Rainbow boas good 2nd snake?

[VI Reptiles]

Hi, I am just wondering if a rainbow boa would be a good second snake. I have had a bp for 11 months and Im having fun with it but I just want more! What I wanted to know though is what I would keep it in when its an adult. Is newspaper good for substrate? How do you keep the humidity up with newspaper? Whats the best way to heat the enclosure. How big of a bin would I need for a 5 ft rainbow boa. Whats the biggest meal they can eat? Are they good first time breeders?


Thanks

[dr greenlove]

I would say that Rainbows make good second snakes...they are very nice animals indeed.

As to your questions, if you haven't already read the "Sticky" thread up top then i would do so, it answers most/all of your questions.

Also bear in mind that i am no expert, but i speak from the limited experience of what i have done with my BRB.

1/Keep an adult in what you would keep a baby in...just bigger, just make sure that its humidity resistant.

2/Newspaper is what i use, not the most pretty of substrates...but the most practicle.

3/Humidty levels shouldn't really be a problem...with the correct levels of ventilation a light spray every day or two should be fine...you could always include a container with moist sphagnum moss in for extra humdity. Just make sure that you do a "dry run" for a week or so before you get the animal.

Make absolutely sure you know how that cage works.

4/Heating would be a contentious issue. From my own experience BRBs hate light, i originally used a lightbulb setup...which worked fine from a practicle point of veiw. But it was only when i switched to a heat mat that i started to actually see the snake.

Actually the "seeing" the snake is about the only negative aspect to the species...very nocturnal. They are not a good "display" animal, shame as they are one the finest coloured snakes.

5/What size bin? To be honest i am not sure what you mean.

6/Size of meal...that is of course entirely dependent on the size of the snake.

But, relatively speaking, they can pack away huge food items.

7/As to breeding i haven't a clue.

Hope that helps a little.:)

[Vengeance]

For you VI I would have to say no, a Rainbow Boa isn't a good idea. Get your Ball python setup properly, get him back to good health, get rid of the Scale Rot/Thermal Burn on his belly and then think about getting a second snake. You should be focusing more on your current snake considering the bad shape it's in instead of worrying about what snake to get next.

[VI Reptiles]

First - I am having the snake looked at today and that should clear up the confusion. Im not thinking of today or tommowrow im more thinking in a month or even a year! Just trying to figure it out.

Second - A guy cant ask questions?

Third - Well..... there is no third..

Thanks

[SnakeyeZ]

I would hafta agree with Vengence, not as easy to keep as ball pythons, and if your having troubles with that, maybe take a second to read up, and you'll do fine!

RiCh

[BoidKeeper]

I would also sugest you hold off on a rainbow boa. Maybe you should look at Rosy boas or sand boas or even children and spotted pythons. All those would make a great second snake for you. Brazilians can be nasty and need the right cage.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Jeff_Favelle]

I agree. And I even SELL Rainbows. Go with a Rosie, a Kenyan, or maybe even an Antaresia. But I would say Rainbows are a few years away for you. But there's still lots of cool snakes to own and enjoy!

[VI Reptiles]

Thanks, I will pick up a pair of rosy boas for I think it was $300. I have heard rosies are VERY hard to breed. I might buy a spotted if so.

[Bartman]

Hey man, I’ve been in your shoes once. Well sort of. I used to just want so much in such a short time span that sometimes id screw up the housing or not even have it ready. I’ve slowly understood that it is crucial to take this hobby slow. Don’t think about breeding now, don’t think about snakes now really, but think about getting your ball python to 100 percent health with a 100 percent working tank. Until then id personally hold off on anything new. I’m assuming you're somewhere near my age, so if so, you've got plenty of time buddy. There is absolutely no need to rush. Don’t just get something for the heck of getting it. I’ve also made these mistakes as well. Read up on TONS of stuff and read TONS of books and then decide what really catches your eye and then see if you are prepared to care for it properly.

Just my $0.02

[Matt_K]

Im not thinking of today or tommowrow im more thinking in a month or even a year! Just trying to figure it out.

Interesting.. Considering you have a thread up in the Wanted section of the Classifieds for Rosies and Kenyans..

