Any advice for owning a rosy boa?

[freeflow246]

Hi all! This will be my first snake, and although I've done some reading and think I have everything down, I thought I should come on here and ask a few questions with people who know their stuff.

Also, I haven't actually bought anything yet. Thought it would be best to make sure I've got everything right before blowing my money everywhere.

So, for the tank setup:
- 20 gal tank
- aspen bedding
- Zoo Med repti-therm under tank heater
- Zilla thermostat to regulate the heater
- a hide log on the hot side and another on the cool side
- a little branch for climbing
- Thermometers for each side
- A shallow water dish that I'll put in the tank once or twice a week

I don't mind admitting that I'm a total newbie at reptiles, so any criticism or advice is well appreciated.

[Capray]

Sounds good, you should get fully enclosed hides, with one opening, snakes like these better. Make sure the thermometer is digital, prefferably with a probe like an Accurite thermometer, so you can check the temps of the uth whenever neccesary. Good luck! Just leave the water bowl there all the time, the snake will not over drink.

[freeflow246]

Thanks for the help! The only reason I wasn't going to leave the water in the tank was because of how rosies like lower levels of humidity, and since I'm in Florida, humidity is probably going to be my main problem. I will leave it in there though.

Oh, and another thing. Does anyone know where I could find a Morongo Valley Axanthic? I love their color, but I can't seem to find one anywhere.

[TheWinWizard]

Scratch the Zilla and get a hydrofarm instead. I also prefer the Exo-Terra heat mats. here's a couple of links to them.
http://www.amazon.com/Terra-Heatwave...terra+heat+mat

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...ords=hydrofarm

[freeflow246]

Sweet, thanks!

[freeflow246]

Ugh, sorry to bring this thread back but I have one last question. Seriously the last one. I swear.

The guy I'm thinking of buying a rosy from is planning on having an Otay Lake litter in the future. He said maybe next year. I absolutely adore that color, but is a year too long to wait? I guess this is like an opinion question. But is it common to wait that long for a specific snake? Or should I start looking around elsewhere?

[carlson]

It's more or less how capable you are of waiting, do you have the enclosure all set up ready to go? As far as me I waited a year until I bought my bigger snake, partly cuz I couldn't find one and my ex was a tough one to talk into letting me add a carpet python to the collection. So really it's a situational thing in my opinion.

[Capray]

Lol, you can always get one now and get the morph too, next year!

[freeflow246]

I have almost everything I'll need. I'll start assembling the cage soon. I emailed one other person who I think might have Otay Lakes this year. If he doesn't respond then I suppose I'll have to decide if I think it's worth waiting a year. A bit frustrating since I was just able to convince my family a snake wouldn't be all bad, but what can you do.

[freeflow246]

Found someone selling Otay Lakes soon, but the prices seem a bit suspicious:

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...ight=otay+lake