Some general questions about BRB's

daddy and son · 08-21-12, 08:45 PM

My son and I are looking at getting a BRB this year. We had started to do it last year but got a couple of corns instead. They're a little easier and gave us some good experience with snakes. Those two are a year old now and thriving so we're ready to add to the family. I have a few general questions about BRB's for anyone familiar with them.
In doing my research, I've read that they can be snappy as babies. Would we perhaps be better getting a yearling? Do older ones snap until they get used to the individual or once they get used to people pretty much stop altogether? My son is 8 and is very good at handling the corns we have, thinking a yearling BRB that is used to being held might be the way to go. Idea? Opinions?

snake man12 · 08-21-12, 10:36 PM

I wouldn't recommend brbs for an 8yr old as you only have experience with corns. They have high humidity requirements and can be nippy as yearlings but they do calm down. I would suggest you look into ball pythons.

Strutter769 · 08-21-12, 11:02 PM

I have to agree with Zach. Rainbow Boas are beautiful, but do require a higher level of care than other species and don't really make a good first snake. I agree with starting with a corn snake for example.

Whichever you choose, you're in the right place for advice and to get answers to your questions (some of which may actually be correct!)

Good luck and keep us posted!

iBaman · 08-21-12, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strutter769

I have to agree with Zach. Rainbow Boas are beautiful, but do require a higher level of care than other species and don't really make a good first snake. I agree with starting with a corn snake for example.

Whichever you choose, you're in the right place for advice and to get answers to your questions (some of which may actually be correct!)

Good luck and keep us posted!

he's already got two corns

Strutter769 · 08-21-12, 11:18 PM

Great! Then my advice worked!!

Jk

I apologize, I obviously didn't read very thoroughly.

iBaman · 08-21-12, 11:21 PM

Lmao, it's ok. So they MIGHT be ready for a BRB, since they've had corns for about 2 years? or should they still build up to them?

MrBD1980 · 08-22-12, 07:18 AM

I would advise that if your looking to get a brb then a slightly older may be less nippy although if you buy through a breeder then you will be able to see how the individual snake behaves.

My 2cents would be that as there is slightly more care needed re humidity and heat for a brb over a corn that you would be wise to see if you can set a viv up ready and make sure you understand how to maintain the right conditions for a month *before* you make a purchase.

Not trying to dissuade you at all as I think with good commitment and a good attitude then you will enjoy having a brb! One possible consideration may be that for an 8 yr old a BRB may be slightly too secretive for them to maintain an interest, they really don't get seen out and about often. Just something to consider!

Brian

daddy and son · 08-22-12, 10:46 AM

Yeah, we've had the corns for a year so Daniel is familiar with handling them and such. He generally takes them out for about 15 minutes at a time once or twice a day, the rest of the time they like to stay hid in their hides or burrow into their substrate.
As for the humidity, I've pretty well got that one whipped. I used an idea we use at work for oxygen humidification. I took the air pump from when that was a fish tank, ran the tubing into the bottom of a 5 gallon jug of distilled water. I ran another tube from the lid of the jug to the tank (carries the humidified air). The top is plexiglass with a dozen 1/8in holes drilled at the opposite end. The humidified air enters through the far left end of the tank and the holes at the far right allow ventilation and air flow without loosing too much humidity. After three days of testing, I've maintained a constant 80% humidity at 85-90 degrees. I think I have the environment pretty well set up. If I start seeing the humidity getting too high or something, I could always put the pump on a timer.
As for Daniel, he's really good with handling the corns, very gentle. Basically just lets them move around on him, crawl up his arm and such. He only gets them under supervision of my wife or myself. He's a really sharp kid and loves science.

snake man12 · 08-22-12, 10:53 AM

If you do get a brb supervise all handling!

Tekpc007 · 08-22-12, 10:57 AM

My juvi BRB is in a 110 quart tub with holes in the top only , no screen top with lots of flukers leaf/vines and a LED light on 12 hour timer , he will stay in the tub till he hits 42 inches then he will go to a nice 4x2x2 setup. He does like to climb around at night some times but i rarley seem him do this. I keep him at 73 cool / 82 warm with 77 ambeint. Humidity is at 90% all the time , only have to spray every 48 hours or so with using a tub. I use Cypress mulch only and 2 normal dry hides and 2 moss filled hides i keep moist. Most of the time he spends buried in the moss . He does come out about every 3 days at night to drink and cruise the tub , I feed him on 7 day cycle but he will not yet take FT so he gets fresh killed mice or rat (still trying to get him on rats but its 1 outta 5 or so now though he has taking a FT if i used a blow dryer on it but not often, they can be fussy feeders. Baby/Juvi brbs like it cooler with higher humidity than most care sheets list, mine rarely goes to the warm side and I never let it get below 80% humididty and he seems to prefer the cool side. they do rarley show themselves , i do welfare checks every 2 or 3 days . Water is a every day change as it can get funky fast in that enviroment. I do full change of moss and cypress monthly with total tub disinfection at the same time. I do take him out about once a week for 30 minutes for exercise and observation of health, cant have them out too long as he can overheat being handled or get too dry . He is super healthy and doing great so I must be doing it right

. they can be nippy , mine was for a good while until he got used to me and my smell and now he never bites unless i grab him too fast.
pre shed

after shed , he is about 9 months old and 95 grams about 28 inches.

his tub , you can see the dry hide (black) and the moss hide (tupperware) and i have added more leafy vines now also so its even more dense. I use a flukers 11x11 UTH rated for plastic tubs under the moss hide with a hydrofarm thermostat .

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MoreliAddict · 08-22-12, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snake man12

I wouldn't recommend brbs for an 8yr old as you only have experience with corns. They have high humidity requirements and can be nippy as yearlings but they do calm down. I would suggest you look into ball pythons.

Ball pythons have high humidity requirements too.

Seriously, go with whatever you two like...

Wildside · 08-22-12, 11:20 AM

I think you two would do just fine with a rainbow boa. Just know that that snake may very well turn you into an addict. Soon you'll have 5 brb's, 12 Corns, 4 BP's and be looking to start into RTB's. You'll be building rack systems, purchasing miles of heat tape, buying stock in sterilite and stuffing snakes in each other's stockings at Christmas. Eventually you may even start to contemplate getting a lizard or 7. Don't say I didn't warn ya

snake man12 · 08-22-12, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreliAddict

Ball pythons have high humidity requirements too.

Seriously, go with whatever you two like...

A ball python doesn't need a constant humidity of 90%

rmfsnakes32 · 08-22-12, 12:01 PM

Wildside boy did you say that right I started with one now I have 8 and am planning on getting 2 more next month lol time to start building racks running out of places to put tanks lol

Tekpc007 · 08-22-12, 12:06 PM

keep in mind you will rarley see the BRB , they are nocturnal . Handling them every day just to handle it isnt a good idea for BRB's . If you want some thing that can be handled often by a young son , I would go for a corn snake or a hog island boa .