BRB... Thinking of taking the plunge but unsure!

So a breeder a couple hours from me has a few female baby brb's. They're eating well and healthy and I want one so badly. I'm just ITCHING to have one of the beautiful little things but I'm so nervous and unsure because I have no experience with boas!!

I've been lucky so far. My two bp's are very mellow and were from the get-go. I've never been tagged, hissed at, snapped at... Nothing. I've heard baby boas are pretty snappy? That makes me a little nervous because I've never experienced it.

As far as care... I'm not really worried. I use tubs and have no problem keeping humidity. I've been reading up on them for a while and I'm sure I can handle it... I'm mostly worried about their temperament. I know it really depends on the individual snake and that's something I'd have to work with the breeder for but generally what are they like? Are they like bp's and hide all the time? Or do they come out and about sometimes?

Besides a brb, I'm also really really interested in a mexican black kingsnake but again, I'm very unsure! A new pet is a big commitment and I like to be 100% sure it's going to work out for both of us before actually getting one.

So! I'm looking for experiences, stories, warnings, PICS!... Whatever. I just need some help making up my mind!! lol

Yes, baby rainbows can be pretty snappy, if my girl is any indication. She's usually ok, but she'll occasionally throw random temper tantrums without warning. For example, if I try to take a picture of her, she goes nuts. Hates cameras for whatever reason. If I put my hand down, she also will try to bite me. She has managed to hit me, but it's not really that big of a deal. It didn't feel great, and it was surprising, but she let go pretty quickly. Just don't pull your hand back, wait for the snake to let go and continue handling it. Though to be fair, the baby I bought was one of the nippier ones at the expo. I bought her because she was the prettiest. Judging by the adult rainbows I've held, they become a lot calmer with age.

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Originally Posted by Penultimate

Yes, baby rainbows can be pretty snappy, if my girl is any indication. She's usually ok, but she'll occasionally throw random temper tantrums without warning. For example, if I try to take a picture of her, she goes nuts. Hates cameras for whatever reason. If I put my hand down, she also will try to bite me. She has managed to hit me, but it's not really that big of a deal. It didn't feel great, and it was surprising, but she let go pretty quickly. Just don't pull your hand back, wait for the snake to let go and continue handling it. Though to be fair, the baby I bought was one of the nippier ones at the expo. I bought her because she was the prettiest. Judging by the adult rainbows I've held, they become a lot calmer with age.

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Ah, that's kinda scary! haha. Yeah, I tend to talk to breeders about personality and have them help me pick one that matches what I'm looking for. Since I won't be breeding anything, I care more about personality than anything. I guess it depends on what kind of babies she has!

My female BRB gave me a nice litter last year. The babies all came out nippy but settled down quickly with regular and consistent handling. The last time most of them nipped was when prospective buyers were popping them for sex, most took great exception to being "violated" in that manner. Even when they do nip it's not a bad bite, usually it's much less painful than what you would get from a playful kitten. I've never had an adult act defensively nippy.

I also have an MBK. She was a doll her first year, very easy-going and chill, never offered to nip at all, sweet to handle, etc. She goes off food a bit over the winter along with my other colubrids - they don't stop eating entirely but they only take a feeder every 2-3 weeks instead of weekly. The downside is that once spring hits she gets voracious, and she will go for fingers thinking that they are "pinkies" even if there is no feeder smell in the air or on my hands, so handling her can be a challenge in the spring now that she's an adult. If she's not foody she's also good to handle.

Cages need alot of care, I use paper substrate changed every three days. High humidity means high likely hood of mold. You have to be scrupulously clean. They are somewhat secretive snakes, but when you hold them in the sun it is all worth it.

David

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Originally Posted by bcr229

My female BRB gave me a nice litter last year. The babies all came out nippy but settled down quickly with regular and consistent handling. The last time most of them nipped was when prospective buyers were popping them for sex, most took great exception to being "violated" in that manner. Even when they do nip it's not a bad bite, usually it's much less painful than what you would get from a playful kitten. I've never had an adult act defensively nippy.

I also have an MBK. She was a doll her first year, very easy-going and chill, never offered to nip at all, sweet to handle, etc. She goes off food a bit over the winter along with my other colubrids - they don't stop eating entirely but they only take a feeder every 2-3 weeks instead of weekly. The downside is that once spring hits she gets voracious, and she will go for fingers thinking that they are "pinkies" even if there is no feeder smell in the air or on my hands, so handling her can be a challenge in the spring now that she's an adult. If she's not foody she's also good to handle.

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I don't blame them for feeling violated! haha. That's what I'm thinking though... If the baby is nippy I can start 'taming' it through small handling sessions. I just wish I could meet one of them first. Curses to not having a driver's licence!!

MBK's are so beautiful, too... Why do they all have to be so beautiful?! XD

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Originally Posted by nightrainfalls

Cages need alot of care, I use paper substrate changed every three days. High humidity means high likely hood of mold. You have to be scrupulously clean. They are somewhat secretive snakes, but when you hold them in the sun it is all worth it.

David

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I use paper towel sub with my bp's and I'm in there checking on them every day, replacing water and whatnot. The only time I don't bother them as much is when they're shedding or 48 hours after eating... But I never let their sub sit wet ever and I clean them whenever they need it. My snakes are spoiled with their care haha.

And that's what's so cool about them! But even when not in the sun, I think they're beautiful creatures, too. :)

Well, I found out she takes payments so I put a deposit on a baby to hold it for me. I'm getting a brb!

I have a baby brb I got from a fantastic breeder. She is a dream, not snappy at all but she is a little shy so she just balls up. For her enclosure, she is in half a t8 from AP. I keep her on reptile bark mixed with cypress. I have no mold issues. I spray down her bedding every few days and provide a large water bowl. I heat it use flex tape with a thermostat set at 85. You can overheat them. They don't like higher temps like balls.
Once her enclosure was set up she's been really easy and just a joy.

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Originally Posted by HVani

I have a baby brb I got from a fantastic breeder. She is a dream, not snappy at all but she is a little shy so she just balls up. For her enclosure, she is in half a t8 from AP. I keep her on reptile bark mixed with cypress. I have no mold issues. I spray down her bedding every few days and provide a large water bowl. I heat it use flex tape with a thermostat set at 85. You can overheat them. They don't like higher temps like balls.
Once her enclosure was set up she's been really easy and just a joy.

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Yay! I'm so excited. I'm going to start picking up everything I need for her. I really wish I could get pvc cages from AP but they don't ship to Canada! And PVC cages here are way more expensive. The equivalent of a T8 here is $220 + whatever features you want added. :(