Pairs 2015: Scar & Alman (Orange/Red)

[Snakesitter]

Finally, Living Gems is reaching the scale where we can pick and choose our breeder animals for the next year. We will have ten females large enough to breed this season, from which we will choose eight.

Our fourth pairing this year puts together Scarface and Almandine in pursuit of an orange-red litter. It is a repeat of a highly successful pairing from 2013.

Scarface
The male, Scarface, is a gorgeous orange…

Baby
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8082/8307030985_a2a6794841_z.jpg

Adult
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8611/15856805744_4ed3f76292_z.jpg

…who was born in July 2008.

Almandine
The female, Almandine, is a beautiful orange-red female who comes from a vibrant red lineage,

Baby
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8308053374_00f1891d15_z.jpg

Adult
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/15856835164_c8b6e2b436_z.jpg

She was born in July 2008, and currently weighs a solid 2557 grams.

Their babies -- 20, last time -- should again run a literal rainbow from dark orange to brick red.

Thank you, as always, for reading.

[marvelfreak]

Damn they are stunning and should make some outstanding babies. Best of luck.

[Snakesitter]

Thank you -- I hope so!!

[Minkness]

So can't wait to have one of your gems!

[Snakesitter]

Thank you! :-) We look forward to finding you the perfect little one!

[Minkness]

I'm tempted to just get one soon and deal with a tub setup lol

[Snakesitter]

I'm happy to support you however you decide. If you go the temp tub route, however, make sure you set it up well beforehand and give it a good test run to ensure it will meet a baby rainbow's needs.

[Minkness]

What size tub would be good for the first year? What needs (outside of the obvious) would a baby BRB require?

[Snakesitter]

I would aim for three square feet of floor space or more. A plastic or PVC tub would be best, as these hold humidity well, with a tight-fitting lid to prevent escapes. Aside from the obvious moderate temp and high humidity needs, make sure you get a good thermostat (you can keep the same one for when he/she grows up) and offer a moist moss hide and water bowl large enough to soak in. A substrate than resists mold but holds humidity well, and also allows burrowing, is a big plus -- something like coco husk, orchid bark, or eco earth.

I assume you have a long-term plan to upgrade to a full enclosure?

[Minkness]

Yes actually. I have a wall unit/entertainment center that I will customize later. =)

Also, I have a 20 gallon long tank that I could easily work into proper humidity for the first year (maybe 2?).

Still not even close to ready to add a BRB...but maybe by the end of this year I can get a baby from you =)

You'll be the first to know, and I'll have LOTS of questions lol.

[Snakesitter]

Perfect.

Glass has both pluses and minuses. On the plus, it holds humidity well (once you cover the screen top). On the minus, it does *not* hold heat well, and can make a snake nervous due to all the visibility. All of this can be addressed, though.

That timing is fine, and I am always happy to answer questions. :-) Thank you!

[Minkness]

Would a 20 gal long be good for the 1st 2 years?

I'm not worried about the the visible thing since I can just use a fishtank scene/liner and I use shelving liner over the screen lid as well, so it could be 'enclosed' on 5 sides with just the viewing front.

[Snakesitter]

What is the floor space for a 20 Long? You may need to add some insulation over the scene liner, and definitely something more like plexi over the screen top (traps humidity much better)...but otherwise, if the floor space is enough, that sounds good!

[Minkness]

I'll measure it later tonight. At work for now.

[Snakesitter]

Understood, and no hurry!

[Derek Roddy]

Nice pairing. Great color.

D

[Snakesitter]

Thank you, Derek!