Thanks, I will pick up a pair of rosy boas for I think it was $300. I have heard rosies are VERY hard to breed. I might buy a spotted if so.

Shows where your priorities are..

I too think you need to get the situation with your Ball Python worked out before you run out and spend all this money on other animals that you don't seem ready for...

-Matt

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Agreed with Matt 100%.

C.

[VI Reptiles]

Thanks for your replies,

Bartman, I will slow down and forget about everything else but this ball python!

Matt, I think it was the DUMBEST idea to buy a ball python. You need to have all this humidity and everything HAS to be perfect! Im really really wondering why everybody thinks these are the easiest snakes. geese. If I knew how easy sandboas and rosies are too keep I would have bought them instead. I feel like I made a huge mistake buying a ball python ever.

I have my priorities set straight now, no more reptiles till this is fixed!

[marisa]

VI if you find ball pythons hard to take care of you are in for a real awakening.

Ball Pythons ARE the easiest snakes to keep aside from cornsnakes and probably rosy boas. If you cannot succesfully keep them, then I am afriad you should stay away from other boids as well. it's simple! 90-95 hot spot. 78-82 cool side. Humidity 60-80% depending on shed and condition. Food once per week. Done. That's ALL ball pythons take care wise.

Colubrid snakes might be easier for you for now. They require very little humidity and lower temps in most cases.

Marisa

[Matt_K]

LOL, if you find Ball Pythons soo hard to care for, you really have NO reason to be asking about BRB's or other Rainbows.. :D

Im glad you've decided to get the Ball Python situation worked out before you move on to another herp though.. IN the end, it will prove to be the most rewarding decision.. In the meantime, READ as much as you possibly can about whatever species interests you and you can also start to get an enclosure set up, this way you'll be able to assure your herp and yourself that you have the proper conditions..

[HeatherRose]

Besides agreeing with Matt 100%,

and everything HAS to be perfect!

Isn't this what you should strive for in all the particulars related to your animals?

If you think 60% is 'all this humidity' and that's hard for you to maintain...what about the 75-85% for a Rainbow Boa? Ball pythons are a bit more forgiving of these husbandry mistakes, but not rainbows.

[marisa]

Yes I agree with Matt as well. It's very good you are getting the ball python situation over with. My post wasn't meant against you, but to point out that in this hobby balls are considered a beginners snake meaning you should master that before getting *anything* else. :D

Marisa

[VI Reptiles]

Heather rose, So far my ball python has not been so forgiving as you have described, Its constant stress thinking my snake isnt going to be alive in the morning or when I come home from school hes not going to be alive or if hes going to be ok the next day.

Marisa, Good. To master them takes a long time I guess.

Im so mad and I wish I never did this but I was told get the mulch stuff ( not cedar ). It was ok for about 2 months and then he started getting scale rot..... I payed 15 dollars for it and now im paying for that mistake. First I thought it was just wood under his scales and so on till now.

Thanks

[BoidKeeper]

The snake probably had scale rot to begin with. You could have caused it if you were keeping the cage too wet and too cold though. But like I said, the scale rot was probably already there.
Cheers,
Trevor

[HeatherRose]

Heather rose, So far my ball python has not been so forgiving as you have described, Its constant stress thinking my snake isnt going to be alive in the morning or when I come home from school hes not going to be alive or if hes going to be ok the next day.

I can completely understand what you're going through, I've beenin the same situation with one of my herps.

I mean that ball pythons in general, are more forgiving of general beginner husbandry mistakes...not that they should be made, but if it's something like not being able to get your humidity up high enough, it will be okay for a bit.

But, if you're looking to get a rainbow boa (as said in another thread) that can lead to worse problems, faster. I'm not saying it won't lead to issues with ball pythons either though.

Basically: If you think BP humidity is too difficult to achieve, rainbow boa humidity will be impossible...

I'm definitely not trying to jump on you or anything at all, I promise...I wish you and you ball the best of luck :D

[marisa]

The best thing to do at this point is what you are probably already doing...paper towels, hot temps, and plenty of alone time for the snake aside from the vet visits every couple days.

