Getting a BRB

[Gravelanche]

Hey, i really want to get a BRB within the next 3 or 4 months, i have experience with snakes in the past, have 2 healthy snakes currently and just fell in love with the breed at first sight.

i understand they take more in depth work into the enclosure due to humidity requirements, but other than that i dont know too much about this specific species, can anyone point me to a a good research source for someone just at this phase?

Also, i will be probably starting with a baby, yearling tops, what is the smallest STARTING cage i could concievably use. I will be upgrading to a 67 gallon enclosure like i have for my ball once she is large enough for it

[SnakeyJay]

First of all don't be upgrading to a tank if its a glass fish tank with a mesh/wire top... Now that that's out the way, I found when I had a neonate brb that it did well in either a viv or a rub with no wire top. However mats only really work well when your house doesn't get cold as heat mats do nothing for ambiant temperatures so bear that in mind.

I would go with a decent size rub or viv, say 2x2x2ft with a lot of ground cover (I'd say 80% covered). This stops you having to buy a few vivs close together. Keep the humidity higher for young brb's, 80-90% (they can tolerate slightly lower temps when older). A large soaking bowl and some spagnum moss help aith humidity. I use a gradient of 84-85 hot end, 73-75 cold end.

Young brb will readily climb if given the chance and its good exercise so if there's room provide a branch or 2. You may have an issue untangling them if you need to get him out while climbing but it's amazing to see them climb about. When young they're a little nippy but soon calm down.

Another thing is that they're quite a shy species in my experience so you usually won't see them in the day too often, but become quite active at night.

[Gravelanche]

1. i know about the mesh top issue, happy to make a custom lid if nescessary, but will probably invest in a custom made tank by then with a front opening door, it's easier to install neat stuff in there that way. was just meant as an example for the size i was planning

2. im cool with her being shy during the day, im a night owl anyways, have a kenyan sand boa and i love to watch her skitter around at 2am.

3. anyone know if these are useful/safe in an enclosure? Exo Terra : Waterfall / Natural Waterfall (http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/waterfall.php) seems like a good way to crank up the humidity, aside from the soak tank of course

[medicinhed]

Were you planning on a hatchling, juve, or adult? That and budget would determine what size and type of enclosure.

Too big a viv when little will freak them out. Little ones have less tolerance for temp and humidity fluctuations then adults. I have a sterile box to store sphagnum moss, extra subtrate mix, mister. Stuff for humidity. I also try and use multiple gauges in diff parts of the viv.

Also make a humid hidebox in addition to other ones. It's just a hidebox with misted moss, similar to what you would use during a BP shed cycle.

RE: waterfall. I like a fogger on a timer.

If you have a viv with a mesh top, cover the top with a towel, until the gauge is in the safe zone. I also do this at night.

[Gravelanche]

aiming for a juve. enclosure isnt big enough for an adult but i think it will be perfect for a juve or hatchling. im going to go to the expo in toronto in 2 weeks and see what is available then.

Going to be working on the enclosure until then. And as for the tub option, while im not opposed to this in the future when i have a few more this is going to be a displayed tank and not in a snake room or anything, so i'm going to sink the cash into making this one pretty.


Question, i know they love to soak, do they like it if the water is slightly warm? i was looking at undertank mats, i figured if i put the water dish on it a bit it might increase the evaporation a little bit and give the snake a nice warm aquatic hide

[medicinhed]

The water dish will get too warm. BRBs need to be able to soak, but I'd worry that he/she might get over heated. Make a moist hide. Put the soaking tray on the cool end. Increase humidity with sphagnum moss, misting, etc.

[Gravelanche]

The water dish will get too warm. BRBs need to be able to soak, but I'd worry that he/she might get over heated. Make a moist hide. Put the soaking tray on the cool end. Increase humidity with sphagnum moss, misting, etc.

