Baby Rosy Boa Terrarium, a few questions

[Céline]

I live in Germany and there isn't much info about Rosy Boas out there. I was able to learn lots about the Rosy Boa on English language websites, but I found the information about the ideal terrarium confusing. Every source seems to say something else.

-Terrarium size and material
I have read about anything, from glass over wooden terrariums and even plastic containers for a start. We will be getting a baby if we do decide to get it now (not born yet, the mother is still pregnant), and the breeder said it is possible to start out with a plastic container until it will grow a bit and do well in a larger terrarium. I can see how it would save money to wait buying a terrarium until it has grown a bit, but is this really good?
How would heating and light work with a plastic container? How can the climate even be regulated in a plastic container?

A lot of places here offer wooden terrariums now, which are supposedly very good for keeping a dry climate.

-substrate, water, plants, branches
I haven't read anything clear about what bedding is best. Also there seems to be an argument about sand vs. no sand...
Same with water, I read here that a small amount of water is best, but some sources will say to not provide water at all times because it can lead to respiratory problems as it will make it very hard to regulate the humidity.
As far as plants go, I have read no plants, only plants that don't need much water and about growing your own plants. Which is true?
And are branches a good idea, if so what type?

-Light/ Heat
I read a lamp isn't really necessary, and that only a heating pad, tape or similar is used on one side of the terrarrium? I'm not clear on how this works exactly, how it is installed, regulated, or even what it looks like. I will also have to see what is available in Germany.

-Hibernation in winter
I am also not sure what todo about the hibernation phase in winter regarding the terrarium. I assume the snake would not want to be moved into a bigger terrarium once it is already accustomed to the cooler, winter temperatures...

This Video shows one of these plastic containers I was recommeneded btw.:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MtgcinmejY

I hope someone can end the confusion! :)

[PsychoSnake]

I'm new to rosies as well and there is a lot of conflicting information out there. Even their taxonomy is a big mess! Rosy boas aren't terribly popular outside the US west coast so it's nice to hear they're getting some attention in Germany. :) I think the ideal setup is what is good for the snake and keeper, and fortunately rosies aren't picky.

Rosies are secretive crevice dwellers and like confined spaces, but I like to give my rosies the option to stretch out when night falls and it's time to cruise. So I keep my ~3 year old costal female in a US 20 gallon glass terrarium. My younger and much smaller rosy is kept in a 10 gallon. Rosies shouldn't need anything bigger than US 20 gal. long. Since males are smaller they could be put in a smaller terrarium.

I use a glass terrarium because it works for my situation and it was the easiest route. It was readily available in retail stores here and required hardly any setup. Just make sure the lid is secure.

I do have a plastic "sweater box" too, but I found the traditional glass terrarium easier to keep the humidity low. This of course depends on my environmental conditions. For snakes that require higher humidity a plastic tub or PVC terrarium is often much better than a glass terrarium. The other thing to keep in mind is if you do use a plastic tub that the lid needs to be secured. I have several binder clips on mine but others have come up with other creative ways to keep their snakes from busting loose. (They are strong!) In a rack system often there isn't a lid as the top of the tub runs flush to the shelving of the rack. Using a plastic tub is a cheap option but requires more DIY. I haven't had any experience using a wooden terrarium.

Will a rosy do well in a plastic tub? Yup, just as long as the lid is secure, the temperature gradient and humidity are in good order, and the snake has hides to feel secure in. Snakes don't need anything fancy. They don't care.

How you maintain the climate of your terrarium is based on what the climate of the room you keep your snake is. For example, I'm lazy and cheap. My house has poor insulation and running the central heat to 75-80 F during cold days is expensive for me. So it's set at 70. This is a bit chilly for my rosies and may cause them to stop eating, which I obviously don't want. So in addition to having an under tank heater ("belly heat") to create a hotspot I use a ceramic heat emitter. This hangs above the terrarium and raises the ambient air temperature of the terrarium. Some people raise the temperature of the whole room to achieve the correct ambient temperature, but the ceramic heat emitter saves me several $ overall. Right now since the ambient temperature in my house has been consistently ~80 F I have turned off the ceramic heat emitter.