By "master it" I only meant be successful in keeping a ball python healthy, happy and feeding for a good amount of time, then move on. It will help you in the long run and could possibly save money in vet trips.

Marisa

[VI Reptiles]

Heather, The thing is I tried 3 layers of newspaper moist then my snake always went under the paper and I never saw it. Then I tried the forest ground and it did not work because now I have to deal with scale rot. I put another hide in it which was a moist hide. It started looking worse so i took it out. Was it a good idea? He spend almost his whole time in there instead of his dry spot. Im running out of ideas :(


Its just getting soo hard to keep this guy and Im constantly using money to keep him alive and I feel like I will never get another snake the way im going.


Thanks

[marisa]

Dude. Let me give you some advice.

1. Rubbermaid. Small. He does NOT need major room right now especially with a health problem. Rubbermaids are ten bucks, IF that.

2. Heat pad on 1/3 controlled to create a 90 degree hot spot. Heat pads are less than 20 bucks.

3. Appropriate sized water dish on cool end.

4. paper towel on the bottom. Paper towel costs like 2 dollars.

5. ONE hide on the warm side.

Done.

This is what I would do. It's a simple set up, will hold enough humidity for him to be healthy without misting and adding to much moisture for his scale rot while also providing one hide over the warm area where he needs to be. Sick snakes need warm temps to keep up.

Stop the complications like humid hides, misting, moving things in and out, worrying etc. Set him up simple, do the vet thing, and mainly leave him alone for time to heal. This is all my opinion and what I would do if it was my snake.

Marisa

[marisa]

It's as simple as this.

<img src="http://8snakes.myftp.org/marisa/cage.jpg">

One of my rubbermaids:
<img src="http://8snakes.myftp.org/marisa/Snakes/dolores/cage.jpg">

Marisa

[HeatherRose]

I'm with Marisa 100% on the rubbermaids...

My snakes are all kept in them, and I have never had to worry about humidity once. It's a snap.

[Bartman]

That is exactly what I do as well.

Ive actually taken the hides out as I found when they knock the water over it ruins the hides. My rubermaids are black and they are in a rack so they are secure feeling forsure :)

Good luck VI, at least you are taking it to the vet so thats great!

[VI Reptiles]

Ok! I will go on saturday buy a new heat mat, buy a rubbermaid and try it that way, hopefully less then $50. Geese if I would have done this in the beginning I would have saved an extra $70 from the 40 gallon aquarium. Maybe I will stay with ball pythons if all goes well.

Marisa, Im just wondering if I need to mist his rubbermaid?

Thanks

[dia]

Just make sure to put air holes in the rubbermaid. :)

[marisa]

Yeah air holes are good. :D

You shoulnd't have to mist at all. I never ever mist unless I happen to catch one in shed. Even then I miss the sheds and don't mist, they still shed perfectly.

This set up allows constant cleaning which a sick snake needs. All the components aside from the tub itself are disposible and cheap.

Marisa

[VI Reptiles]

Great, less money to spend!


Thanks

[marisa]

No offense, but keeping animals is not cheap. You seem to want to learn but on the other hand the overtone of all your posts is "how cheap"

Somewhere along the line people made the mistake of getting the idea that the reptile hobby can be cheap. I am a firm believer it takes a good chunk of money to keep ANY animal healthy let alone a collection of them. Reptiles are not cheap. You can expect to spend hundreds more dollars on this snake in its lifetime. Even if nothing goes wrong, that's food costs alone.

Marisa

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by marisa
No offense, but keeping animals is not cheap. You seem to want to learn but on the other hand the overtone of all your posts is "how cheap"

You beat me to it..

I also think this is why VI Reptiles is looking into getting the Rosies and Kenyans.. I also know that he's been looking into Leo's.. To me, it looks like you're in this hobby for ALL the WRONG reasons VI.. If you think you're going to make money here, you're in for a rude awakening..

-Matt

[VI Reptiles]

I will explain why. I have already spend $200 on this snake and im really not up to spending anymore on it as I have a limit I feel I want to spend it on other things. I love reptiles, the first time I saw a grandis day gecko I was amazed and I wished I could have it but I was only 6 or 7 yrs old. Yes, im a bit greedy, but im a kid and what can you expect? I think im thinking the best way to get to the top fastest (seeling quality herps and really rare or unique ones).

