rainbow boa,pros and cons?

[fishingfool]

I have seen a few pictures and noticed they are beautiful boas but other then that i haven't delved into the important info like native home temp needs and humidity arboreal or terestreial enclosure requirements are they a defensive species. or more laid back and how big do they get answers from owners would be nice

[SoPhilly]

They're pretty chill snakes. You'll mostly see Brazilian and Colombian Rainbow Boas for sale - they have very similar husbandry and temperments, but the Brazilians get to be 5-7 ft, while colombians stay a little smaller 4.5-6 ft. I have a really laid back Colombian - super tame and easy to hold. I've heard that Brazilians can be more nippy, but like with any snake, it depends a lot on how you interact with them.

They are easy to care for once you have an enclosure set up that can retain humidity. Brazilians need around 80% or above, Colombians can go a little lower, maybe 70% as adults. Babies of both should keep at 90% or above. You can do tubs or fabricated plastic enclosures which keep the humidity no problem. It's important to have substrate that resists mold, tho... or that you change super frequently. A lot of people keep them on paper towels/newspaper. I keep my female colombian on cypress mulch, she loves to dig. Hot spot 85-88, cool end 70-75.

They're semi-arboreal as babies, and more terrestrial as adults. My girl is about six months, and is ALWAYS climbing. In her tank or up my face to periscope herself up off of my glasses. Don't know if that's just her :)

Honestly, people say they're not a good first snake, but the only reason is you have to get your humidity right. If you can maintain that without getting moldy, they're a pretty ideal beginner snake, temperment-wise. Laid-back but curious.

Just my $.02 :)

[marvelfreak]

They're pretty chill snakes. You'll mostly see Brazilian and Colombian Rainbow Boas for sale - they have very similar husbandry and temperments, but the Brazilians get to be 5-7 ft, while colombians stay a little smaller 4.5-6 ft. I have a really laid back Colombian - super tame and easy to hold. I've heard that Brazilians can be more nippy, but like with any snake, it depends a lot on how you interact with them.

They are easy to care for once you have an enclosure set up that can retain humidity. Brazilians need around 80% or above, Colombians can go a little lower, maybe 70% as adults. Babies of both should keep at 90% or above. You can do tubs or fabricated plastic enclosures which keep the humidity no problem. It's important to have substrate that resists mold, tho... or that you change super frequently. A lot of people keep them on paper towels/newspaper. I keep my female colombian on cypress mulch, she loves to dig. Hot spot 85-88, cool end 70-75.

They're semi-arboreal as babies, and more terrestrial as adults. My girl is about six months, and is ALWAYS climbing. In her tank or up my face to periscope herself up off of my glasses. Don't know if that's just her :)

Honestly, people say they're not a good first snake, but the only reason is you have to get your humidity right. If you can maintain that without getting moldy, they're a pretty ideal beginner snake, temperment-wise. Laid-back but curious.

Just my $.02 :)
I agree with all of this but the bold print. Temps higher than 85 can be deadly to Rainbows. 85 should be the max temp.

[fishingfool]

So far im not hearing any cons lol

[fishingfool]

So ima mant a brazilian boa

[marvelfreak]

So far im not hearing any cons lol
There really aren't any.

[reptiledude987]

Really the only thing close to a con is if you struggle with maintaining their humidity.

[fishingfool]

Witch with the right enclosure isn't really much of a problem lol so what do they tend to cost for a hatchling or a sub adult

[reptiledude987]

Ive seen brb prices range between 200-300

[toddnbecka]

Check fauna and kingsnake classifieds, they're pretty well always listed. The little ones I've seen available at the few shows I've been to weren't as bright or colorful as some of them I've seen going for $125-175 online. Never really looked into BRB prices at shows, but they're typically similar to online sellers, but no shipping costs.

[fishingfool]

So shop around for a good deal and ask for proof of bloodlines and such

[SoPhilly]

I agree with all of this but the bold print. Temps higher than 85 can be deadly to Rainbows. 85 should be the max temp.

Agreed, CRB caresheets will say 90 degree hotspots sometimes, but my thermostat is set to 84. I think CRB's may be better able to tolerate high temps than BRB's, but I'd rather not risk it. Plus, she's never regurged with that temp, and i'm as likely to find her on her warm side or her cool side, so she's clearly not freezing.

