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Ginger24
Snake mite
4 Posts |
 Posted - 07/08/2011 : 21:13:34
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I just bought my first baby BRB and really boa of any kind yesterday and I just want some help with her enclosure.
I was told that moss is a good substrate for the entire tank.
My temps throught the tank are 75F and under the warm hide are 85F
The entire substrate is Exo-Terra "Forest moss" (kinda smells)
Humidity is 75
There is a water bowl.
Is this good? are there any red flags? anything I left out? thanks!
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CDN_Blood
Rainbow oddball
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2011 : 03:21:18
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Congratulations on your first Rainbow 
I'm sure it's loving the moss, but it's not the easiest thing to keep clean, as you may have already noticed by now.
The whole substrate thing often boils down to a matter of personal choice, with very few substrate options being bad choices. I personally would never keep a tropical snake on something like shavings, and have a personal preference for newspaper or 'plantation soil' type affair depending on the snake.
Most of my larger snakes are on newspaper as it's very sterile, easy to swap-out when it's dirty, and very easy to obtain anywhere, but I do keep some on coco husk or plantation soil if they're smaller animals which are easy to clean, if they display a dislike for the paper, or are more arboreal individuals which never touch the floor of their enclosure.
The temperatures sound okay, just be careful if it spends all it's time under the hide in the higher temperature end. You may want to consider putting the hide in the middle and seeing if it has a preference for one side or the other. Snakes will often use a hide regardless of whether or not it's conducive to their health just because they like places that make them feel secure, so care must be taken with that. Just keep an eye on it and see what it does naturally. |
TODD
25 Years of Commitment and Responsibility in Private Herpetoculture |
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Ginger24
Snake mite
4 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2011 : 08:32:10
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Well there are two hides in the tank. one is over the hot side and the other is over the cool side.
So it does have another hide. and ive seen it go over there before so I think im ok with that.
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2011 : 20:37:03
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Sounds like you are OK on hides then, Ginger.
On another note, in order to optimize the tank, I would lower the hot side by two degrees (temps of 85F+ can kill these snakes), and raise the humidity by a few percent.
Also, is the water bowl large enough that the animal can soak its entire body, should it want to?
Otherwise it all sounds good! Congrats on your new friend!! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Ginger24
Snake mite
4 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2011 : 22:09:13
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Ok ill lower the temps on the warm side.
And humidity is at 80
And yes the water bowl is large enough for soaking.
I have now added cypress mulch to the moss and mixed it.
SO the substrate is now a mix of mulch and moss.
I then added some leaf litter on top of that and then put in a piece of wood for the snake to climb on.
Does that all sound ok?
Here is a picture.
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2011 : 22:34:42
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| The picture is not displaying, but your description sounds fine overall. Sorry for the humidity confusion, I thought you said 75% above -- 80% is better. Good job! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Ginger24
Snake mite
4 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2011 : 22:37:19
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I did say 75. It was that at the time, but now It seems to be at 80 so I guess it just didnt read fully yet.
If you click on the picture It should work |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2011 : 19:13:27
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| Ah, so it does. Looks fine to me, though as she grows you'll want to reconsider the wires in the viv, which to her will be climbing tools. Good luck! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Rainbow Boa enclosure help
