Who here keeps rosies?

[Lizardlicks]

Got a friend interested in getting a rosy boa, but finding a good care sheet hasn't been easy. So far we've got that:

• They're desert dwelling, but avoid the really high range of their natural habitat's temps or it will throw them into a nocturnal schedule
• They're masters of escaping and pretty prone to nose rub
• They should have substrate they can burrow in (but here several of the care sheets online recommended sand???)

If any one has any keeping experience or can link me a couple good care sheets, I would surely appreciate a nudge in the right direction.

[Lizardlicks]

No one? No one at all?

[Albert Clark]

What's going on Liz? Sorry I don't know much about rosy boas but the sand sounds suspect to me. Why don't you google" breeders of rosy boas", then ask the breeders. Also contact the big bp breeders and get their takes and possibly references from them. Garrick Demeyer, Ralph Davis, Justin Kobylka. Maybe just email these guys your requests and see who responds. Good luck.

[Lizardlicks]

Thanks Albert, they just don't seem to be super popular snake! A shame because they're a nice, cute, small species. I've been talking with a few keepers on tumblr and confirmed that aspen is just fine for a substrate. Showed my friend the animal plastics terrestrial caging, too. We'll get this figured out!

[ste93]

I've had my rosy for over 15 years now. they're an easy snake to care for and do well on aspen. i keep mine with a uth hot spot around 85 degrees and cool side at room temps usually high 70's they like low humidity and being a desert snake they get most of their water from their food. in general they have a very strong feeding response. the only time I've been tagged by a rosy was when mine missed the mouse and got my hand as i put the mouse in. As mentioned they are very good at escaping so a secure enclosure is a must. as long s you meet the bare minimums rosy's seem to thrive without much effort.

[Lizardlicks]

Sounds about right. I read a care sheet that suggested brumating them in the winter, is this a necessary step, or more of a precaution?

[ste93]

I've done it both ways either works. they do tend to eat less in the winter so i don't offer food as often once every 2 to 3 weeks. i usually tend to turn off the uth for the winter now and it works well for me. but i never observed any negative effects from keeping temps the same year around. gotta figure in the deserts they live in the average temp is still in the 70's during winter