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SurroundedByMadness
Snake mite
United Kingdom
7 Posts |
 Posted - 01/06/2012 : 14:35:15
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Hello, I'm Samantha and I'm 18, and ive been keeping and working with reptiles for a couple of years now, and I keep Royals and beardies at home. I do voluntary work at an exotics shop local to my house so I have a little bit of knowledge on brazilians and other boa species but I just want some experienced opinions before I bring my baby home!
He's a hatchling at the moment and when I get him home I'll be keeping him in a 9-12 litre RUB. Is this, in your opinion an appropriate size for a hatchling?
And also what kind of set up (i.e. substrate, decor, hides, tools to raise humidity) would be appropriate? Seeing as I keep my royals in vivs im not to sure how to go about using and setting up a RUB 
It would be greeeeeeatly appreciated if you could send me some pictures of your own rubs (if you have any)! I just want some ideas and opinions! 
Thank you so much for any help you can provide  |
1.1.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (on its way) |
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Blackcat
Hatchling
United Kingdom
341 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2012 : 15:36:57
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Hi and welcome to the forum.
I have not long acquired two cb12 Columbian Rainbow's and these I keep in 12L RUB's, I also have a cb11 Brazilian which is also housed in a 12L RUB. I'm currently happy with the size for them, but have a 2' Viv ready to move the Brazilian into.
My RUB's are sat ontop of the heat mat which is plugged into a thermostat to regulate temperature, each has a combined temperaure/humidity probe at one end and a thermometer at the other end. The thermostat probe is placed directly onto the mat, not in the RUB.
I currently use newspaper as substrate (cheap and easy), empty plastic butter tubs as moist hides, empty toilet roll inners or small card board boxes as hides, some artificial ivy as added cover.
A small plastic food container with lid (hole cut in lid for access) as a water bowl - this prevents too many spillages
In the current hot weather in the UK I was lightly spraying (daily) one end of the RUB to ensure humidity remained above 80%.
I make sure the snakes have access to both moist and dry areas so they can choose - I only wet the newspaper at one end.
I will take some photos and post pics later, others I'm sure will tell you how they keep theirs - I'm fairly new to this so will be following thread to check if I need to modify my regime in any way to improve their set up. |
1.1.0 BRB's 0.0.2 CRB's
0.1.2 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 House snake
0.1.0 Crested Gecko |
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Blackcat
Hatchling
United Kingdom
341 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2012 : 16:18:52
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Not the best photos, but they do show what I use - not one for spending loads of money on hides they will grow out of.
You can see the ventilation holes I drilled in the RUB on the first photo - at the top, they are at the bottom the other end to allow for air flow.
Hope these are of some use to you |
1.1.0 BRB's 0.0.2 CRB's
0.1.2 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 House snake
0.1.0 Crested Gecko |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2012 : 11:15:38
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| Hi Samantha! Welcome to the forum, and more important, to Brazilian ownership!!! Neonates can be kept in fairly small containers. My babies are kept in a Boaphile rack with drawers that measure twelve inches long by six inches wide, and do fine. I do, however, regard either drawers or tubs as only *temporary* housing for these stunning snakes. An older Brazilian will both need and appreciate the space and security of a full enclosure. |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Blackcat
Hatchling
United Kingdom
341 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2012 : 12:58:13
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My RUB's are only 'temporary' housing whilst they are young and will move up sizes as they grow - just easier to keep track of poo'ing etc in smaller RUB's.
They will all end up in 4' vivs as adults with appropriate substrate and decor.
They are such stunning snakes they deserve to be seen. |
1.1.0 BRB's 0.0.2 CRB's
0.1.2 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 House snake
0.1.0 Crested Gecko |
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SurroundedByMadness
Snake mite
United Kingdom
7 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2012 : 19:52:41
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Thanks for the feedback guys its much appreciated!
Unfortunately the shop had a mix up and thought we had two Brazilians in stock when we only had one, so they sold one thinking they had another left for me when that was the only one they had :( proper gutted, it was one of the prettiest Brazilians ive ever seen! They wont be getting any more in untill August time either! Atleast that means more research time and more time to get things prepared!
I like the look of that RUB Blackcat, its so simple i didnt think about using common household items instead of the ridiculously expensive stuff you get from reptile stores! Would it be okay if i used orchid bark instead of the newspaper? And if i did use orchid bark would i need a humid moss box in there aswell? Or would it be humid enough in there already? |
1.1.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (on its way) |
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Blackcat
Hatchling
United Kingdom
341 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2012 : 21:38:35
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Sorry to hear about the mix up regards thinking they had two Brazilians in stock - August will here before you know it.
Orchid bark will be fine, it is what I plan to use when they are older and bigger. I only use newspaper so I can find the poos easily whilst they are small.
The only thing is to make sure you don't get the bark too wet, I have read that this can cause problems such as RI - I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong
I myself would put a humid moss box in there aswell, but it would probably be ok without.
I had corn snakes first and got most of my ideas for stuff to use as hides etc off the cornsnake site. |
1.1.0 BRB's 0.0.2 CRB's
0.1.2 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 House snake
0.1.0 Crested Gecko |
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SurroundedByMadness
Snake mite
United Kingdom
7 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2012 : 23:22:57
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I hope so! I can't wait to get one!
Ahh yeah that makes sence, I've been told that as long as the temp doesn't drop too low in a humid environment RI shouldnt be too much of a worry (just word of mouth so correct me if im wrong, i'm still learning haha)
Ahh cool, I'm on the theroyalpython forum but havent really paid much attention to the RUB setups as I have vivs, I might check it out tomorrow and see whats on there |
1.1.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (on its way) |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 00:09:26
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| I'm so sorry Samantha! At least, as you say, it gives you more time for proper research. A humid hide (packed with moss) is a "must" for this species. You are correct that so long as the temps stay reasonable an RI will not be an issue. My temps never go below 70F, and that level is only the rare day in winter, or when cooling for breeding. Good luck! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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SurroundedByMadness
Snake mite
United Kingdom
7 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2012 : 21:46:54
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Oh okay then that's fine How much is 70F in celsius? Thank you!
When I eventually upgrade to a vivarium what type would you recommend? because I've read the humidity rots the wood so i'm confused as to what I would use? And it needs to be relatively affordable seeing as i'm a student lol |
1.1.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (on its way) |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2012 : 00:10:07
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70F is 21.1C, and 82F is 27.8C. Unless my math is off. ;-)
I recommend plastic vivs, if you can manage one. A plastic tub will be fine as a temporary enclosure -- just make sure the lid is on tight! Glass enclosures will work if all else fails, but you will need to cover a few sides with insulation and/or backdrops for privacy, and replace the screen top with plexiglass. Good luck! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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New to boa species :)
