Brazilian Rainbow Boa (BRB) husbandry

[Twist]

Brazilian rainbow boas are a beautiful snake, but have some pretty strict temperature requirements for proper keeping. I dug back a few pages here to see what all I could find on BRBs, mostly just checking out other peoples snakes and such. Here's what I've come up with for a the few posts I've seen with people asking about substrates and temperatures.


Humidity Requirements

The humidity is the most important. Depending on which type of enclosure you're using. If you have a glass tank, I really recommend switching to a sterelite tub or a under bed storage like the one im using.

It's a pretty well known fact that if you have a glass tank, it probably has a mesh top which is horrible at keeping humidity. If you're like I was, and have one, the idea of wrapping the top in ceram wrap is a bit ugly, so switch to a plastic storage tote for the best humidity retainment.

The humidity should be kept at atleast 70%. These snakes are unforgiving when it comes to humidity and heat requirements. Humidity lower than 70% can result in an RI and death by dehydration. If you have a sterelite enclosure this is easy. My humidity usually stays at 85% to 90%.

If you're having trouble keeping humidity, one of of things you can do to bump it up is cypress mulch. Everyone keeps mentioning this Sphagnum moss that you put in their hide to create a humid hide. I wasn't really fond of the 30.00 price tag at petsmart for some moss, so I went to our local Lowes and bought some Cypress mulch. Do yourself a favor and find a bag that's tore open or has a hole in it. They'll tape it up and sell it to you for a dollar basically. The bag said "Cypress mulch mix" but I called the mulch company and confirmed there was no Pine or Cedar in it, because Both types of wood have oils that will give your snake an RI.

Cypress mulch is easy to figure out when it needs re-misted. One misting usually lasts 2 weeks or so. When moist it's a deep brown. Dry mulch results in a really light brown. You know you're in the right area when the top of your tub has moisture built up on it, and on the sides of the tub (mines clear) there's water droplets about an inch down in the mulch inside. Cypress mulch is also extremely resistant to mold and mildew.

Burrowing

BRB's love to burrow, so you need to be extremely careful if you're using a deep substrate to allow burrowing in conjunction with a UTH. I have about 4 inches of cypress mulch in hatefuls enclosure. One issue I came across with hateful was where she likes to burrow, she was actually clogging her nose with dust particles from the mulch. I Just put her in a container with warm water in it and she goes underwater and blows the particles out.

Climbing?!

Some people have told me that their BRB's love to climb and may even spend more time on a branch than on the actual floor of your enclosure. This is up to you, as I have a tub which isn't exactly set up for climbing.

Temperatures

BRB's are found in Rain forests, hence the high humidity requirement. Temperatures are a LOT different than ball pythons. Balls require a high of 91 or so. 91 degrees will kill your BRB. The way my temperatures are set up, is 73-75 in the cool side and 85 on the hot side. Be extremely cautious about this as fluctuations can result in your snake overheating and dying.

If anyone has any questions about BRB husbandry, post it here or PM me and I'll give the best answer I can, based purely off what I've done with my snake.

Chase

[JEWSKIN]

Brazilian rainbow boas are a beautiful snake, but have some pretty strict temperature requirements for proper keeping. I dug back a few pages here to see what all I could find on BRBs, mostly just checking out other peoples snakes and such. Here's what I've come up with for a the few posts I've seen with people asking about substrates and temperatures.


Humidity Requirements

The humidity is the most important. Depending on which type of enclosure you're using. If you have a glass tank, I really recommend switching to a sterelite tub or a under bed storage like the one im using.

It's a pretty well known fact that if you have a glass tank, it probably has a mesh top which is horrible at keeping humidity. If you're like I was, and have one, the idea of wrapping the top in ceram wrap is a bit ugly, so switch to a plastic storage tote for the best humidity retainment.

The humidity should be kept at atleast 70%. These snakes are unforgiving when it comes to humidity and heat requirements. Humidity lower than 70% can result in an RI and death by dehydration. If you have a sterelite enclosure this is easy. My humidity usually stays at 85% to 90%.

If you're having trouble keeping humidity, one of of things you can do to bump it up is cypress mulch. Everyone keeps mentioning this Sphagnum moss that you put in their hide to create a humid hide. I wasn't really fond of the 30.00 price tag at petsmart for some moss, so I went to our local Lowes and bought some Cypress mulch. Do yourself a favor and find a bag that's tore open or has a hole in it. They'll tape it up and sell it to you for a dollar basically. The bag said "Cypress mulch mix" but I called the mulch company and confirmed there was no Pine or Cedar in it, because Both types of wood have oils that will give your snake an RI.

Cypress mulch is easy to figure out when it needs re-misted. One misting usually lasts 2 weeks or so. When moist it's a deep brown. Dry mulch results in a really light brown. You know you're in the right area when the top of your tub has moisture built up on it, and on the sides of the tub (mines clear) there's water droplets about an inch down in the mulch inside. Cypress mulch is also extremely resistant to mold and mildew.

Burrowing

BRB's love to burrow, so you need to be extremely careful if you're using a deep substrate to allow burrowing in conjunction with a UTH. I have about 4 inches of cypress mulch in hatefuls enclosure. One issue I came across with hateful was where she likes to burrow, she was actually clogging her nose with dust particles from the mulch. I Just put her in a container with warm water in it and she goes underwater and blows the particles out.

Climbing?!

Some people have told me that their BRB's love to climb and may even spend more time on a branch than on the actual floor of your enclosure. This is up to you, as I have a tub which isn't exactly set up for climbing.

