Brazilian Rainbow Boa husbandry question [Archive]

Sapphyr

01-31-11, 03:30 AM

So, I purchased a 4 month old Het Hypo Brazilian Rainbow Boa(or something like that) and brought him home, switched out the bedding for what the breeder recommended, Jungle Earth, said it contained humidity well. Put his two hidey spots in there, one on the hot side, one on the cool side, and a soaking/water dish in the center. I also soaked the bedding so it'd evaporate to raise humidity. Yes, I know it's not 100% safe since it can cause mold to grow, especially with the humidity needed, but I do stir the bedding around from time to time, and after a day or two I dig to the bottom to see if it evaporated well. I've only had him for about 14 hours but I've had the cage ready for weeks, just had to switch out bedding. So, I ofcourse put him in there after it was all ready, misted and watered.

Now, I'd been monitoring the humidity, checking every 30 - 60 minutes to see how high it'd go with half of the top duct taped to prevent too much being lost and the other half having the heat lamp over it. I found after an hour or two it got to 70% humidity and began to decline to 60%. I was trying to get it to 80% or higher since that's what the breeder recommended. So, I ripped all the duct tape off, took a towel and cut out a circle for the lamp and soaked it in warm water, squeezed some out so it'd be damp, and put it over the lid. It instantly boosted the humidity to 70%, and over an hour or so it got up to 80% and stayed, so I'm content for now, but then the high humidity amplified the heat to 93 F, and I felt that was too high, so I switched light bulbs to the night light and it dropped to 80 F. I don't think that's too bad but I feel 85 F would be better.

So, my question is, is light an absolute must? Because I have a ceramic heat bulb I could also try, but it doesn't put out light. It's just, the day bulb gets way too hot with the humidity. Would lowering wattage help? I think it was a 100 or 75 watt bulb.

Lankyrob

01-31-11, 04:42 AM

I use ceramic bulbs for all my snakes - i am not aware that any snakes need to have light in their enclosures.

Sapphyr

01-31-11, 05:03 AM

I use ceramic bulbs for all my snakes - i am not aware that any snakes need to have light in their enclosures.

Mmk then~ I'll be sure to give it a try, see if I can get around 85 F. Thanks~

natedog

01-31-11, 08:31 AM

no they dont need the light. really the only purpose for the light is for viewing purposes.

as for keeping the humidity high......put the jungle earth or in my case i just use paper towels, and dampen it and put it in his hide. i just use a plastic container then you dont have to worry about keeping the entire cage high in humidity.

hope this helps

natedog

01-31-11, 08:33 AM

and def hook your heater to a thermostat. BRB are really easy to kill with the temps being to high.

luckylilstar529

01-31-11, 02:45 PM

I had a lot of problems with my BRB cage when I first got him. I use the jungle bed also, but I have moss in his hides and a little mixed throughout the bedding. He usually gets misted once or twice a day. I also have a plastic bag wrapped around one edge of the tank and a towel over that, and I got a thermostat so that I could keep the heat where I wanted it, and I use a 50 watt ceramic heat emitter. Since I got the thermostat, everything has stayed good in his cage.

Sapphyr

01-31-11, 03:42 PM

Ok then, so, when you say hooking it up to a thermostat, it makes me think as in hooking it up to yanno... Typical house thermostat but I'm sure you're talking something that can be purchased and plugged in, right? So, any links to good, reliable thermostats?

I did tell the breeder I planned on using, I think, Zoomed's adjustable fogger, and he said it was completely useless and only for looks... Now I personally think foggers -do- boost humidity, since I did buy one for an iguana I used to own and it worked wonderfully, I just think I ran the motor out. Though, this one is a completely different design, uses.. like a water container hooked into a plastic base upside down so the water flows into it and then it turns it into fog through a tube that goes into the cage top. Even though it seemed like a great thing... I didn't go for it because I want what's best for my snake and I don't want to endanger its health.

At any rate, since you're saying high temps are bad with these kinds, is 85 F, day temp, acceptable for them? As well as 80 F for night temp?

Lankyrob

01-31-11, 04:16 PM

If you sepwitch to ceramics WITH a thermostat then you can leave it running 24/7 and there would be no drop in temps overnight. All my snakes are kept constant temps.

luckylilstar529

01-31-11, 04:25 PM

I'm not getting a fogger until mine is in its adult enclosure, right now he's just in a 10 gallon so its not too hard to mist it and it stays humid for awhile. I have the zilla 500 watt temperature controller. it was about $35 at a reptile show and has given me great peace of mind. I have my thermostat set at around 83F or 85F on the hot side so his cool side stays 78F to 80F.