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/860946_10151296118081239_1107515211_o.jpg

that is the first test of the tank, the hide is in the back right corner behind the branch, and i will be suspending more climbing stuff when i figure out a safe way to hang it.

the undertank heater will be along the back, away from the water as suggested, and if the humidity is still not enough i will be getting a fogger, though i do not expect that to be an issue, it's 60% right now without the heater to warm the substrate and the water tank is empty

[medicinhed]

I bury my hides. Since Rainbows don't climb as much as the soak, you could go deeper with the substrate.

BTW that's not a turd at 5 o'clock. just reflection off reptile bark.

[medicinhed]

I'm excited for you bro! I hope you find a gorgeous one. Did you find that you have any preferences regarding color phases or pattern variations? I.E. more red, or orange, bigger ocelli, linked dorsal circles, etc.

[Gravelanche]

I'm excited for you bro! I hope you find a gorgeous one. Did you find that you have any preferences regarding color phases or pattern variations? I.E. more red, or orange, bigger ocelli, linked dorsal circles, etc.

Honestly i havent seen one in person yet, my town doesnt have great selection, there is a PJ's pets express with an overzealous manager that has some neat stuff in, but thats it. I'm going to an expo in 2 weeks with hopefully about $500 in hand to pick up a few things and the BRB is top of the list. im hoping i find one there that will be love at first sight, if i dont theres a big al's in scarborough that has one in stock i might stop there.

also, the substrate is about 2 inches already, i could go deeper but i only had one brick of the stuff lying around (it came with the tank which i bought used with the accessories) i have seen some people suggest moss on top, do you reccomend it too? can you link to what im looking for

[medicinhed]

I use a mixture.

1. Reptile Bark
Zoo Med Repti Bark - Reptile - Sale - PetSmart (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752663)

2. Zoo Med Eco Earth. I get the fluffy one as I like to mix them dry.

3. Sphagnum Moss. I like sheets. I can cut them to suit, tear it, or wrap around branches. Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss Reptile Substrate - Earth - Substrate & Bedding - PetSmart (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3678493)

I mix 1 and 2. I vary the mix depending on which herp I am working with.

For BRBs: I use the loose type for the moist hide. I put the sheet under/around the soaking dish, or you will get too much loose water in your viv. You do have a dish deep enough for the rainbow to swim/soak in? Some bows even like to strike in the water.

[Corey209]

I use a mixture.

1. Reptile Bark
Zoo Med Repti Bark - Reptile - Sale - PetSmart (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752663)

2. Zoo Med Eco Earth. I get the fluffy one as I like to mix them dry.

3. Sphagnum Moss. I like sheets. I can cut them to suit, tear it, or wrap around branches. Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss Reptile Substrate - Earth - Substrate & Bedding - PetSmart (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3678493)

I mix 1 and 2. I vary the mix depending on which herp I am working with.

For BRBs: I use the loose type for the moist hide. I put the sheet under/around the soaking dish, or you will get too much loose water in your viv. You do have a dish deep enough for the rainbow to swim/soak in? Some bows even like to strike in the water.

I use something similar of Zilla jungle mix (Sphagnum moss and Fir) with Eco earth.

[medicinhed]

Nice! Even though its much more stable for the BRB to be tubbed. You can have good results with a display set up. They ARE meant to be looked at after all.

[Gravelanche]

if its a juve she should definitely be able to soak in the dish, its about 2.5 inches deep

[medicinhed]

Have you talked with some of the Rainbow breeders in this sub-forum? There's some bomb genetics right here. Stellar specimens.

[Gravelanche]

dont know what it is with snakes, but for the most part im not interested in morphs at all. im going to be just looking for a nice dark red thats about it.

[Snakesitter]

There is some wonderful advice in this thread, but I wanted to make a few observations as someone who keeps over twenty of these animals.

One, any size viv is fine for a small snake, even a large one…provided it is set up right. That means plenty of appropriately-sized hiding places. If snakes could not thrive in larger areas, they’d be extinct in the wild. ;-)

Two, temps should be run on a gradient of around 72F low end to 82F warm end. While the species can tolerate a few degrees warmer, running at those temps all the time leaves you no margin for error if something goes wrong. That is important, because temps over 85F can kill these animals if they cannot find an escape.

