JCP vs. BRB activity level question

[artgecko]

Hello folks,

I am considering picking up a new snake at the next Atlanta show (at the end of the month) and not knowing what they'll have available, I want to keep my options open, that said, among other snakes (namely STP), I am considering either a JCP or a BRB. From my research, it seems both have similar care, feeding, and housing requirements. Both are also partially arboreal, which I like.

My question for you guys that own them, is which is more active / out more, which has more "personality", and which tends to tame down easier? Of my current snakes, I enjoy my BCA the most, so if one or the other tends to have a more boa-like temperament, that would probably be the one I pick.

Thanks, as always, for your time and input!

[bcr229]

I can only speak for the BRB as I haven't owned any of the other species. As babies and juveniles they tend to hide, while my adults are more likely to be out and about. My male in particular is very much a display snake, and the only time he disappears is for a few days into his warm side hide after eating. Otherwise he's either on top of a hide or draped along the front of his enclosure.

Babies can be nippy but settle right down with consistent handling. My adults are easy to handle.

[Rob]

My BRB is in the "Nippy" side as well, sure he'll calm his sassy little self with some age tho.


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[Gio]

Hey Artgecko,,, is your BCA from Tom McCarthy?

I was in the same spot you were, I have a beautiful male Barranquilla boa constrictor from Rio Bravo lines and I feel he is pretty active and I find him climbing and perching a lot. He's an excellent snake.

I just bought a coastal/jungle carpet python female at an expo a little bit ago.

They seem to be even more into climbing and perching. I'd say they are more active in general than boa constrictors, but I don't know about BRBs. I'd venture to guess carpets would be more active judging by the BRB's I've seen, but again, I've never owned one.

The only other snakes I've ever considered outside of another BC were carpets, Eastern kings or a SD retic.

I think I made the right choice with the carpet. You can get a pretty long snake without the huge girth when going carpet.



They are very hardy as well. Aussie snakes are worth looking into!

[artgecko]

Thanks for your feedback BCR, the activity level you describe is close to what I was assuming a BRB would have. It is good to know that most tame down pretty well too.

Gio- yes he is from Tom McCarthy (whom I highly recommend). He is almost 4 feet now and is a blast to handle. I like the idea of adding a snake that will be a little longer than him at adulthood, but not put on as much weight as a boa.

I like the looks of both the BRB and JCPs, which is why it is so hard to choose. I would like to eventually keep both, but am not sure my husband would be cool with that... especially considering that I'd eventually also like to add a BCI, a STP, and probably a couple more balls.

I will probably just have to see what they have at the show and go from there. Their setup needs are similar, so either way, I could have a setup waiting that would work for either.

I am also curious on sizes.. I know that JCPs and BRBs are similar in size, but which get larger males or females of both species (I'm assuming females)?

[bcr229]

My male and female BRB's are about the same length - just over six feet - but the female is much thicker even after just having a litter of babies a few weeks ago.

[Gio]

Thanks for your feedback BCR, the activity level you describe is close to what I was assuming a BRB would have. It is good to know that most tame down pretty well too.

Gio- yes he is from Tom McCarthy (whom I highly recommend). He is almost 4 feet now and is a blast to handle. I like the idea of adding a snake that will be a little longer than him at adulthood, but not put on as much weight as a boa.

I like the looks of both the BRB and JCPs, which is why it is so hard to choose. I would like to eventually keep both, but am not sure my husband would be cool with that... especially considering that I'd eventually also like to add a BCI, a STP, and probably a couple more balls.

I will probably just have to see what they have at the show and go from there. Their setup needs are similar, so either way, I could have a setup waiting that would work for either.

I am also curious on sizes.. I know that JCPs and BRBs are similar in size, but which get larger males or females of both species (I'm assuming females)?

Yeah Tom is a great guy. I think you will like carpets. Something from the Land Down Under. Depending on the species of carpet males can be larger. Male Darwin's will go into combat before breeding. Usually the bigger the better so males grow large jungle and coastal I think typically females get largest. Carpets are fast, and a bit flighty and sometimes unpredictable when young. Mine settled fast and her bite was laughable when she bit me. Carpets should get a little larger than the BRB if you get a jungle, coastal or Bredli. They are quite active from sunset to sunrise. Mine is always perched and moving. If you like Tom, next year he will have some Brazilian BCCs. Look at his breeding pair. I think if I could score 1 more snake that would be the one.

[artgecko]

BCR- Thanks.. If I get a BRB, I'll probably go for a female then. I'm assuming they have a better feeding response than the males (not sure if they go off feed like other males do or not).

Gio- Thanks for the info. I definitely want to stay smaller than a coastal, so I'll either go with a jungle or a BRB. As far as the BCCs go... I think they're too much snake for me still lol. I will wait and see how well I do with my BCA first (when he gets larger) then maybe get a BCC. They are great though. That is one reason I got the BCA. Very similar markings (except the red tail) but smaller package. I am comfortable with 6' maybe not so much with 10'.

[Gio]

BCR- Thanks.. If I get a BRB, I'll probably go for a female then. I'm assuming they have a better feeding response than the males (not sure if they go off feed like other males do or not).

Gio- Thanks for the info. I definitely want to stay smaller than a coastal, so I'll either go with a jungle or a BRB. As far as the BCCs go... I think they're too much snake for me still lol. I will wait and see how well I do with my BCA first (when he gets larger) then maybe get a BCC. They are great though. That is one reason I got the BCA. Very similar markings (except the red tail) but smaller package. I am comfortable with 6' maybe not so much with 10'.

OK,

Look into the Darwin or IJ carpets. Usually even the bigger carpets don't girth out like the boas. And,,, my understanding is the BCA boas, while not really long can be quite thick.

I think once you see a 6 foot slim snake is not much to handle, you'll be OK.

Length without the thickness really is not too intimidating. However when the female boas start putting on the girth, they become a lot more to handle LOL!

Handle a a BRB and a carpet, look at a few and see what you think. Choose carefully and don't rush.

It's a fun hobby and it sounds like you are in the driver's seat right now. Get what you want !!!!

[vangarret2000]

I own 2 burbs and a jungle carpet and a coastal carpet plus I have dealt with many others of both species over my time.

I guess you could say they are similar like you have mentioned but at the same time not. Carpets don't have a lot of girth To them but do have a lot more then Brbs when adult. And are usually a little longer too.

Brbs will tend to do a little better in a bit cooler temps then carpets. Most sheets say 85 for Brbs but they actual tend to do better in a little cooler then that. My hot spot is only 82 for them but they spend most of their time on the cool side of the tank.

My Brbs will spend almost all their time in hides. My jungle will spend time in hides but also a lot of time perched. My jungle tends to be out way more then any of my other species of snakes.

Brbs also need more humidity then jungles do and aren't as tolerant to not getting that humidity as jungles are.

Both are quite aggressive eaters. Jungles a little more so then Brbs.

When being handled both are a very active snake. Both can be quite quick with their movements too. Both more active then common boas. In the tank they are both snakes so you most likely don't get a ton of action out of them but both species are still active in their tanks. Jungles I would say are more active then Brbs in their tanks from my experience.

Both tend to be nippy when babies. Both species tend to calm down with proper handling. I find jungles do it a little easier and if you are gonna get one that might never tame it would be more likely in a brb.

From what you want I think you would probably enjoy both but might like Jungles a little more.

I can't speak for BCA but compared to BCI both Brb and jungles will be more active, and faster movements. Both would generally be as tame as them but you would have a better chance of getting a more nippy or aggressive brb or jungle then a BCI. But really comparing BCI to brb an jungles the BCI are really quite different when it comes down to it.