So . . .I got me a Brazilian Rainbow Boa . . .

[Bushido]

I don't know it's sex. I got it from LLLReptiles. It's a beautiful baby snake, long and slender.

Now I admit I am playing catch up here on how to care for them. I made the mistake of assuming it would be the same as a ball python. My fault for assuming. Now I've been doing research, reading, watching YouTube videos, etc, since 8pm EST. . .It's not 2:20 AM EST. I feel like I'm studying for a final in college all over again, but it's worth it. I want my snake to be happy.

For now, I am referring to the snake as Rose, which would mean that the snake is a female in my mind. I'm hoping for a male though, just for the size difference.

Anyways...

Rose is in a 20 gallon tank 30x12x12.
Aspen mulch.
Two hides. (one is a plastic tupplewear that I cut a hole in it, put damn paper towels/misted for humidity)
A climbing log that has hiding areas inside it.
Large water bowl.
A long towel on top of the screen top that I keep damp, with a plastic tub top over the towel to help with the humidity.

The hot side was getting too hot, so I unplugged the UTH for now to get it down to 83-85. I will be looking for a quality thermostat in the morning. If ANYONE KNOWS OF ONE, PLEASE LINK ME, OR TELL ME WHERE TO GET ONE, THANKS.

I have a 6 and 7 year old, so I'm not really comfortable with keeping Rose in a plastic tub. They love Rose and our Ball Python Sam, and have absolutely no fear of snakes. But they KNOW not to touch the snake tank under any circumstances, and both have locks and clamps on it. With a tub, they may get a bit bold, just don't want to risk it...

I plan on going out and getting a different substrate (cypress mulch) other than aspen that retains moisture (for humidity) without the mold, and getting some moss for the humid-hide box. Hopefully that will spike up the humidity in the tank.

Here's a picture of Rose. Anyone care to give a ball park estimate on how old Rose is?



And here is her set-up, I just finished adjusting things as I was setting it up...



I put a complete wet towel on top of the screen top, instead of only 50% of the top.
- Misted down the hides
-added fake plant for an extra item to mist, and to give some cover to the tupplewear humid-hide.

I WANT AND NEED ANY OPINION POSSIBLE. Thanks.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Quality thermostat:

http://spyderrobotics.com/

budget thermostat:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

and just in case you haven't seen this:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ates-cenchria)

I would replace the half log hide... they don't make snakes feel very secure, and have a tendency to get moldy in high humidity environments. I prefer these hides:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

[Bushido]

Quality thermostat:

http://spyderrobotics.com/

budget thermostat:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

and just in case you haven't seen this:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ates-cenchria)

I would replace the half log hide... they don't make snakes feel very secure, and have a tendency to get moldy in high humidity environments. I prefer these hides:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

Definitely read the care sheet on the BRB's, but thanks again for the link (bookmarked it!)

Is there any store that I can buy the Thermostat on Amazon in a store tomorrow?

I was thinking the same as you about the half log hide. She/He seems to enjoy sliding through it, over it, across it, though. But better to side with caution though.

[The Serpent Merchant]

You might find the hydrofarm thermostat in a gardening center (as they are designed for hydroponics) but I personally have not ever seen one. Unless you have a reptile specialty shop near by chances are you are going to have to order one online... whatever you do stay away from the junk sold in pet stores. Not only is it overpriced but low quality as well.

[Bushido]

whatever you do stay away from the junk sold in pet stores. Not only is it overpriced but low quality as well.

Saw that when getting tips on Ball Python care, so made sure I didn't get the one I saw in Petsmart today. I will go ahead and order two of them now from Amazon. They won't arrive until Monday though. Hopefully Rose can hang tough for 48 more hours.

I've never had to use a Thermostat, so I'm assuming that they're easy to use? Just plug your UTH into it, set the temp you want (max), and you're good?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Saw that when getting tips on Ball Python care, so made sure I didn't get the one I saw in Petsmart today. I will go ahead and order two of them now from Amazon. They won't arrive until Monday though. Hopefully Rose can hang tough for 48 more hours.

I've never had to use a Thermostat, so I'm assuming that they're easy to use? Just plug your UTH into it, set the temp you want (max), and you're good?

You have the basic idea... the UTH plugs into the thermostat, and you set the thermostat to the desired temperature. The thermostat has a temperature probe that you will attach to the UTH (So it is sandwiched in-between the underside of the tank and the UTH. I like to use hot glue for this) This measures the temperature of the UTH NOT the temperature inside the tank. You will need a probed thermometer like the one pictured below to tell you the temperature of the cage. Based on the thermometer reading you will set your thermostat. I would start by setting it to 90 degrees and go from there (you have to wait 30 minutes to an hour in-between thermostat adjustments... it takes some time for the UTH to respond)



Check out this thread for more information...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...04#post1845904

[AndrewGeibel]

I would be worried about keeping the humidity up for a BRB in a tank. Mine will not shed well under 75% relative humidity and I have mold issues over 85% or 90%. Mix that with them liking cooler temperatures than BPs or BCIs and it makes it just a bit harder. My best tip is a large water dish to keep humidity up and constant cleaning to prevent mold.

[Bushido]

I would be worried about keeping the humidity up for a BRB in a tank. Mine will not shed well under 75% relative humidity and I have mold issues over 85% or 90%. Mix that with them liking cooler temperatures than BPs or BCIs and it makes it just a bit harder. My best tip is a large water dish to keep humidity up and constant cleaning to prevent mold.

Can I see what some of your tub set-up's look like? My ONLY concern with the tub is what I already stated, my two curious kids. There's a pretty large water dish in there now. I'm going to get the new substrate and some moss and see if that will hike it up to 75% humidity.

If not, I may have no choice but to use a tub until it's get big enough to move into one of those nice set-up's for them that I intend on getting her. Unless you know of one now that a baby BRB can go into right away?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Can I see what some of your tub set-up's look like? My ONLY concern with the tub is what I already stated, my two curious kids. There's a pretty large water dish in there now. I'm going to get the new substrate and some moss and see if that will hike it up to 75% humidity.

If not, I may have no choice but to use a tub until it's get big enough to move into one of those nice set-up's for them that I intend on getting her. Unless you know of one now that a baby BRB can go into right away?

You can do what I do will all of my snakes... get a PVC cage with a divider. That way you can adjust the size of the cage with the snake.

Check out this thread I wrote on them:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

PVC cages hold in heat and humidity extremely well, and can be locked with a key. Not so much to keep the snake in, but to keep people out.

[Bushido]

You can do what I do will all of my snakes... get a PVC cage with a divider. That way you can adjust the size of the cage with the snake.

Check out this thread I wrote on them:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

PVC cages hold in heat and humidity extremely well, and can be locked with a key. Not so much to keep the snake in, but to keep people out.

That is a REALLY nice set-up you have there.

About how much did all that run you?