Advice brb or bci

Millertime1485 · 10-05-15, 10:36 AM

Hey I'm finally looking to move on from the "beginner" snakes that most people recommend and looking to increase my collection. What would you guys consider to be a better step in the next direction (brb or bci). I always hear people talking about the brb humidity and how difficult it is.. Really just sounds like cypress mulch and pvp caging and your fine but that's just me. On the other hand I only hear great things about the bci and the only complaint is the possible size. I also have 3 kids, two of which are 5 and 3 if that makes a difference at all.

Wingbeats · 10-05-15, 02:38 PM

Indeed, I'd actually say BRBs are quite simple if you just get their enclosure right. Plastic tub or PVC cage? Keeping the humidity you need is easy-peasy, and then a humid hide prevents any other possible problems. I get my humidity up no problem by just setting a water bowl on top of the UTH in the tub. No additional effort needed for me. You only run into issues if you try to keep a BRB in a glass tank with a mesh top or something.

Just plan ahead for their tropical needs and it should all be good.

Otherwise, BRBs are good eaters, very calm with regular handling, don't require high temperatures (a plus for me) and are a beautiful snake to behold in real life.

I don't know anything about BCIs though.

trailblazer295 · 10-05-15, 03:00 PM

It depends a bit on what you'd like to have looks wise, what you're comfortable with. Other then size BCI are often said as good beginner snake in the sense they aren't complicated housing and good temperament. If you'd like a BCI you could look for a small locale or find a reputable breeder so you'll have a good idea what you'd end up with as an adult. I am happy with my recent BCI purchase, I know his parents are approx 5.5' and 6.5' but also I don't have kids so that's not on my list of concerns. BRBs have some cool colours but different caging, in some areas high humidity can be more of an issue centreal heating dries your air also living in hot dry areas has the same problem.

**Minkness** · 10-05-15, 04:25 PM

If soze is an issue with a BCI, you could look into hig island boas. I have no personal experience owning one but have interacted. The temperament was wonderful, still a heafty snake but smaller than a BVI or BCC. Also, if you like hypos or salmon colors on boas, those are standard for hig islands and their 'red' tail is a lovely shade of what Iblike to call 'sweet potato pie' lol.

Millertime1485 · 10-05-15, 05:01 PM

Appreciate the responses thus far.

I'd say size isn't an issue on my end I'm just covering my bases. I've actually thought about hog islands before too but I have a friend who's hog is pushing 7'. I know they have a reputation for being smaller but I'd have to be aware that it may not be as small as some advertise. That being said I have no intention of power feeding or anything like that.

Really like the looks of the sunglows I should see about the hog morphs so good suggestion.

Sasha2 · 10-05-15, 07:29 PM

Brb will hide all the time but they are super cool looking and mellow(at least mine was). I sold mine and got a carpet python instead simply because I wanted a snake Id see more often. Bci are pretty awesome too, they are my favorite, they tend to be out and about more and very mellow(except at feeding time). If your worried about size just get a male they are smaller if you dont overfeed.
Its more about what you want. Either way get a lock the kids cant open,lol.

bigsnakegirl785 · 10-05-15, 09:22 PM

My BRB is actually out quite a lot. He used to come out during the day and sleep out in the open on his vine. Nowadays he mostly stays hidden during the day, but he may stretch his head out of a hide a little. Still climbs a lot, but he's still a tiny guy. Seems to be the exception, but hey, it's possible to have one like that at least. :P

As others said, if you make it easy on yourself and get PVC, or a tub, you shouldn't encounter problems offering high enough humidity. Their temp needs are low, which is awesome. They are also so beautiful in sunlight, and it gets better the darker the individual is.

BCI are honestly my favorite of the two. I like the size of the bigger ones, and they're quite beautiful as well, there's such an incredibly huge variety, even with wild types. Males can easily get as big or bigger than a female, even without overfeeding them, especially if you don't breed them. Males do also grow a bit more rapidly then females, overall, but it's not always the case. They require decently high humidity, in the 70-80% range if you make the whole enclosure meet their humidity needs, or 60% with a humid hide. I've seen no vertical stripes (dented scales in a line up their side) on my BCI since I started keeping his humidity up, even though he lives in his hides. It's when the humidity drops they start appearing.

I suggest BCI but that's my bias talking....I like both though so I don't think you'd go wrong with either one.

Snakesitter · 10-06-15, 06:42 PM

Both make excellent pets. Admittedly, however, I'm biased towards rainbows. ;-)

While rainbows do have some strict needs regarding temps and humidity, once those are met they are pretty much bulletproof. On the flip side, they are gorgeous (one of the prettiest snakes in the world), stay a manageable size (a plus both for safety and saves *tons* of money on feeding), and are extremely interactive when held.

Oh, did I mention their looks? ;-)

BCIs are fine animals too, but nothing beats a living jewel.