Thanks

[marisa]

Admiting you are greedy would be the same time a person realizes it and becomes not greedy.

You won't get anywhere NEAR the top if you cannot keep ball pythons succesfully.

Again, not coming down on you at all. But it's true.

Marisa

[Matt_K]

If you have a limit of what you're willing to spend on your Reptiles, how do you figure you're going to feed them??

If you have ONE Ball Python eating ONE Large Rat every week, at say.. $2.00 per rat.. That's $2.00 every week.. After one year you've already spent over $100 to feed ONE snake... Now, with your limit that you want to spend on each snake, you're going to live a pissed off life cause your snakes are costing you too much money..

[VI Reptiles]

Actually for me its about $3.50 for a rat. I get $20 a week for doing chores so I dont mind getting 17.50 instead. I also have to pay for 100 crickets every 2 weeks which is about $10.00. I actually dont mind that much cause I still get about 10.00 a week. I find that "yes" thats alot of money on 1 snake every year but its only 48 times a year and thats fine with me. right now i get $960 a year without the pets and 480 with. If I started breeding something it might pay off enough to buy instead of 1 rat a week I would buy 250 rats for $500 every couple months and it would last me a very long time even with 10 snakes. Marisa, Who sais you have to get to the top with ball pythons?

Matt k, since I was 11 I have had to pay for my reptile's food etc....
Thats nearly half as much as I get in a year. In 3 yrs at the moment I can get $1440, if I had no reptiles at all I would get $2880 (thats double).

Thanks

[Matt_K]

That still doesn't justify you saying that you're tired of spending money on the Ball Python.. If you're tired of spending money on your Reptiles, find a new hobby.. Maybe Comic Books?? Not trying to sound rude or anything, but you're telling us that you're tired of spending money on this one snake, well, I hate to break it to you, but you're NOT going to be done spending money on it until; A) You part ways with it or B) It passes on..

[Bartman]

I think you need to realize you cant have a limit with something like this. These are living breathing animals here...they cost money, they get sick, they eat, etc. You will be spending way more money then your making, breeding or not. Well the only thing you MAYBE get from breeding is covering your costs...

[Brent Strande]

I can understand how a kid with limited income can become frustrated when he's dropping that much money on an animal, and wish that he didn't have to drop anymore on it, other than the feeding and whatnot...

I'm not saying that it's right, but I can see where that would come from.

I also know see where the mods are coming from, in their attacks, as this animal does need to be taken care of before any others are purchased...

[VI Reptiles]

Matt, Im not that tired of spending money, let me re phrase whatever I said earlier. Im a bit tired of spending money but I still will until the snake is happy and getting better. LOL? comic books........ wowsers, what a great hobby! Will I need a UTH, A heat lamp and an aquarium??????? No thanks....

Bartman, Thats really all I wanted to do. Cover the costs of my reptiles and maybe get a bit on the side to use on other things.

Thanks

[HeatherRose]

Everyone is just saying that if you're going to have a hobby that involves the lives of animals, you need to be prepared for expenses and vet bills.

I can also understand where people's posts are coming from, and I can see your side of it too. I used to sell all kinds of crap when I was younger: lemonade, books, etc... who doesn't love money?

Everyone is simply worried that you are putting on the air of someone who might sacrifice the health of their animals (everyone here is an animal lover, and are quite passionate about it) for money... that's all...

Good luck, and I hope you can prove 'em wrong for sure...

[VI Reptiles]

I try and take pride of how healthy my animals are but at the moment 1 is not. Exactly! Who doesnt love money? Who doesnt need money to survive? Who wants to get to the top? Im guessing most of us! Dont get me started on how much I love animals..... We have 5 dogs and I love them soooo much! I love every one of my animals and I hope that they never get sick, etc... Just earlier this year my mom spend 2k just on vet bills because my dogs caught kennel cough and that was crazy.

In the end I will prove them wrong that I can take care of this snake and that I can keep him in good health and to show them even more, breed my bp (when I get another one).

Thanks

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by Brent Strande
I also know see where the mods are coming from, in their attacks, as this animal does need to be taken care of before any others are purchased...