Sapphyr

01-31-11, 04:58 PM

Mmk then. I'll look into getting a thermostat.

marvelfreak

01-31-11, 06:57 PM

Sapphyr

02-01-11, 01:40 AM

You never said what kind of cage do you have your BRB in? I found with babies with high humidity requirement like Rainbow and Blood python they do really well in Totes. They help hold humidity, are cheaper and easily heated with a UTH = under tank heater and thermostat. Once they get about 9 months or older then you can move them to something else. I use Reptile Bark i only have to mist once every two days.:)

I'm using a 10 gallon tank. Never heard of a tote, but heard of rubbermaids, shoeboxes(?), etc. working well. I've switched bulbs 3 times, yes, I have alot of different heat bulbs. I've found one that keeps the heat at 83 - 85F. Only thing now is the humidity keeps dropping to 70%, but it does lack some moss and it could use live plants to up humidity.

I'd use an UTH but I heard that it can, at times, get so hot it cracks the glass.

natedog

02-01-11, 02:33 AM

a really easy fix for the hunidity or in your case in a 10 gallon with a screen lid is just to put a piece of moist paper towel in a tupperware just big enough for the snake, so he feels secure. this way you dont have to worry about sifting the mulch and what notm just every so often dampen the paper towel. my brbs are newspaper and they love in their hides. quick cheap n ez

Sapphyr

02-01-11, 04:15 AM

Well, I was having too many issues with the 10 gallon and moved him to the 20 gallon. The breeder said he would have been fine in it should I choose to put him there. I originally worried the space would stress him, but if the breeder said it was fine, and I did bring that up with him, then I guess it is.

My reasoning behind moving him was because, I also have a fly problem, and the 10 gallon tank top mesh was big enough to let them through and into the cage, even with the wet towel on top. The 20 gallon's top is woven tightly enough to prevent them from flying into it. I just don't think their presence is good for the snake's health. So, now I got the same ground set up, hidey spot on both sides, water dish in the middle and soaked bedding, but I got the day bulb on one side and the night bulb on the other so there's a cool side and warm side.

I will look into taking a tubberware container and putting a wet paper towel into it as well. Later this week I'll get a bag of moss and place some in the tubberware container.

Snakesitter

02-01-11, 07:15 PM

First, congratulations on your new pet! Wonderful choice…not that I’m, umm, biased or anything…. ;-)

You do not need a light, as Lankyrob noted. Brazilians in particular are both secretive and nocturnal by nature. Not a single one of my vivs has its own light; I just use a central room light on a computer timed to mimic a daily light cycle, including sunrise and sunset. In-viv lights are more for us than them. ;-)

Heat, as Natedog noted, can kill these snakes fast. Try to never go above 85, as that is where it gets lethal. Yes, low humidity is bad, but high temps are worse. I aim for a range of 72 low to 82 high in mine, which leaves me a good bit of “emergency” room in case temps somehow spike. As others have already noted, a thermostat is a must for this species. I use Herpstats (expensive) and a Ranco (cheaper but still not cheap), but there are other good and less costly options out there.

Humidity can be tricky. It sounds like you have a good substrate and hide. You can try adding a large, flat waterbowl, partly positioned in the heat to aid evaporation; reducing the air exchange with the room by mostly covering the top with a piece of plexiglass; and eliminating the heat bulb, as it can dry the air out (use undercage or radiant instead). Also, be careful of the towel trick: I’ve not experienced any issues, but have heard it is a fire risk.

I hope this helps, and again congrats on your new pet! Pictures, please?

Sapphyr

02-01-11, 08:17 PM

Oh, ok, so 80 is fine? Well that's good. I do know the towel trick is a fire hazard, but I'm home pretty much 24/7 on account of being unemployed. So, I'll save up money from what ever commissions I do get and get a thermostat.

Anywho, pics!

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Xybe%20and%20Expo%20pics/IMAG2157.jpg

He decided to hide in my pants leg.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Xybe%20and%20Expo%20pics/IMAG2167.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Xybe%20and%20Expo%20pics/IMAG2160.jpg

serpentshideawa

02-01-11, 09:01 PM

is that world of warcraft on the screen? and that is a gorgeous snake

natedog

02-01-11, 09:56 PM

pretty lookin snake you got there.