Temperatures

BRB's are found in Rain forests, hence the high humidity requirement. Temperatures are a LOT different than ball pythons. Balls require a high of 91 or so. 91 degrees will kill your BRB. The way my temperatures are set up, is 73-75 in the cool side and 85 on the hot side. Be extremely cautious about this as fluctuations can result in your snake overheating and dying.

If anyone has any questions about BRB husbandry, post it here or PM me and I'll give the best answer I can, based purely off what I've done with my snake.

Chase

do you have fb if so i should have you add a friend of mine they got a brb for a first time snake sigh stupid petshop anywhoo they called me frantic about some issues i sent a care sheet loaned them a tank to keep humidity and warmth up as well as info on how to fix the minor issues since the pet shop said sure feed a small rat to a baby as thick as a bp baby. ugh anyways i give you props for keeping brbs they are hard i do not know many people who keep them because of that I just hope i dont end up with their down the road cause its too much for them.....wouldnt turn her away but i know how picky they r little divas (lovingly said)

[jfreels]

Not sure I agree with all of your information, or maybe more details are required. I'm not trying to bash, just sharing what I have learned from two breeders and what I have read online.

I was told when using cypress mulch, you should dispose of it every week because it is not resistant to molding. Also, your BRB likes to burrow so much because it sits 4" off the UTH. So in reality it doesn't have a prime hotspot unless it burrows. I'll agree though, that they will burrow. But I suspect yours is burrowing because that's the only way it can regulate it's temp.

The whole dust particles, having to go under water thing kind of irks me.

91 degrees will not kill a BRB. I think you're thinking of references to people that would use a basking light with BRBs. The high should be 90, one degree won't kill it

And don't forget a water bowl for soaking and drinking.

[fishmommy]

it's important to note that care of babies is very different from care of adults. Babies need to be kept below 85 (85 can kill!) and at almost 100% humidity. The best way to do this is using a small plastic tub kept at a steady 77-80 degrees F.

[olstyn]

The high should be 90

This would seem to disagree with you on that point, recommending a gradient of 77-83 degrees F. Call me crazy, but I think a guy who has over 100 healthy rainbow boas and produces many litters every year knows what he's talking about with regard to their care.

[littleindiangirl]

We keep our pair of adult BRB's below 90, and the adults can handle less humidity better neonates and juvi's, so our's hang around 50% humidity.

In all honesty, they stay at a steady 75-80 range gradient in animal plastics T-10's. We don't have air conditioning in our house, so it can get warmer than 80, but only for a few peak hours. They are *thriving* and gorgeous animals.

It's not rocket science, but they do need an attentive keeper.

[littleindiangirl]

I was told when using cypress mulch, you should dispose of it every week because it is not resistant to molding. Also, your BRB likes to burrow so much because it sits 4" off the UTH. So in reality it doesn't have a prime hotspot unless it burrows. I'll agree though, that they will burrow. But I suspect yours is burrowing because that's the only way it can regulate it's temp.

The whole dust particles, having to go under water thing kind of irks me.

91 degrees will not kill a BRB. I think you're thinking of references to people that would use a basking light with BRBs. The high should be 90, one degree won't kill it

And don't forget a water bowl for soaking and drinking.

Cypress mulch is actually very resistant to mold and mildew. It dries out very thoroughly, so misting is important, especially for young ones.

We have kept BRB's for a few years now, and the burrowing in the mulch has never presented problems, but the only time they have practiced burrowing is when they do not have a hide in their enclosure.

Some snakes just like to burrow to feel secure on all sides, but as they grow will very likely take advantage of just the hide.

[Twist]

I appreciate all of the constructive comments, I was just trying to give back to the forums. I know how it feels to ask for help and no one say anything for weeks. It's VERY possible im wrong on some things, however these are working perfectly for me and a friend of mine who has a BRB As well and a CRB.

@JFreels the surface temperature of the mulch inside of her warm hide is usually 85, and I've yet to see her actually burrow inside there. She usually burrows around the large dog bowl I have in her enclosure.

The Dust particle thing irritates me as well, but I dont see how it's harmful for her to go under water to "remove" them. She spends a lot of time in both water bowls really.

I've always read that 90+ Is lethal to BRBs, but if thats not the case then I apologize for posting misleading information. Better to be a little cool, than cause burns.

[jfreels]

This would seem to disagree with you on that point, recommending a gradient of 77-83 degrees F. Call me crazy, but I think a guy who has over 100 healthy rainbow boas and produces many litters every year knows what he's talking about with regard to their care.

Funny you mention that reputable source, when they stole that care sheet from someone else and even put their own name on it.

it's important to note that care of babies is very different from care of adults. Babies need to be kept below 85 (85 can kill!) and at almost 100% humidity. The best way to do this is using a small plastic tub kept at a steady 77-80 degrees F.

I have kept my baby at 89-91 degrees. He has shed and eats great. (note, he's not dead)

I'm not saying I have it right or you guys have it wrong. But typing on a public forum, 91 or 85 degrees will kill a BRB is ridiculous. I know two local breeders and they both approve of my setup. I know them in real life. Not some website.

[olstyn]

Funny you mention that reputable source, when they stole that care sheet from someone else and even put their own name on it.

I don't want to get into a pissing match about it, but that particular source has been very helpful to many people on another forum dedicated specifically to rainbow boas, and whether he originated that care sheet or got it from somewhere else, I'd still argue that it's valid, as he does keep and breed a large number of BRBs successfully, producing many beautiful animals in the process. Whether you like or dislike him personally for your own reasons doesn't negate the usefulness or validity of the information he has provided.