Three, humidity should be 90%+ for a baby, 80%+ for an adult. General viv levels can be lower than this if the humid hide hits those levels.

Four, it is fine to leave the water bowl on the warm side, and even helpful as it promotes evaporation.

Five, while items like deep substrate and waterfalls are cool, just remember you will have to clean everything in that tank from time to time. I know keepers who used to use deep substrate, but got tired of “treasure hunts” for missing poop…. ;-)

I hear you on the regulars holding more interest than the morphs. In rainbows that is especially true. Most of my breeding/planning focuses on normals.

Good luck, and please let me know if I can help further!

[ilovemypets1988]

i know u already have an enclosure but why dont u get 1 for a fully grown brb and just partition it off to the correct size and itll save spending more money later on, just a thought

[Gravelanche]

thanks great advice, i have scrapped the waterfall idea, as you said , cool but a lot of work. im not going to worry about warming the bowl so its a cooler area for her to regulate, i think the substrate will provide plenty and the hide will be 90% for sure

as for getting a larger one now, its a matter of budget. i already have the tank im using and all the supplies seen in it now, i just need to pick up the undertank heater and possibly the fogger.

i will have lots of time to save up before i get a big one or build one from scratch, then i can re-use this one

[Gravelanche]

had some time to kill so i called around to the vendors at the expo to see what they were asking for BRB's turns out i only found one that had them in stock so i put down a deposit on the spot.

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/75517_10151298789786239_1778172262_n.jpg

will be picking her up march 10th, now i need name suggestions, my snakes all have a kings/queens theme for names and this is a male

[Corey209]

had some time to kill so i called around to the vendors at the expo to see what they were asking for BRB's turns out i only found one that had them in stock so i put down a deposit on the spot.

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/75517_10151298789786239_1778172262_n.jpg

will be picking her up march 10th, now i need name suggestions, my snakes all have a kings/queens theme for names and this is a male

Ramses, he was an Egyptian pharaoh with red hair.

King Henry VIII also had red hair.

[ilovemypets1988]

henry after henry vIII

[Ms. Medusa]

Rewrite since I thought you said her...and its a boy...bleh! lol

[Ms. Medusa]

Harkin: Male Irish/Gaelic name meaning 'dark red'


Ruaidri- Means "red king" from Irish ruadh "red" combined with rí "king". This was the name of the last high king of Ireland, reigning in the 12th century.


Other forms of Ruaidri= Rory, Rorie, Ruaidrí, Ruairí, Roderick, Rory, Ruairi, Ruairidh, Ruaraidh, Ruaridh, Roddy, Rorie (Scottish)

[marvelfreak]

will be picking her up march 10th, now i need name suggestions, my snakes all have a kings/queens theme for names and this is a male
Nice looking BRB but is it a male or female?

[Ms. Medusa]

Nice looking BRB but is it a male or female?

hope its a male now since I trashed my girly girl suggestions! lol

[Gravelanche]

It's a male. Sorry all my other snakes have been female force of habit

[marvelfreak]

It's a male. Sorry all my other snakes have been female force of habit

No problem. How about Alexander the Great?

[medicinhed]

Gretzky - He was a King, for a while.

[Gravelanche]

I'm liking henry or Harkin so far

[Snakesitter]

Make sure you use an extra-long quarantine if you're buying from or through a show. It carries a much higher risk than a private breeder/private sale. I would also check their rep on Fauna's BOI.

[Gravelanche]

im not really getting it from a show, im getting it from a reputable store in toronto and i have some good references for it from friends. i could pick it up now if i had a ride to toronto. they just happen to be one of the vendors and it was the easiest time to pick him up.

I will definitely still be keeping a close eye on him for a while, but im not expecting any issues

[Snakesitter]

That makes total sense. Just make sure they keep him well separated. Good luck, and looking forward to picts!