My first rainbow am I doing it right?

[Syst3m]

Ok, I've purchased a brazilian rainbow boa. I've got it in a 10 gallon tank atm Until it reaches a larger size. The snake is currently about 20 " long and about 3/4 of an inch thick.

Currently in Construction is a 36x24x24 cage for her permanent habitat.


right now in the 10 gallon I have a 88f surface temp over the heat pad on the warm side inside the hide between the sphagnum and the substrate. on top of the sphagnum where the snake likes to rest I have a 80f surface temp. The Sphagnum is heavily moistened as is the Substrate Material (Coconut bark or Eco earth) its not floating or anything but its not dry by any means. On the basking spot near the lamp on top of the cage I get a 85f temp and 80 on the lower ones on the warm side.

On the cool side of the cage there is another hide that runs about 76f through the whole area below and above the Sphagnum inside it. surface temps are about 74 on the ground and about 80 on the perches.

Right now I think the heat ranges are good. I'm going to get some plans drawn up for my new tank and build right away So She can be in a larger cage (should take less then 2 weeks).

Oh Humidity is about 85% in the cage
I beleive it is higher inside of the hides due to the moist sphagnum and semi enclosed area. And she has a water bowl that she can completly soak herself in.

so far the snake seems good but its only been a full day since I got her.


In the large cage I'm going to build a misting system in so I can make rain too. But thats a post for another forum.


Let me know if there is something I should be doing and maybe if there is something I have left out or I should pay attention to.

Thanks for being so helpful and responsive ladies and gents.
You guys are one of the best herp sites I have visited.

[SilverTongue]

absolutly ALL WRONG now mail your Rainbow to me till I think you can get it right!

[Syst3m]

NEVER!!!

[SilverTongue]

hehehe Well it was worth a try.....Gratzz on the rainbow treat it well....dang I want one soo bad!!

[Syst3m]

Well If I can make sure I'm doing this right I will be more confident
I have other questions as well. Like how wet can I keep the substrate (eco earth/bed a beast/Coconut husk) I've heard of some people keeping it almost swamp like? If thats where these snakes live a swamp area I would like to make his future habitat a wet land I'd even be willing to build a larger cage just so I can terra form.

[sophia]

Ya crack us up Silver.... ROFL


Jon & Tay

[Syst3m]

Well, I've been hearing this swampy thing more and more.
there is a sufficient water dish for the snake and the substrate is soaked fully with moisture but its not quite swamp like. Yet. I'm going to gradually increase the level of moisture over the next couple days to bring the floor to a higher moisture level

I think I'm going to build myself a drip mechanism to help facilitate that

[Jeff_Favelle]

Best thing for Rainbows is 90-100% humidity with a dry floor, or at least a dry hide box. They like the humidity, but they don't need to live in water. If they want water, let them soak in a water dish. Let them decide!! They know better than you do. Have hide boxes on the cool end and have hide boxes on the warm end. Have a water dish on the cool side and a water dish on the warm side. Easy man. They are SUPER-HARDY animals!! if you follow the simple rules, they are bullet-proof. Honestly!

[Syst3m]

And it has several dry places in the cage and moist places.
My only next step for this temp cage is some perches. besides the Ledges glued to the wall. I want some branch like structures.

I'm just paranoid.

[Kurzix]

No Doubt you are paranoid. BRB are not that hard to keep, you have the temps right, and the humidity right...thats the main thing, even if the air humidity isn;t high enough thats what the hide box is for. Fill that puppy with sphagnum (which I watched you do already) and you are good.

I do like that rubbermade hide box idea, altho i am gunna mod it slightly...I am going to one of those rectangle boxes and divide in half, one side will have sphagnum, and the other will not, and one box at each end of the tank I think will the snake the utmost choice in where it wants to be.

I;d say 70-80% overall cage humidity is plenty again due to those hide boxes. You're doing just fine with that lil beauty so relax and enjoy.

[Syst3m]

I was thinking about doing that with mine too to try and maximize my space. I'm also thinking about building a shoebox rack with flexwatt and the likes to keep both of my snakes in and free up some room while I make the cages and finish work on dividing the tall one.

And I'm still going to be nervous. I'm still nervous with my corn snake. Just not as much as I see that she is growing and maturing fairly regularly. I'm going to cut way back on her feeding and see if I can get her to excercise more.

I'm going to start breeding mice too I'd better get a start on it or it will be too late soon.

Remember that BRB especially neonates never want the temps over about 85F, over 90F for long periods can lead to death. Thats why I don't keep them here.

[Jeff_Favelle]

And you'll usually be warned about higher temps (between 85-90F) with a regurge. Be careful. Its easy though. Just watch your snake. They give you clues about their well-being every day.

[SilverTongue]

post some pics will ya

[Syst3m]

I've already posted them somewhere.
I thought it was in this forum