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Samsnake
Snake mite

United Kingdom
26 Posts

Posted - 05/06/2012 :  15:55:40  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi I am Sam and have kept snakes since I was 12 and am now 35.
I have had various species of snakes through out the years. I currently have a Green Tree python, a Royal and am about to have a baby Rainbow Boa. I had a Brazillian years ago but he stayed with my ex when we split up
Looking forward to gettig my new baby sometime this week and have joied the forum to brush up on my knowledge and to speak to other BRB owners.

rfalla1980
Snake mite

United Kingdom
25 Posts

Posted - 05/06/2012 :  16:14:27  Show Profile  Visit rfalla1980's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hi Sam :-)

I'm new here myself but everyone is very knowledgeable and give great advice.

Very envious of the Green Tree Python, post some pics if you can, they are stunning :-)

Rory

0.1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa - Lolita
0.1.0 Pastel Royal Python - Miranda
0.0.1 Western Hognose - Squee
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tango
Snake mite

United Kingdom
40 Posts

Posted - 05/06/2012 :  20:48:55  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
hello Sam

welcome to the forum, only one thing better than waiting for a new one to arrive,
and that's putting them in its new home :)
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Samsnake
Snake mite

United Kingdom
26 Posts

Posted - 05/06/2012 :  21:20:07  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks, everyone seems very nice and helpful on here :) I am always abit nervous to join forums as people can be abit rude on some, but I have been reading past posts on here and the posts are very informative and people are very freindly :) I have got one query so far about heat mats...do they go inside the tank or on the outside??? I have never used one before but it seems like most people on here recommend them for BRB's. I was intending to use a ceramic heater but not so sure now??
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Blackcat
Hatchling

United Kingdom
341 Posts

Posted - 05/06/2012 :  22:04:47  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi and welcome to the forum.
With regards to the heat mat, if you have a wooden viv it would go inside, my BRB is currently in a smallish RUB which is placed ontop of my heat mat.
I also know people don't recommend wooden vivs due to the requirement for higher humidity which can cause 'warping' of the wood.
I believe people don't recommend ceramic heaters due to them drying out the air and hence lowering humidity.
I'm sure more experienced keepers will be along to give advise.



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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Samsnake
Snake mite

United Kingdom
26 Posts

Posted - 05/06/2012 :  23:22:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thank you, I have my RUB all ready to go into my viv but its a melemine (think thats how you spell it) one and was going to aquaseal the edges to prevent it warping. When the BRB goes into the main viv will the heat mat still go inside the viv? Just worried that the snake would burrow and burn itself. My GTP setup is in a plastic viv with a 200w ceramic heater and a low wattage UV light and I have no humidity problems at all but do spray her twice aday as she does not drink from a bowl and will only drink droplets that are around. The local Rep shop said that BRB's do not require a high level of humidity but after reading posts on here I am confused. I remember that the last BRB I had was kept humid although at the time I did not use anything to measure the humidity. Please do not think that I have not researched them its just that i seem to be getting conflicting advice from pet shops, care sheets and here. Would be grateful if someone can help and put my mind at rest before she gets here :)
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Blackcat
Hatchling

United Kingdom
341 Posts

Posted - 06/06/2012 :  09:21:26  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I think the heat mat should be inside your viv.
As for the snake burrowing and burning itself this will not be a problem if your mat is controlled by a thermostat. I have all my mats attached to thermostats and all are controlled to remain around 29 centigrade, never getting any higher.(usually about 28.6)
I am no expert having only had my BRB a couple of months, but was told by the breeder that as long as the snake has access to both a humid area and a dry area there should be no problem - a humid hide in both the 'hot' and 'cold' ends of the vivs will provide the snake with a choice.
I 'think' the main problem with humidity is if the snake can't escape it - but this is just my opinion.
There are some very knowledgeable people on here, you just have to be patient for replies from them.



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 - 09/06/2012 :  00:03:01  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Sam, welcome to the forums!

So long as the heat mat is kept at a temp that does not threaten the snake (82F or lower), you should be fine. Just be careful, and absolutely use a (good quality) thermostat as Blackcat suggested.

For humidity, the pet shop is wrong. These snakes, as they come from the rain forest, *require* access to high humidity to thrive. Adults need 80%+, and babies 90%+. They keys are a large water bowl, placed partly over the heat; a water-retaining substrate, to capture and release water vapor over time; a moist moss hide; and limited air exchange with the outside room. That said, the entire viv does not need to meet those requirements 100% of the time. I have the water bowl and a giant moss hide in each viv that meet those needs, and mist the general enclosure (which has a lower level) a few times a week, daily if the snake is in shed...and mine do fine.

Good luck!

Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles

Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
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Samsnake
Snake mite

United Kingdom
26 Posts

Posted - 10/06/2012 :  09:32:39  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi Cliff,
Thank you very much for your help. I am going to take everyones advice on here as everyone seems to be have alot of knowledge. To be honest I did not really trust what the petshop was saying as I used to keep my last BRB humid. I am guessing the care is going to be very similar to my GTP after reading posts on here. I really need to save for a plastic viv for when he is an adult...guess it means I will have a spare wooden viv to fill :D
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master

USA
2718 Posts

Posted - 12/06/2012 :  00:05:27  Show Profile  Visit Snakesitter's Homepage  Reply with Quote
LOL! I'm sure you will find an interesting resident for it!

Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles

Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook
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