Rainbow boas good 2nd snake?

VI Reptiles · 12-16-04, 11:54 PM

Hi, I am just wondering if a rainbow boa would be a good second snake. I have had a bp for 11 months and Im having fun with it but I just want more! What I wanted to know though is what I would keep it in when its an adult. Is newspaper good for substrate? How do you keep the humidity up with newspaper? Whats the best way to heat the enclosure. How big of a bin would I need for a 5 ft rainbow boa. Whats the biggest meal they can eat? Are they good first time breeders?

Thanks

dr greenlove · 12-17-04, 01:44 PM

I would say that Rainbows make good second snakes...they are very nice animals indeed.

As to your questions, if you haven't already read the "Sticky" thread up top then i would do so, it answers most/all of your questions.

Also bear in mind that i am no expert, but i speak from the limited experience of what i have done with my BRB.

1/Keep an adult in what you would keep a baby in...just bigger, just make sure that its humidity resistant.

2/Newspaper is what i use, not the most pretty of substrates...but the most practicle.

3/Humidty levels shouldn't really be a problem...with the correct levels of ventilation a light spray every day or two should be fine...you could always include a container with moist sphagnum moss in for extra humdity. Just make sure that you do a "dry run" for a week or so before you get the animal.

Make absolutely sure you know how that cage works.

4/Heating would be a contentious issue. From my own experience BRBs hate light, i originally used a lightbulb setup...which worked fine from a practicle point of veiw. But it was only when i switched to a heat mat that i started to actually see the snake.

Actually the "seeing" the snake is about the only negative aspect to the species...very nocturnal. They are not a good "display" animal, shame as they are one the finest coloured snakes.

5/What size bin? To be honest i am not sure what you mean.

6/Size of meal...that is of course entirely dependent on the size of the snake.

But, relatively speaking, they can pack away huge food items.

7/As to breeding i haven't a clue.

Hope that helps a little.

Vengeance · 12-17-04, 02:01 PM

For you VI I would have to say no, a Rainbow Boa isn't a good idea. Get your Ball python setup properly, get him back to good health, get rid of the Scale Rot/Thermal Burn on his belly and then think about getting a second snake. You should be focusing more on your current snake considering the bad shape it's in instead of worrying about what snake to get next.

VI Reptiles · 12-17-04, 04:41 PM

First - I am having the snake looked at today and that should clear up the confusion. Im not thinking of today or tommowrow im more thinking in a month or even a year! Just trying to figure it out.

Second - A guy cant ask questions?

Third - Well..... there is no third..

Thanks

SnakeyeZ · 01-02-05, 02:22 PM

I would hafta agree with Vengence, not as easy to keep as ball pythons, and if your having troubles with that, maybe take a second to read up, and you'll do fine!

RiCh

BoidKeeper · 01-02-05, 03:15 PM

I would also sugest you hold off on a rainbow boa. Maybe you should look at Rosy boas or sand boas or even children and spotted pythons. All those would make a great second snake for you. Brazilians can be nasty and need the right cage.
Cheers,
Trevor

Jeff_Favelle · 01-02-05, 03:46 PM

I agree. And I even SELL Rainbows. Go with a Rosie, a Kenyan, or maybe even an Antaresia. But I would say Rainbows are a few years away for you. But there's still lots of cool snakes to own and enjoy!

VI Reptiles · 01-04-05, 10:16 PM

Thanks, I will pick up a pair of rosy boas for I think it was $300. I have heard rosies are VERY hard to breed. I might buy a spotted if so.

Bartman · 01-04-05, 11:26 PM

Hey man, I’ve been in your shoes once. Well sort of. I used to just want so much in such a short time span that sometimes id screw up the housing or not even have it ready. I’ve slowly understood that it is crucial to take this hobby slow. Don’t think about breeding now, don’t think about snakes now really, but think about getting your ball python to 100 percent health with a 100 percent working tank. Until then id personally hold off on anything new. I’m assuming you're somewhere near my age, so if so, you've got plenty of time buddy. There is absolutely no need to rush. Don’t just get something for the heck of getting it. I’ve also made these mistakes as well. Read up on TONS of stuff and read TONS of books and then decide what really catches your eye and then see if you are prepared to care for it properly.

Just my $0.02

Matt_K · 01-04-05, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Im not thinking of today or tommowrow im more thinking in a month or even a year! Just trying to figure it out.

Interesting.. Considering you have a thread up in the Wanted section of the Classifieds for Rosies and Kenyans..

Quote:

Thanks, I will pick up a pair of rosy boas for I think it was $300. I have heard rosies are VERY hard to breed. I might buy a spotted if so.

Shows where your priorities are..

I too think you need to get the situation with your Ball Python worked out before you run out and spend all this money on other animals that you don't seem ready for...

-Matt

CHRISANDBOIDS14 · 01-04-05, 11:51 PM

Agreed with Matt 100%.

C.

VI Reptiles · 01-05-05, 05:21 PM

Thanks for your replies,

Bartman, I will slow down and forget about everything else but this ball python!

Matt, I think it was the DUMBEST idea to buy a ball python. You need to have all this humidity and everything HAS to be perfect! Im really really wondering why everybody thinks these are the easiest snakes. geese. If I knew how easy sandboas and rosies are too keep I would have bought them instead. I feel like I made a huge mistake buying a ball python ever.

I have my priorities set straight now, no more reptiles till this is fixed!

marisa · 01-05-05, 05:26 PM

VI if you find ball pythons hard to take care of you are in for a real awakening.

Ball Pythons ARE the easiest snakes to keep aside from cornsnakes and probably rosy boas. If you cannot succesfully keep them, then I am afriad you should stay away from other boids as well. it's simple! 90-95 hot spot. 78-82 cool side. Humidity 60-80% depending on shed and condition. Food once per week. Done. That's ALL ball pythons take care wise.

Colubrid snakes might be easier for you for now. They require very little humidity and lower temps in most cases.

Marisa

Matt_K · 01-05-05, 05:31 PM

LOL, if you find Ball Pythons soo hard to care for, you really have NO reason to be asking about BRB's or other Rainbows..

Im glad you've decided to get the Ball Python situation worked out before you move on to another herp though.. IN the end, it will prove to be the most rewarding decision.. In the meantime, READ as much as you possibly can about whatever species interests you and you can also start to get an enclosure set up, this way you'll be able to assure your herp and yourself that you have the proper conditions..

HeatherRose · 01-05-05, 05:32 PM

Besides agreeing with Matt 100%,

Quote:

and everything HAS to be perfect!

Isn't this what you should strive for in all the particulars related to your animals?

If you think 60% is 'all this humidity' and that's hard for you to maintain...what about the 75-85% for a Rainbow Boa? Ball pythons are a bit more forgiving of these husbandry mistakes, but not rainbows.