Brazilian rainbow boa

[ophiophilist]

Hi, snakecommunity. I've been keeping snakes for about five years and recently bought a baby Brazilian Rainbow Boa. I've wanted one for a long time and researched before making the purchase.

Comments

[svashtar]

My BRB is nine years old, and has lived her whole life on moist eco earth or coconut husk. I've found she prefers it a little on the wet side, and not too warm. She's never had any issues with shedding.

I give her two mice once a week because she's afraid of rats. Generally, put the mouse in the cage and make sure she kills it before offering the second. Most of the time she won't eat the first mouse till she's killed the second, but if she ends up killing and starting to eat the first mouse, I wait till she's fed to add the second mouse. I always watch to make sure she kills the animal before I leave the room.

[ophiophilist]

Thanks for the info! :)

[neumeindil]

Tease feeding is good if you can get her to do it. They're also generally a little bitey as juveniles, just because they're nervous. They usually grow out of it. Watch for signs of R.I.; my fiancee kept his on aspen with a humid hide and never had a problem, but friends of his apparently have. He also says the ones he's familiar with were pretty voracious feeders. They're also primarily terrestrial, but they'll use a branch if you give it to them. Be especially cautious about mite vectors (other snakes, your clothes after a herp show, bedding coming from a pet store, etc.). We've noticed in clearing a couple of rescues of mite problems that they seem harder to kick in snakes with heat pits, like BRBs. Freezing or baking your bedding (except paper towels) is usually a good idea. Newspaper is our friend. :)

[ophiophilist]

Good point, I keep her on paper towel but I got some aspen for another snake. I'll toss it in the freezer just in case. Thanks for the tips! She was exploring last night so I think she's ready to eat tonight.