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renwick
Snake mite
USA
3 Posts |
 Posted - 02/03/2009 : 01:07:28
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Hello,
I just got my first BRB and I have few questions. It's weird how I got him/her. The pet store had apparently special ordered it for someone who didn't show up. The setup that they had for it was something that you would use for ball python. I assumed that this snakes requirements were similar (wrongly). They sold me a glass tank with a mesh lid (which now I know is bad) and heating light.
When I got home and read up on them more I found out that the pet store basically lied to me about their care (I know, I'm an idiot and should have checked first). So I set out to try to get the environment perfect. I got some substate that was supose to hold moisture and and Exo Terra Rainforest Heat mat, from a different pet store, to get the heat a little higher. I have the mesh part of the tank covered with damp wash cloths to prevent humidity loss and the sides insulated with cardboard to prevent heat loss. The light I'm using is infrared so I can keep it on at night to keep the tank warm and so the light doesn't bother the snake and stress him.
The temperature ranges between 77-81 F and the humidity is about 80% in there.
Now I have a few questions:
1. The substrate I have is Exo Terra Forest Bark which is a Fir bedding. It was basically the only reptile bedding they had. When I first put the snake in the cage with the new bedding he seemed to "freak out" and tried to climb up the side of the tank. I am not sure if it was just the stress of the new environment or something bad in the bedding. I just want to make sure but is fir bark substrate okay for these snakes? One care sheet said it was but I want to make sure. Any personal experiences? I plan to get something different in the future but will it be okay for now. I'd rather not move him and stress him to change his bedding unless I have to.
2.I had one of the moist hide boxes that were suggested in his cage but removed it because he immediately went into the "hot" hide and hasn't really come out. I plan to put it back once he starts exploring more. The question I have is since he hasn't come out of his "cave" on the one side it's probably the driest part of the terrarium. Should I move the cave to mist under there or will disturbing him be bad? Should I worry if he doesn't come out to drink he will become dehydrated? I hear they are secretive and he may very well be sneaking out when I'm not around
3. I hear they like to soak but I don't want him to drown in the water. How deep should it be for a snake that is about 1.5 feet long?
3. He was fed on Tuesday (5 days ago). I heard that you shouldn't really bother them for about 5-7 days after you get them but should I feed him on Tuesday or wait? Should I just wait the 5 extra days to feed him? Basically are they more sensitive to the stress from the new environment or being a little later with feedings? My thought is if he gets hungry he'll start coming out more to "hunt" if he is getting hungry but given that he seems secretive I may not see him...
Thanks for the help. |
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Kazerella
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
721 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2009 : 13:38:00
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Hello Renwick- welcome to the forum. I'm sorry your pet shop mislead you, but Rainbow boas are great snakes anyway so hopefully you don't mind too much 
The temps and humidity sound fine so you must be doing something good. We have a glass tank with mesh lid, but we have a piece of glass to cover up the majority of the mesh so it keeps the humidity in too.
For your questions:
1. I've not heard of Forest bark before so you might need to explain a bit more about what it is like. I use eco-earth or coco-husk for my rainbow and that is good for the humidity. Coco bark is also a good substrate.
2. Rainbow boas are really secretive, so you probably never see him exploring. They must come out in the middle of the night only. I would put the damp hide back in because it is a great way of increasing humidity. You just have to trust your snake's instincts really in regards to his preference to hot and cold sides.
3.I've never seen my Rainbow soak, but a decent sized water bowl is good for keeping the humidity up anyway. I wouldn't have it too deep, probably just deep enough to cover the snake.
4. I would wait for a full week before attempting the feed him. They are very sensitive to stress and my rainbow boa didn't eat for weeks after we first got her. I would try after 7 days and if he takes the prey item then good, but I wouldn't worry too much either if he refuses the first time.