Sapphyr

02-02-11, 12:22 AM

is that world of warcraft on the screen? and that is a gorgeous snake

Heh, yeah... That is WoW, I'll admit, I'm a WoW addict.

Anywho, thankya both~ He is quite beautiful. Very tame personality too~

serpentshideawa

02-02-11, 12:24 AM

i love that game its helped kill lots of time lol nad stress as well

Ch^4

02-02-11, 01:33 AM

Great looking snake!

I just wanted to clarify something; the temperature spike in your cage was likely not due to increased humidity, it was due to lack of air circulation. Essentially, with no ventilation, the bulb kept heating the same air. That air could not escape at a fast enough rate. Thanks to the 2nd law of thermodynamics, the temperature of the stagnant air began to approach the temperature of the bulb, resulting in a temperature spike.

The extra humidity may have exacerbated the situation; humidity is a measure of water vapor in the air. The more water vapor in the air, the more light is scattered. The basking lamp is now more effective at heating up a larger area thus increasing the temp of more air. Albeit the contribution of humidity is negligible when compared to the lack of ventilation.

With a BRB, you really want to find a good balance of ventilation, temperature, and humidity. Snakesitter is the man to listen to. As you mentioned, the towel trick is a fire hazard, so be careful. It's amazing how fast a fire can spread in a home in the time it takes to shower.

Keep us updated! (Sorry for the rambling.)

Sapphyr

02-02-11, 02:51 AM

i love that game its helped kill lots of time lol nad stress as well

Yeah, was working on my 70 worgen druid~ Had just got her swift flight form after farming a crapton of elementium. Actually met my bf on there, looking to move in together in a few years. He's loving the BRB.

Anyways, the hot side's temp is 82 F right now, so cool side is probably 75 - 77 F right now. Though, the hot side looks dry on the glass and is at 70% humidity and the cool side is abundant with water droplets on the glass, so I'd guess the humidity is higher over there. Should I be concerned that there's uneven humidity or that the hot side is 70%?

Also, I'll look to replace the towel method soon. Though, the towel doesn't seem hot to the touch. If anything, it feels like it's not even heated...

Oh, also, how long can you hold your BRB for, at a time? I figured that since he has such humidity requirements and heat, it wouldn't be wise to have him out for more than an hour, and putting him back for atleast 3 or 5 hours before holding him again.

Snakesitter

02-02-11, 05:47 PM

One, wow, he’s great-looking little guy, Sapphyr! Just be careful he doesn't become addicted to WoW, too. ;-)

Two, Ch^4, *great* post! I would have been hard-pressed to even name a law....lol!

Don't worry about the humidity reading, as I suspect it's actually even throughout the tank. Remember, water condenses on cool surfaces, you you're probably just noticing the visual symptom rather than a true imbalance.

I've never tested the limits on holding, but I'd say your method is pretty safe. You are smart to think of his needs and give him frequent long breaks.

Good luck, and keep us posted--

Ch^4

02-02-11, 07:28 PM

Sapphyr

02-02-11, 10:57 PM

^^ Thanks! I geek out on occasion ;)

@Sapphyr: I typically hold my snakes every other day for 20-40 minutes each (depending on the snake--age, temperament, *snake's* comfort level, etc.). No handling for 48-72 hours after feeding.

If he's a relatively new addition, I'd try to limit holding to every other day. If you do hold him on a daily basis, 5-15 minutes is a good starting point (again, if he's a new addition...I don't remember what you said in the first post). Extended handling can lead to elevated stress and an unhappy snake--remember, snakes don't really have a good way of telling you they're stressed. They may hiss or bite, but they might not show any signs.

IMHO, start with short sessions and over the course of a few months, increase the length of handling. Hope that helps!

Mmk then~ I'll keep it in mind~

And thanks Sitter~ I don't know, he seemed pretty intrigued upon seeing it, stopping at the mouse pad before moving closer to it and getting on the screen. I'd swear he thought he could get in the game if he slithered into the screen. He was probably disappointed to find that's not the case.

Well, if I shouldn't worry too much about that percentage then I guess everything is stable for now. Thanks~

Sapphyr

02-03-11, 06:19 AM

Oh, by the way, should I be concerned if he just stops moving and stares? Like, he'll wrap around my hand or arm, then sit there and stare or look around. I do find it fascinating that he can move his pupils... 'cause I thought they couldn't... but yeah, just sits there and stares or looks around, doesn't even flick his tongue. It just irks me because my last snake wouldn't flick her tongue at all before she died from some kind of neurological issue. So, should I be concerned or is it just in my head?