You will need a thermostat or dimmer (rheostat) to control your heating device(s). Thermostats are more expensive but more reliable. Under tank heaters typically do not have a controlling device to set the temperature and without one they can easily get to 130 F! That is too hot for any snake. I use a rheostat specially sold for reptiles. Again, I'm cheap and I only have two snakes. For the ceramic heat emitter I use a table top light dimmer. With rheostats you have to periodically check the temperature and set the dial accordingly. I highly recommend getting a temperature gun.

The thing to keep in mind if you do decide to go with plastic is FIRE SAFETY. UTHs get hot and shouldn't be in direct contact with plastic. Flexwatt (heat tape) is a better option here. You will have to cut and wire the Flexwatt yourself. Oh and ceramic heat emitters get fiendishly hot as well. Do not touch it when it's on! Make sure you have the correct fixture for a CHE.

Lighting is not necessary. Rosy boas are nocturnal. :)

Any wood mulch/shavings that are safe for other snakes are safe for rosies. Depends on what's available to you. Sand is controversial. I've read that rosies can do just fine with sand as their sand boa cousins can, but I still hear that it's not preferred. Rosies in the wild don't often inhabit sand anyhow. The closest I've seen to "sand" is actually decomposing granite. (I used to live in their natural habitat -- San Diego and Riverside counties in California.)

I give my rosies 24/7 access to water. If rosies are kept in a chronically humid climate they may develop respiratory illness. A day or two of humid weather won't kill them nor will a water bowl. If you're having difficulty keeping the humidity from getting too high then limiting access to their water bowl will bring it down. This is not necessary for my rosies as humidity stays between 45-60%. It's dry enough for them to drink as they please. :)

Hibernation or brumation is not necessary if you do not intend to breed your snake. Pet snakes are happy to be warm year round.

Ultimately it depends on what you want to spend, what's available in your area, how much setup work you want to put into it, what you want aesthetically, how easy the enclosure is to maintain, and of course what's comfortable for the snake.

[franks]

I disagree with the statement that rosy boas are nocturnal and do not require light. Like most desert reptiles that live in an extreme environment, the avoid the heat of the harsh days. They are very active at dusk and dawn and in captivity will venture out during the day. They are fairly active snakes. After a ton of research and a desire to replicate it's natural habitat, this is what I came up with:
http://rs57.pbsrc.com/albums/g223/diehardislanders/IMAG0316.jpg~320x480

To address a few of your points-
Humidity:
There is alot of mixed information out there because in their natural habitat the humidity is fiercely low. However, they make their homes and can be found pretty much in any rocky area that is retaining humidity. Like Psychosnake stated: as long as it is not excessive it should be fine. I used a screen top with overhead lighting to lower humidity a bit (to around 40) but always offered humid hides which she seemed to favor. You can leave water 24/7- I chose to keep my water away from the heat spurce.

Substrate:
Their natural substrate is granite and rock pieces and chunks. They do love rodent holes and burrows too. I offered both- half deep aspen shavings so she could burrow, half pebbles mixed with larger rocks. She liked burrow long under the aspen right on the edge of the rocks and was very active on both sunstrates. I put the stone side as the hot side to retain heat.

Lighting:
I love the overhead light for rosy boas because I feel it is the most natural. It encouraged her to come out and be active during the day to periodically bask. I also shut it down at night and let the temps drop, again to stimulate activity.

Size of enclosure:
This is up to you. I believe bigger is better and allows the snake to be viewed in a more natural manner. They are active snakes and will use the space you give them.

Hibernation:
Unless you are planning on breeding it is not necessary. Mine hibernated her first two winters but that was only because my apartment was so poorly insulated. A cool note regarding hibernation is that in the wild these snakes often hibernate in small groups, sometimes with other species of snakes mixed in.

Hope this helps