Hope these answer your questions. Get some pictures up soon- we love pictures on here |
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renwick
Snake mite
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2009 : 15:42:56
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| Thanks. The forest bark stuff is made from fir trees. It's made by a company called exo terra. |
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renwick
Snake mite
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2009 : 15:56:59
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I was just wondering what the temperature "danger zones" are for these snakes. I read that temps over 85 F (I'm in the US) are bad for them but then I heard about some people having temps up to 88 on other sites (but I think that may just be for larger snakes). What are your opinions on the absolute top and bottom temp that a cage should ever be?
So far mine has been about 73 at night and up to 77-80 during the day. Is that good? I tried to insulate the cage a little with a pillow behind it, in an attempt to shift the average temp to more of a 79-81, but that really shot the temp up to 86 in just an hour so I stopped that.
Thanks again for the help. |
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Kazerella
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
721 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2009 : 20:44:27
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I keep mine around 30 degrees, give or take a few degrees, which is around 85F. I wouldn't go much higher than this really. I've found lower temps help with the humidity for some strange reason.
I've not heard of a substrate made from fir trees before, but if it's made by exo-terra then it must be alright. Does it say that it's alright for snakes on the packaging? If so, it'll be fine. |
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karl
New Member
55 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2009 : 22:50:17
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quote:
Originally posted by renwick
Thanks. The forest bark stuff is made from fir trees. It's made by a company called exo terra.
erm, I just had a thought, Fir, as in Pine trees? If it's pine then its toxic to snakes iirc, please wait for someone to confirm first..... |
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Kazerella
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
721 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2009 : 09:38:22
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I thought fir trees were like conifers? Not sure though so better check.
Can't see Exo-terra making a substrate that is toxic to snakes though. That would be daft.
To google!!!!!  |
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Kazerella
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
721 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2009 : 09:40:30
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Found this:
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/forest_bark.php
It's got a snake on the packaging so must be safe for snakes-otherwise they would be risking being sued.
I've also looked at firs and pines and they are closely related, but not quite the same. Something to do with needles. |
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saddleninja
Moderator
United Kingdom
44 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 21:47:21
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| for my little colombian i got the night time temp at 78 and the day time at 84, but i still strugle with a constant humidity |
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gingerpony
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
1442 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 21:49:44
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| oooh? SN wher have you been lurking? |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder hypo boas, ratsnakes, cornsnakes, Day geckos
LOCATION: Leeds/York area
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Kazerella
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
721 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2009 : 13:10:03
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Yes SN- we've been worried  |
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KoopaTheBoa
Snake mite
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2009 : 20:53:30
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Hi There!
I use coco husk as a substrate and it seems to keep things humid enough - must be ok because he is growing like no bodies buisness!
My temps are up to 88 occasionally but average is the same as everyone elses!
With regards to soaking - mine does after every feed! I have the water deep enough to cover him. He does submerge his head for a while but then he will move and poke his head over the edge and just sit and chill!
Unless he is very very hungry the only time i ever see him is if i come home at about 3 in the morning! Then he will be out exploring! When i first bought him i was told to check he is thermoregulating and moving around - i worried so much when i didnt see him - little did i know he was all over the place at night!
They can be very sensitive to changes - especially when they are small ( or so i found with Koopa ).
They are great snakes tho and if you catch them right after a shed amazingly beautiful!
Youll have a great time with him!
x
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Ash250380
Snake mite
United Kingdom
19 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2009 : 17:49:51
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| Hi renwick i use douglas fir substrate with eucalyptus and my colombian seems to love it compared to eco-earth and its helped a lot with the humidity |
Ash |
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saddleninja
Moderator
United Kingdom
44 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2009 : 20:02:23
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| i have just started using jungle bed by t-rex, so far its seems good |
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Brittany
Snake mite
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 21/05/2009 : 22:10:45
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| I just got some cypress mulch for my BRB, and she's been burrowing in it. That's fine, right? I assume it is...does anyone else's snakes burrow? |
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Kazerella
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
721 Posts |
Posted - 22/05/2009 : 09:34:45
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Mine lives under the substrate. She's really bad for getting under the lining and hiding with the hydroleca balls.
Had a few frights too. Thinking she's escaped only to rip the entire contents out and find her well below the surface. |
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Topic |
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First Rainbow Boa Questions
