hatchling
United Kingdom
107 Posts |
Posted - 27/09/2010 : 22:40:38
|
WOW
Can i just say a big thank you to you both. I will do exactly as you recommend.
I will keep you guys posted of my success!
I'm sure i will be asking a hell lot more questions!
Sully |
|
|
|
IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 27/09/2010 : 23:25:22
|
| Definitely ask away! If we don't know the answer, we can all look up info and share what we find out. Enjoy your new little friend! |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
|
|
|
Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 28/09/2010 : 00:23:09
|
| Word. ;-) |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
|
|
|
hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2010 : 19:43:09
|
WOWOWOWOW Hang on i have been given wrong info as well for temps you said 34 is to high well on this forum it says Brazilian Rainbow Boas are cold blooded and get heat from their surroundings. In the wild snakes bask in the sun to keep warm or move to a shady spot if they are too hot, this is called thermo-regulation. The ideal temperature for you snake's vivarium is a temperature gradient of 29-34°C (85-93°F). here is the link to it , it says in black and white right there lol http://www.therainbowboa.co.uk/Brazilian_rainbow_boa_caresheet.htm
 Shal i turn my temps down to 28*C ? |
|
|
|
Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2010 : 19:58:30
|
quote:
Originally posted by hiper2009
The ideal temperature for you snake's vivarium is a temperature gradient of 29-34°C (85-93°F)
I've read it. While the site's care sheet is excellent overall, that one detail is dead wrong (maybe a leftover typo or such?). Anyway, keeping a Brazilian at those temps is an almost sure-fire way to kill it. I've dealt with most of the big guns in the US Brazilian market, and don't know a single one that uses that high of a temp range. |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
|
|
|
hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2010 : 20:19:37
|
quote:
Originally posted by Snakesitter
quote:
Originally posted by hiper2009
The ideal temperature for you snake's vivarium is a temperature gradient of 29-34°C (85-93°F)
I've read it. While the site's care sheet is excellent overall, that one detail is dead wrong (maybe a leftover typo or such?). Anyway, keeping a Brazilian at those temps is an almost sure-fire way to kill it. I've dealt with most of the big guns in the US Brazilian market, and don't know a single one that uses that high of a temp range.
Do you think that this high temp was said due to us being in the UK and its always cold , as you said your from US and your weather is alot better then over here..  |
|
|
|
Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2010 : 22:47:48
|
I'm not sure the 105-109 degree weather from last week qualifies as "better" lol. ;-)
It's possible, but would be highly unusual. Temp ranges are usually expressed as end values/goals in themselves, not heater settings in pursuit of a different end temp. |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
|
|
|
hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2010 : 12:23:36
|
quote:
Originally posted by Snakesitter
I'm not sure the 105-109 degree weather from last week qualifies as "better" lol. ;-)
It's possible, but would be highly unusual. Temp ranges are usually expressed as end values/goals in themselves, not heater settings in pursuit of a different end temp.
Oh right thanks for clearing that up with me.. |
|
|
|
Lewy
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
77 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2010 : 15:54:07
|
Thanks people!
Temps have been amended on the care sheets - Original temps were inaccurate and came about from a typo when writing a care sheet in the same template as our other websites, in particular the royal python - Temps were supposed to have been amended and somehow got missed.
Sorry people! I have added a little about heat mats and larger snakes to the care sheets as well.
Cheers,
Lewy |
Lewy
THE RAINBOW BOA.co.uk Team
|
|
|
|
IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2010 : 18:36:50
|
| That's awesome news. Thank you so much, Lewy! |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Hi all!!
