Is this a good setup to start?

[ChristinaM]

This is my brb setup (temp)

http://www.linkd.net/~cmarvin/public/snake/brbsetup.jpg

big enough water bowl to soak in....2 hides with damp newspaper in it. Thick layer of newspaper on bottom that she can crawl under.

Temps: 75-84F (cool to hot spot)

[Tim_Cranwill]

Looks pretty good. :) I don't think your choice of hides is ideal though. You may want to find something that will be a tighter fit for the snake....

You're on the right track though. :)

[ChristinaM]

hmmmmmm. How snug of a fit are we talking? I'm thinking perhaps a 1lb margarine container with lid, hole cut in for access, and newspaper for humidity?

Thanks :)

[UpscaleBoas]

tim's right...the snake needs to be secure and hiden...good start though

[Tim_Cranwill]

That's kind of tricky to answer becasue different snakes will like different hides. Also, when they're this young they're always growing so temporary hides workwell. Try different things and see what works for your snake. Just think dark and tight. :)

[foman]

Looks good , you could also try to get some moss and put it in the hides, Marge containers work well, Myself I like to use plant pots because they are super cheap,look pretty good and come in all different sizes and colours. I would also cut a hole in the side and lay it top side down. And a second water dish isn't a bad idea either.

:hammer:

[ohh_kristina]

everything looks great, but as already mentioned, you need smaller hides that are more closed in, and add a humid hide. You can use upside down plant holders with a hole knocked out of the side for a hide..those seem to work very well. I use these "hamster hides" that you buy at the pet store - the smallest kind available. I put two of them in my rubbermaid, one in the middle of the enclosure and one on the "hot" (not very hot, actually) side that is filled with moist moss. She uses the humid hide most of the time, or burrows under the cypress mulch.

[eyespy]

You can also try a paper towel roll or hollow branch, some snakes prefer a longer, thinner hide while others like to coil up in something roundish. So try 2 different shapes to see which your snake prefers.

[Jeff_Favelle]

75-84F is too cold. Try 80-88F as your gradient.

And the hide boxes aren't useful to a small Rainbow like that. Baby Rainbows THRIVE in layers of damp newspaper. Put like 20-25 layers if newspaper in there and the Rainbow will wedge itself in between the layers. Simply being hidden and dark isn't enough. They need to feel confined on all sides (ie. pressure on their backs).

[BoidKeeper]

Here's my set up. My temps are what Jeff said.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/504/289BRB_Cage_1-med.jpg

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/504/289BRB_Cage_2-med.jpg

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/504/289BRB_Cage_3-med.jpg
I'm moving them into the next size rubbermaid after x-mass.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Tim_Cranwill]

Looks like a garbage dump.... but I bet your boa is happy and healthy. ;)

[BoidKeeper]

I've kept them like this since day one. Just keep increasing the Rubbermaid size.
Cheers,
Trevor

[ChristinaM]

Thanks Jeff/Trevor.....the pics help emmensely. I'll definately change the temp (everywhere I've read has said anything above 85F can be dangerous to them that's why my temps were where they were).

[Will]

HA!

Looks like my room :D

[BoidKeeper]

anything above 85F can be dangerous
Anything above 85 can be if they are young and not kept really well hydrated. Young BRBs that are kept too hot and not wet enough can dry up like a raisin.
Cheers,
Trevor

[ChristinaM]

Originally posted by BoidKeeper
Anything above 85 can be if they are young and not kept really well hydrated. Young BRBs that are kept too hot and not wet enough can dry up like a raisin.
Cheers,
Trevor


Then would it not be best to keep them around 85F? How can u tell if they are not being hydrated enough?

Thanks

[BoidKeeper]

No, you can keep them over 85 as long as you keep them like we are keeping them, you, me and Jeff. When people keep them in a hot open top tank and they are only neonates that's when the trouble begins. As long as you don't go over 88 and he' in a rubbermaid you'll be fine. Just pile in lots of news paper like in my pics and you'll be fine. Plus if the hot spot does get too hot in the size of rubbermaid you are using they can get away from it.
Make sense?
Trevor

[Jeff_Favelle]

Exactly what Trev said.

Also, when people say 85F is fatal to Rainbows, they aren't entirely wrong. CONSTANT, AMBIENT 85F is not great for Rainbows. A heat gradient is needed for any snake to accomplish its daily thermoregulatory activities. And this gradient has proven to be 80-88F. Just a fact of life. Well, a Rainbow life anyways.

P.S. A constant temperature for ANY snake sucks. Not just Rainbows. Snakes use different temperatures to accomplish different things. Therefore, they need a gradient. And every snake is different. That is why we have so many species. If they all had the same physiological requirements, then the world would just be populated with ONE species that looked and acted the same. Its all about microhabitats and localized niches. Yes indeed. :D

[ChristinaM]

:thumbsup: Thanks muchly folks. I definately think she is hydrated enough....I haven't changed the "decor" yet, but I redid a humid hide with a sandwich sized container, the inside lined with newspaper, lots of newspaper.....so when she goes in, she can burrow into the paper.

I don't want to disturb her too much now, I gave her her first meal tonight. So I'm gonna leave her alone for a few days, then add some more paper. :)