He also had two whitish 'bumps' or scales on him and I've noticed he's accumulated more. Is he just adding up dead scales or some sort for a shed in the very near future or is this some sort of 'skin' condition I should looking at?

marvelfreak

02-03-11, 07:39 AM

Beautiful snake. Rubbermaid tubs or totes is what i was talking about. Could you post a picture of the bumps. Sound like water blister or retained shed. Pics Please.:)

Lankyrob

02-03-11, 01:54 PM

Whitish marks on the snake could be mite faeces, do they come of easy? Or are they "part of the snake"?

Sapphyr

02-03-11, 08:21 PM

Whitish marks on the snake could be mite faeces, do they come of easy? Or are they "part of the snake"?

They flake back when I gently run my nail against their edges but they don't detach. He's now accumulated a few lengthy patches of faded scales, so I can only guess he's about to shed.

Sapphyr

02-04-11, 03:11 AM

Also, here's a photo. This is before I'd touched them and before he'd accumulated more faded scales/bumps. Taken about 2 or 3 days ago.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Xybe%20and%20Expo%20pics/Picture1.png

Edit: Here's an update, just took it.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Xybe%20and%20Expo%20pics/Picture2.png

Looks like a shed to me. Right?

Lankyrob

02-04-11, 07:32 AM

From the pics i would say a shed - may be worth taking a good look at his enclosure and water bowl just to be sure that it isnt mites. If not let him shed and see what it looks like after,.

Snakesitter

02-04-11, 03:20 PM

And thanks Sitter~ I don't know, he seemed pretty intrigued upon seeing it, stopping at the mouse pad before moving closer to it and getting on the screen. I'd swear he thought he could get in the game if he slithered into the screen. He was probably disappointed to find that's not the case.

Cut to random WoW player at home, talking to a friend:

"Man, I don't get it. Every time we enter a dungeon, our Druid just leaves combat and follows the sewer rats....."

;-)

Snakesitter

02-04-11, 03:25 PM

On the white scales: it's diifficult to tell for sure with a small picture, but I for now I'd agree with Rob, especially as some of the white seems to follow the edges of the scales. Has his belly gone pinkish, out of curiosity? That'd be another sign a shed is close.

Also watch his humidity carefully, those levels are especially crucial going into shed.

Sapphyr

02-05-11, 07:28 AM

Ha! Sewer rats.. Speaking of rodents, he's successfully eaten for the first time. I'm so relieved I didn't have any trouble because I've read that sometimes a snake won't want to eat before a shed or when they've been put into a new home.

At any rate, yes, his belly is a little on the pink side, it was one of the first things I noticed when I brought him home. Also, I've bought moss, some vine decorations(which he loves to slither on), and a live plant. His humidity is now at 80%, but since he's supposedly shedding, I've put a small plastic tub in there with water and wetted moss inside. Has a little 'door' cut out so he can go in.

Snakesitter

02-07-11, 03:04 PM

Sounds like you're on top of everything, Sapphyr. Congrats on the feed, and kudos on equipping with a moist hide. By the way, the fact he ate is a good sign that the white areas are not a serious health issue. Fingers crossed it will disappear with his shed.

Sapphyr

02-08-11, 05:49 AM

Yey! Glad to hear everything checks out ok.~

I did, though, take pictures of his environment and took a video of him eating! You can also see him enjoying his humidity hide in the second picture.

YJvEK351yuA

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Xybe%20and%20Expo%20pics/IMAG2211.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Xybe%20and%20Expo%20pics/IMAG2217.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Xybe%20and%20Expo%20pics/IMAG2214.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Xybe%20and%20Expo%20pics/IMAG2212.jpg

Snakesitter

02-08-11, 04:37 PM

Cool video, thanks for sharing! The humid hide looks good, plastic containers like that work well for the purpose. What do you have it packed with?

Sapphyr

02-08-11, 04:43 PM

Cool video, thanks for sharing! The humid hide looks good, plastic containers like that work well for the purpose. What do you have it packed with?

I put a large chunk of moss in there, wetted it with warm water. Thinking maybe I should put wetted paper towel under the moss, but I'm not sure if it's necessary.

I've also switched the cave and the hide spot, since the hide spot's water eventually cooled and became cold since it was on the cool side.