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parks
Snake mite
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
 Posted - 15/09/2010 : 17:50:08
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hi guys, nd girls..lol
i am buyin a BRB and it will be my very first snake. the pet store says they have had the 2 in stock since april. will i have any problems once i collect? and how would you advise me to care for the snake with the snakes best interests at heart?
they are only babys and i have bought a plastic viv which the store recommends for the first 12 months or so. during this time i will be building my own ''home'' for the snake. the plastic one it will live in, i have been told i will need a heat mat, a hide, substate (or whatever its called lol ) and a water bowl. they heat mat im told will sit under the viv, but do i put the whole thing under the viv or just half? because i read the snake needs a warm end and a cool end ? any help and advice will be greatly appreciated |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2010 : 21:13:56
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Ask to not only see, but also hold, the snake in advance. That way you can gauge its health and behavior. As you are new to owning snakes, take a friend with more experience along with you. Also ask about feeding history: does it ever refuse a meal? Does it prefer dead or live? Rats or mice? Finally, take a look around the store and make sure they maintain *all* their snakes well. Mites in one cage often means mites in several cages.
A plastic cage is indeed the best choice, due to Brazilians' high humidity requirements. Place the heat mat so that it is under one end of the cage, covering about 20-25% of the total cage floor. Make sure it is governed by a good thermostat, and set it to 80F to start. If all goes well, you can increase this to 82F later. The fact that only one end of the cage is heated gives the snake a place to retreat to, a "cool side," when it feels too warm. A hide is a necessity, and make sure you pick up some moss to pack into it, thus making it a "humid" hide. The water dish should be large enough for the animal to soak in, as Brazilians love to do this. For substrate, I'd frankly stick to either paper towel or newspaper to start. Paper towel is slightly better because messes are easy to spot and it holds humidity well.
I hope this helps! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
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parks
Snake mite
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2010 : 22:00:31
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| yeah thanks again snakesitter.. on which side to i put the hide, and the water bowl? or does it not matter? the substrate i have bout is aspen, wood chiping like stuff! will this be ok? also, im now considering a corn snake because im told this is a species which is far more easier to own. ?? |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2010 : 22:13:50
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Corn snakes are considered more of a "beginner" snake, but if you can meet the temp/humidity requirements, Brazilians are just as easy -- and far, far prettier. My first snake (other than an African Rock Python I snake-sat) was a Brazilian, and now I have 21 of them.
I generally decide which end to place the hide and water by season: in summer, which runs hot in LA, I place the water on the hot side and hide on the cool side; and in winter, where nights can run cold, I place the hide on the hot side and water on the cool side.
Aspen should be fine, but I'd hold off on using it for a bit (in favor of paper towel) to make sure your new snake has settled in and you can spot problems more easily. Switch over after like a month.
Good luck, and keep us posted-- |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
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Kazerella
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
721 Posts |
Posted - 29/09/2010 : 13:43:45
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Corns are a lot, lot easier, but if you are doing your research I don't think you will have problems with a BRB either. Like Snakesitter says it's the high humidity that's the tricky thing.
and maybe that babies can be a bit snappy, so you need to not be discorraged by a few love bites in the early days.
My water bowls are in the hot end to help with the humidity, but I live in sunny Yorkshire so it's always cold  |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 29/09/2010 : 23:09:39
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Nippy baby Brazilians? Who ever heard of such a thing? ;-)
(Note to new keepers: I'm kidding. Baby Brazilians are some of the nippiest little buggers ever, but settle down nicely with handling and age. My adults *rarely* even try to bite.) |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
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hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
Posted - 30/09/2010 : 10:33:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Snakesitter
Nippy baby Brazilians? Who ever heard of such a thing? ;-)
(Note to new keepers: I'm kidding. Baby Brazilians are some of the nippiest little buggers ever, but settle down nicely with handling and age. My adults *rarely* even try to bite.)
LOL my two have never bitten me but my female Bow she head butted my finger  |
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Welly
Hatchling
United Kingdom
164 Posts |
Posted - 30/09/2010 : 16:26:26
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| i've been tagged once and head butted twice with mine. I'd prefer him than my royal. |
0.1.0 Royal Python
0.0.1 Mexican Black King
1.0.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 30/09/2010 : 23:19:54
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Last night, a friend was holding a yearling female of mine. She's the tamest little snake. But apparently, as I was walking by my friend, she decided my presence was Not Wanted, and reached and tagged me in the rear!
(Never felt a thing through the clothes, but funny nonetheless.) |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
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Edited by - Snakesitter on 04/10/2010 21:01:33 |
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hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2010 : 19:43:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Snakesitter
Last night, a friend was holding a yearling female of mine. She's the tamest little snake. But apparently, as I was walking by my friend, she decided my present was Not Wanted, and reached and tagged me in the rear!
(Never felt a thing through the clothes, but funny nonetheless.)
Do you mean the ASS ? ROFL |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2010 : 21:03:12
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quote:
Originally posted by hiper2009
Do you mean the ASS ? ROFL
Yes indeedy.  |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2010 : 06:05:52
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| Ha ha ha! She thought your hiney looked tasty. |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2010 : 18:39:16
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| Better she gets it out of her system at 150 grams than 1500. ;-) |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
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hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
845 Posts |
Posted - 12/10/2010 : 00:54:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Snakesitter
Better she gets it out of her system at 150 grams than 1500. ;-)
Hahah your right , How many teeth does an adult brb have is it 100 like a python ?  |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 12/10/2010 : 19:11:13
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| No idea, actually. Best answer: "enough." ;-) |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 13/10/2010 : 03:39:29
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| I have to agree with Snakesitter. I've seen inside of Aphrodite's mouth (my albino BCI red tail)...and she's got tons of sharp little teefs, so I can only imagine that Marius would have similar. Even just a few would certainly be more than enough. lol! |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
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new boa
