New BRB.

[TroyL]

So I just picked up my first BRB yesterday.. Not sure if its a male or female yet. Still very small and my friend who breeds ball pythons was not able to pop it and sex it. So we will have to wait for them to get bigger to sex and name them. For the size it doesn't seem to nippy with me..
Hoping to get a 2nd one in the near future to set up a breeding pair.

[Jim Smith]

I added BRBs to my collection about a year ago, and they have become my favorite snakes. Stunningly beautiful, great eaters, and calm demeanor (for the most part). They require a bit more care and attention than some species, but well worth the extra effort.

[EL Ziggy]

Congrats on the new addition. I've always loved BRBs but the husbandry needs kinda kept me away. They're absolutely gorgeous snakes though. You should share pics when you can. :)

[Scubadiver59]

Welcome to the club! :)

[TroyL]

Congrats on the new addition. I've always loved BRBs but the husbandry needs kinda kept me away. They're absolutely gorgeous snakes though. You should share pics when you can. :)

What part of the husbandry keeps you away.. They require a bit lower temps but higher humidity.


I just picked mine up Saturday.. I got it out the day I got it and then yesterday for a few minutes.. My friend told me to leave them alone for about a week to make sure they are going to eat. Says it is a very small snake. Its only 4-6 weeks old if that.

[EL Ziggy]

What part of the husbandry keeps you away.. They require a bit lower temps but higher humidity.


I just picked mine up Saturday.. I got it out the day I got it and then yesterday for a few minutes.. My friend told me to leave them alone for about a week to make sure they are going to eat. Says it is a very small snake. Its only 4-6 weeks old if that.


The higher humidity requirements was the biggest hurdle for me and I've heard they're not forgiving of husbandry errors. I'm sure it's nothing I couldn't handle but I didn't take the plunge. :)

[TroyL]

I figure the tiger humid can just keep kept up with either daily misting or even putting in a hide box that has sphagnum moss in it to help with the humidity.. Ive read that just keeping cypress mulch in would help with humidity as well. Keep the under neither damp and the top part more dry I guess?

[DJC Reptiles]

I figure the tiger humid can just keep kept up with either daily misting or even putting in a hide box that has sphagnum moss in it to help with the humidity.. Ive read that just keeping cypress mulch in would help with humidity as well. Keep the under neither damp and the top part more dry I guess?

For a baby Brazilian Rainbow boa you're going to need humidity levels of 88-100%, consistently through the entire enclosure. This does not mean it should be wet all the time, high dampness can cause fungal issues. Use cypress mulch or coconut fiber but stay away from aspen, this will reduce your chances.

[Shauna0522]

For a baby Brazilian Rainbow boa you're going to need humidity levels of 88-100%, consistently through the entire enclosure. This does not mean it should be wet all the time, high dampness can cause fungal issues. Use cypress mulch or coconut fiber but stay away from aspen, this will reduce your chances.

Yeah I use both cypress and the coconut fiber it works pretty well. But I also use a fogger it helps a lot with the humidity level you just have to be sure to let it dry out a little if it gets too wet. But I like it a lot better than misting, I was having to mist mine like 5 times a day to keep the humidity level up and now that I have the fogger I just have to fill that up every other day it's nice.

[Scubadiver59]

I use a small garbage bag to cover my terrariums, to keep in the moisture, and paper towels on top. To lower the humidity if it starts to smell stagnant in the enclosure, I'll flip the paper towels on the bottom and the bag on top and it seems to keep the enclosure from drying out too fast.

Otherwise, I soak the substrate fairly well , trying to get the moisture down to the coco layer. I use repti bark on bottom for some drainage (prob should use pebbles), then coco, then cypress.

Yeah I use both cypress and the coconut fiber it works pretty well. But I also use a fogger it helps a lot with the humidity level you just have to be sure to let it dry out a little if it gets too wet. But I like it a lot better than misting, I was having to mist mine like 5 times a day to keep the humidity level up and now that I have the fogger I just have to fill that up every other day it's nice.

[Shauna0522]

I use a small garbage bag to cover my terrariums, to keep in the moisture, and paper towels on top. To lower the humidity if it starts to smell stagnant in the enclosure, I'll flip the paper towels on the bottom and the bag on top and it seems to keep the enclosure from drying out too fast.

Otherwise, I soak the substrate fairly well , trying to get the moisture down to the coco layer. I use repti bark on bottom for some drainage (prob should use pebbles), then coco, then cypress.

Yeah I was thinking about getting some of the clay balls as well but I think I will wait till I go bioactive.

[Kevin C]

Hi, TroyL. I'm a bit late here but wanted to add a couple of things I have noticed in my limited time keeping neonate BRBs, in case it helps. I just got back into keeping snakes again and am keeping BRBs. They're wonderful snakes and not difficult to keep given you meet some basic requirements. I'm no expert but wanted to share what I have learned so far in keeping these beauties.

To easily maintain a high relative humidity you might want to consider an appropriate sized plastic tub to start with (with the heat source controlled by a good proportional thermostat, of course). I have drilled 5-6 holes on two sides of the tub to minimize humidity loss/ventilation. Keeping a shallow, large surface area water container and minimizing ventilation will keep humidity around 95% or higher due to the evaporating water not leaving the enclosure, in my experience. I have found that daily misting, foggers, etc. aren't needed with the appropriate setup. If they are required you may have too much ventilation. I'd also recommend using cheap, plastic containers to make a couple humidity hides, one each on the cool and warm end by keeping damp (lightly misted, not saturated) sphagnum moss with two holes cut into it for entering/exiting.

I have been using coconut husk fiber/EcoEarth this time around and am very pleased. It holds moisture extremely well, is easy to clean and allows your neonate BRB to burrow if you have a couple of inches of it. Mine love burrowing and often prefer it to any of the hides.

Something else I have noticed since keeping BRBs is that they are more secretive and nocturnal than other species I have kept in the past. They seem most comfortable with dim lighting, at least the neonates. I also choose tubs for neonates that are more opaque rather than clear to diffuse the light. Or, I will black out 3 of the sides to keep it fairly dark for them. During the day you probably will not see your BRB often. Mine come out nightly to explore, drink, etc.

Lastly, because of the high humidity, be on the lookout for mold/mildew, especially if you have cage decorations such as bark, branch work, etc. I spot clean every day or two, wash all decorations, water bowls, etc. at least every 2 weeks (if not soiled before then) and disinfect everything with dilute/very light blue Chlorhexidine solution every couple of months. Just be sure to rinse everything well after disinfecting.

Enjoy your BRB! I've become quite smitten with these wonderful snakes.

[SnakeyJay]

Congrats on getting a brb, you won’t be disappointed at all...

I’ll try not to go over points already made, but I do want to reiterate about them being a shy species. Offer lots of cover inside the enclosure and as has been said you want 80%+ on humidity. I find they feed far better once the lights go down but also become quite bitey as well at night... so I keep feeding to nights and handling to daytime.

Personally, if you can’t sex the snake then I’d say hold off on getting another as you’ll have a 50/50 chance of getting the right sex... You’ll have plenty of time to pick up a second one as this one grows to size and then you’ll at least know what sex you need.

Also, be careful with popping and probing to find out the sex... It’s very easy at that age to hurt them doing that and also it’s possible to injure the sexual organs and that’ll cause issues later on when breeding time comes.

Good luck, keep us all updated as you get on.... And I’m sure we’d all love to see some pics of your new addition! :D

[Shauna0522]

Congratulations they are an awesome snake!