Questions about the Brazilian Rainbow Boa - Page 2

Rose97 · 03-02-05, 11:49 PM

Hi everyone. I just thought of something. As you all know i'm planing on buying my BRB in september. But right now i own two cats(Lynx-my oldest, Cougar- my youngest). What i was wondering was if anyone had any ideas on how i should handle my cats around my snake. Because i really don't want to get rid of them, they have come to mean alot to me. My plan is when my BRB is out is to put my cats in a different room or outside. I'd be a fool to believe that they'd never meet. I just hope that when they do nothing bad happens. Does anyone know what kind of plants that BRB's like to climb on? I want to get a few tall but strong plant's or small tree's that my BRB can climb on when i have it out of its rubbermaid. Or is it wise to let it out of its rubbermaid because it might get sick. But if it is safe how long can it stay out for befor i should get it back in its rubbermaid? How often should i take my BRB out of its rubbermaid? How big an area can i let it roam around in, a room or the whole house? Should i set up a heat source for it when its out? I'll have a water dish out for it to. Thank you all for being so helpful.

Rose

gargoyle · 03-03-05, 09:01 AM

I wouldn't recomend allowing the snake to roam free! Bad idea, there is always a high risk of injury to the snake in that case! Never allow the cats and snake to come into direct contact with each other. Handling should only be done when you can devote 100% attention to the snake (s). They are not like a cat or dog where they must have a daily exercise time, in the wild most of the boa species sit and hide for days on end waiting for food to come by! No handling should be done for a minimum of 24hrs (48 preferably) after feeding so that there is no chance of regurge! My BRB's and other similar boas don't climb much at all! Remember these are definitely "HANDS ON" animals! Handling when they are young will prove to be difficult as most are very nippy till they hit about three-four feet! Hope this helps, just my experience, and limited at that on this particular species, but handling guidlines apply to all snakes.

HeatherRose · 03-03-05, 10:38 AM

Hey Rose

If you want to take it out when it's a baby, I would definitley hold it. They're so small and sneaky at that age that if you turn your back for a second they'll have disappeared under something. With my larger snakes, once in a while I'll allow them to roam around on the floor, but I'm always sitting there watching them. All individual snakes are different, you'll soon learn what kind of handling your BRB can tolerate.

I try to keep handling to a minimum with my rainbows, I probably work with them for no more than 30-45 minutes each in a week. I want them to become handleable adults, and that's why I handle them. My rainbows don't do much other than wrap around my hands tightly. Other snakes, like my ball python are better to have out and sit with.

As for my kitty, when the snakes are out she's not in the room. On the rare occasion when she's seen a snake, she hasn't really noticed them. I would just kick all of your other animals out of the room when you've got a snake out. If you're going with a rubbermaid, there's no worrying about a cat getting into them as well. There's no need to get rid of them at all. I know that if it came down to my cat or my snakes, I know that both the snakes AND myself would be the ones going

Rose97 · 03-03-05, 11:20 AM

Thanks guys, your answers made me feel whole lot better. What i was wondering now is can you buy clear plastic rubbermaid containers or do you have to order them from somewhere? I haven't had a chance to go any where, i just came down with a cold. So i've been on the enternet learing all i can about my future BRB. What i've been looking for is pictures of actual BRB's rubbermaid setups and i've foud nothing, but thats okay i've had fun reading what i did find.lol

Does anyone have any pictures i can look at? I've told a few people what i was going to name him(i'm getting a male by the way) and i'm going to call him Baby. I'm getting the smaller of the species(i hope.lol

), because it seems to be kepting my boyfriends daughter calm and more easier to convince that she doen't have to run and hide if she bumps into Baby on a one on one situation. I love this girl she so awesome, she said when Baby starts to get big(for his breed anyway lol

) that she would put her fear of snakes a side and help me with him when ever i need it. As long as she doesn't have to touch him under normal circumstances, she's cool with him. But she said if he starts to constrict around my hand she'll touch him them, then she'll run for her life after he's off. lol

. Like i said befor i love this girl, she's going to face her fears so that way she can be around Baby, i'm very proud of her. Shes even read some of the information i have saved about BRB's and her favourite part is the fact is it only going to get seven long thats also her dads favourite part to.lol

But my boyfriend is going tobe a little more hands on, in helping me setup my rubbermaid,but not Baby inless he has to. Thanks for everything hope to hear from you guys soon.

Rose

HeatherRose · 03-03-05, 12:00 PM

I think I'm on this site too much

It's better than school at least.

My sister is afraid of my snakes so I know where you're coming from. I'm sure if she holds a little baby rainbow (if it's not nippy) she'll love them

In my experience my rainbows have only bitten when they've been taken out of the cage (or if I smell like rats...this only happened once

). Once they're out they seem fine.

I took these yesterday, they're of one of my neonate rainbow enclosures.

Inside, and outside. I'm sure if I took off the rubbermaid label it would look better. But IMO it can look just as nice as a tank set up if you get the right kind. This rubbermaid was something like 8-12$ at Walmart. They're super cheap and available at any hardware store or store like Walmart. Mine have snap-shut handles so the lid stays on. Just drill a few holes and you're ready to go.

Rose97 · 03-03-05, 12:13 PM

Thanks HeatherRose it looks great, i like your Snake to. How many snakes do you have?

HeatherRose · 03-03-05, 12:24 PM

I only have 5..for now... :medcomcic

Rose97 · 03-03-05, 11:03 PM

Yeah only...lol

Lets see i know you have at least two BRB's, Guyuna, a Ball Python so whats the fifth one HeatherRose? :thumbsup:
Yeah i can see myself down the road a couple of years from now, i'll probaly have 4 plus snakes then too.

How big do Ball Pythons get and are they a good second snake to own? How big is your Ball Python? Does he/she have name? Whats your other snakes names?

Rose

HeatherRose · 03-05-05, 09:15 PM

She's a Venezualen rainbow

My ball python is about 3 feet, approx. 1.5 years old and named Quentin...

He's the perfect pet, but I know some ball pythons can be very picky feeders and can even fast for long periods of time.

I lucked out with mine