Please show me where any mods have 'attacked' VI Reptiles.. I think we have ALL been very patient and helped him along the way.. NO ONE is attacking him..

-Matt

[Bartman]

I agree I see no attacks. Im actually surprised in how helpfull everyone is trying to be.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Not to stick my nose in, but for any of the newbies reading or even some of the vets; you know, this can all be AVOIDED 95% of the time by buying CAPTIVE-BRED animals from a reputable BREEDER. People think its a shortcut to buy WC animals for cheaper. One vet visit and you've just spent what you would have saved (and more).

Not saying that its the case with VI Reptiles. But 9 times out of 10, if you are new to snakes and you have to take your new pet to the vet this early into the game, you didn't do your research and you didn't buy a good specimen to begin with.

[marisa]

We attacked him?

I went out of my way to draw a adobe photo just for this thread to show him how to properly set up an enclosure so he can get his snake healthy.

I guess that's now considered an attack. Wow. We need less sensitivity here as we are simply trying to help someone from making bad choices and help him keep his snake healthy.

Marisa

[Brent Strande]

I apologize, I posted in the quick reply... I wasn't meaning 'attack' but I guess that it slipped. How's about 'arguments against it...' is that better?

And I still can understand how he'd be getting tired of spending more and more money... Anyone would, the difference lies between the people who will spend it, and those who will simply toss the snake. (I'd pay it, but I wouldn't be jumping for joy as medical costs soared!)

We need less sensitivity here as we are simply trying to help someone from making bad choices and help him keep his snake healthy.

I agree, we need much less sensitivity... it was ONE word, and I didn't think that it'd get so many reactions, I was simply referring to the way that pwople couldn't understand a 14-year old mentality that spending more and more money is not fun (and most kids I know like fun...)

Well, crap, I typed this in the quick reply, so please take it with a grain of salt... I'm not trying to start something, just let you know what I was trying to say.

VI, as far as a rainbow boa, I will agree with everyone else that I wouldn't recommend them. They DO require much more humidity than the BP, and need more specific temperatures, and are less forgiving of errors, especially if you end up with too much heat...

Get that ball back to 100% health and go from there! It WILL be a much more rewarding experience!

[VI Reptiles]

When I got my snake he had a couple mites and I treated him in betadine and they disapeared as if there was never any. I think it was dumb I wasnt there to see the snake and inspect it. My mom just called me and picked it up then I payed her back. I have no idea if its wc or cb.

Matt, you have been a bit aggressive but not to much.

Marisa, you were a bit aggressive then you lightened up and now are trying to help me.

Brent, thanks for understanding because most of these people arent 14 and are probably past there 20s and have been doing this since they were 10.

I will get that setup tommowrow if I can get out of my street (not plowed) so sometimes we get stuck at the top and we gotta get pushed back down.

Thanks

[Jeff_Favelle]

When I got my snake he had a couple mites and I treated him in betadine and they disapeared

You got rid of the mites with betadine??? Is that possible??

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by VI Reptiles
Matt, you have been a bit aggressive but not to much.

Honestly now, what are you talking about???? How was I aggressive? Was it because I said you should get your current animal to 100%?? Or was it because I told you that you're going to have to keep spending money on this snake no matter what?? I honestly don't understand how I was being 'aggressive' as i've been very calm and hopefully helpful..

-Matt

[marisa]

Not agreeing is not being aggresive. None of my replies were meant as aggresive. I am just as confused as matt is when it comes to how anyone was aggresive.

If we seemed aggresive, you seemed just as uncaring when you say you don't want to spend money on the snake. Same thing. You cleared it up, say you don't actually feel exactly that way, just like we don't feel aggresive. Frankly I don't care what snakes you end up with, I was sharing simple facts. Take 'em or leave 'em :D

Marisa

[VI Reptiles]

Jeff, I guess so because they disapeared and that was what I was told. Ok, Im going to get all that stuff today because we could not get out of the road and it was snowing constantly pretty much for 2 days. Theres is now about 2 ft and we had no energy for 1 day. I kept my reptiles in smaller containers near our stove so they could get warmer and immediatley they got more active.