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Helsbels
Snake mite
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
 Posted - 05/02/2012 : 07:56:25
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Hello everyone, first off, this is a great forum and has been extremely helpful. I have the opportunity to own a baby BRB. I have only owned Corn snakes and my boyfriend has had Royals. I think BRB's are very beautiful, but I do not want to take on the responsibility without being 100% sure that I can provide the right environment for the BRB. I must admit I am a little nervous about the prospect and I have a few questions I wanted to ask. I would like as much advice as possible because it would help me to understand if I can provide a happy home for the next 20 years or so!!
First question: I have 2 Corn Snakes who are juveniles and live in small terrariums at the moment as they are not big enough for full sized vivs. When the BRB is fully grown, would it be ok to keep the 3 snakes in a 3 tier Vivexotic Stack, but plexiglass waterproof the BRB's tier? I really liked how the guy on this forum did that. Is the VX36 ok for a fully grown BRB?
Next question: When the BRB is in a fully sized viv, how often do you need to spray to keep humidity up? Is it best just to use a water spray or get one of those fancy humidifiers?
Next question: When keeping the baby snake in a RUB, how many holes should I put in the box to ensure that it does not have too much air coming in and lose the humidity?
Next question: which are larger, males or females when fully grown? Is it typical for BRB's to get to 6 ft or on average are they nearer 5ft?
Last question (phew!) I am a little nervous about getting bitten and pulling away as an impulse reaction. I don't want to hurt the snake, but it sounds like the baby BRBs are very nippy, and having docile corns I am not used to this. Is there anything I can do to calm the snake, (for example with my corns I always put an item of clothing of mine in with them when they are new, but obviously because of the humidity this wouldn't be possible with a BRB). The guy I could get the BRB from is a breeder, and he has quite a few available. I know it sounds daft but at a young age would he be able to tell which ones are nippier than others and pick a more calm snake for me?
Sorry about all the questions, but as I said I really want to make sure that I am able to look after any new snake to the best of my abilities and do not want to take on an animal unless I know I am 100% able to provide the right environment for it.
Thanks and keep up the good work!  |
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Helsbels
Snake mite
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 07:58:28
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So sorry, one more question!!! With the cleaning regime, do you spot clean the orchid bark and then do a full substrate change and tank clean once a month? Thank you! |
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fishfire
Snake mite
23 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 18:15:51
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I'm new to these snakes myself but I'm sure cliff or one of the other experienced brb owners will be along soon to answer your queries.
just from my experience though, you are right, baby and juvenile brbs are a little nippy but with lots of gentle handling they do calm down though you are likely to get tagged once or twice in the process. It doesn't hurt but really makes you jump with the speed lol! if your nervous about getting bitten you can always wear a glove
Chris |
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Welly
Hatchling
United Kingdom
164 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 21:35:12
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Plexi glass the top teir will be fine. Mine is still going strong. I would suggest getting decent bathroom silicon.
As for spraying, once or twice a day with a decent spray. Keep a water bowl under a heat source and it will evap nicely. Humidifiers are ok but i'd recommend some sort if control. I use the lucky reptile one.
Females are bigger. 5-6 foot is the "norm" but they are all different.
Getting tagged isn't bad at all. I once got tagged 8 times in a row by mine. Doesn't hurt but shocks you. Get tagged once and you will be fine.
Mine got nippy towards the one year mark. Although settled now unless provoked.
Spot clean when needed( younwill smell it) and full clean as needed.
You will be fine. Mine was in a full 3 foot vov from about 6 months old. And is now over a 4 foot monster. Don't panic to much and try to make things 100% accurate 100% of The time.
Which breeder are you going to?
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0.1.0 Royal Python
0.0.1 Mexican Black King
1.0.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
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Helsbels
Snake mite
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2012 : 19:00:58
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| Thank you for your help, much appreciated. Your answers are reassuring! The breeder is based in Carshalton in Surrey. Thanks again. |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2012 : 21:05:56
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Hi Helsbels, and welcome to the forum!
First, thank you for being responsible enough to do your research in advance. We occasionally get people who buy the snake and only *then* ask questions, so I’m always thrilled to see the opposite.
Question 1: yes, it is OK to keep snakes in stacked cages, so long as you meet each species’ care requirements. I’ve seen people use Vivexotics before, but have no direct experience with the units. Trust Welly, who knows his stuff on those vivs. The one part I can address is that an adult Brazilian needs at least six square feet of floor space. I’m not sure if the VX36 meets that or not. (Welly?)
Question 2: adult Brazilians need access to humidity of 80% or above. How you provide that is up to you. I personally recommend three tools: a large flat water bowl placed partly over the heat, a moisture-retaining substrate, and a moss-packed “humid” hide. Spraying then becomes a secondary tool. Note these recommendations assume you have properly limited air exchange to the outside room, or else all your humidity will get sucked right out of the viv.
Question 3: it’s easier to add holes than take them away. I’d start with only a few, and then add one by one until you are comfortable.
Question 4: males reach an adult size of about five feet, and females six feet. Exceptional specimens can exceed this though.
Question 5: regular, calm handling is the only way to calm a nippy baby down. A key part of that is never putting down a snake that bites you, as that will only teach it that biting means freedom. Yes, the breeder should be able to pick a calmer one for you….but then, he could always pick wrong lol!
Question 6: spit clean daily, and perform a full change as needed (when it smells funny, molds, etc.). If you're on top of spot cleaning and the snake is not especially messy, you can get away with a full change every three months.
Again, glad to see someone ask questions first! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
Edited by - Snakesitter on 06/02/2012 21:07:11 |
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Helsbels
Snake mite
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2012 : 21:55:20
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Thank you for your answers, they are so useful. It gives me a lot more confidence to have the information to hand. Now just gotta decide whether to take the plunge!! Thanks again xx
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Welly
Hatchling
United Kingdom
164 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2012 : 22:57:52
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The vx36 will be to small to a fully grown adult. But will be more than fine for a good numbers of years leading up to full size.
But even with plexi glass and the best sealent in the world. If you can make the viv last to adult hood before showing signs of humidity damage your doing well.
For info, the vx36 is 4.5 square feet |
0.1.0 Royal Python
0.0.1 Mexican Black King
1.0.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
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Edited by - Welly on 06/02/2012 22:59:31 |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 21:23:55
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| Thanks Welly. Wonderfully complete answer! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Topic |
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New BRB- please help, lots of questions!