Fishingfool, just so you know, you can find CRB's for $40-75 - they're not those gorgeous red and oranges and stay smaller, so they're very inexpensive. They are bronzey-gold-brown colors.

If you're looking for a BRB, what you really want to do is check out Living Gems Reptiles and get one from Cliff lol. He's a great guy, always helping out newbies on the forum, and you'll get a family tree with lineage as far as it's known. Plus his prices are really more than reasonable (less than quoted above) for "normals", and only up into the $200-300's for his high quality animals. Am I allowed to shamelessly promote him like this? Well I'm doing it :)

[fishingfool]

Lol i will have to contact him if i get serious about buying one

[Snakesitter]

Cons? What cons?

:::innocent::: ;-)

The gang has covered the species’ needs pretty well. I agree with capping the temps for Brazilians below 85F – I personally use 82F as my cap, to leave a safety margin. Columbians can indeed go a few degrees warmer.

I use Boaphile enclosures, as they are lightweight, stackable, and hold humidity well. I’ve also heard good things about Animal Plastics.

A large water bowl and a moist moss hide are crucial with either species.

Babies are born nippy, but clam down fast with age and regular handling. Ours are hand- and head-tame by the time they leave us.

The average baby Brazilian goes from $150 to $200. You can find them cheaper, but those are usually lower-quality specimens, or sold by someone doing them as a sideline...which means they’re usually not an expert if something goes wrong. You can also find them higher – I’ve purchased future breeder normals for as much as $350 to $400, and had someone offer $500 for one of my top baby females in 2013. As with any purchase, you get what you pay for, both animal and breeder.

(And SoPhilly, thank you for the plug!!!)

[fishingfool]

So i take it normal shipping rules apply i would be building it something at home out of wood and plexiglass and since they are more arboral as young snajes i will build it so it can be fliped to a shorter longer enclouse with age

[fishingfool]

Do they really have that rainebow spot on some?

[reptiledude987]

the rainbow refers to the iridescence they have. some pics show it better than others. but instantly noticable in person.

[fishingfool]

Ok cool.so it almost looks like a rainbow shed comeing on all the time

[SoPhilly]

Both CRBs and BRBs have seriously shiny rainbow iridescence whenever you hold them in the right light, and look pretty awesome and magical. If you have the opportunity to go see one at a petstore or a show, you'll see what I mean.

[SoPhilly]

All rainbow Boas, actually - let's not forget the Argentines or the Paraguyanas - any epicrates cenchiras, really

[reptiledude987]

Ya those guys too. it almost looks like their skin ahs an oily residue on it the way it shines and reflects the light spectrum

[fishingfool]

But brbs th most?

[reptiledude987]

imo I think they show it most.

[fishingfool]

Then brb it is I'm interested in a more colorful snake that will make my gf more into reptiles she thinks my normal bp and my pinstripe pb are pretty cool so I'm thinking a large snake with a friggen rainbow on it would be a good snake that my gf won't be pissed if it end up like 10 feet long lol

[fishingfool]

But I'm seeing mostly smaller ones in pics arpund six feet

[fishingfool]

So.overall I'm hearing that as long as you keep a very humid well vented enclosure they are pretty easy to keep so I'm thinking live moss bed and a bunch of live plants planted into some driftwood andabye a fogger

[reptiledude987]

Ive never seen a 10' BRB in my life. There may be one but its not the norm. 6' is much closer to average. If your gf is like mine and likes shiny things and pretty colours then the BRB may end up as her favorite. These guys are on my short list as well. Personally I keep most of my animals in glass terrariums. I'm holding off on getting a BRB until I get a nice pvc unit for them to retain the humidity then a pair will be in it quickly!

[fishingfool]

I'm.a fan of glass also

[Snakesitter]

I'd either avoid wood, or make sure you seal it *very* well and let the cure dry. Wood does not stand up well to this species' humidity needs over time. They are only semi-arboreal as youngsters, and I bet it has to do with survival instinct. They are vulnerable as babies, and most larger predators can't climb.

[Snakesitter]

The darker the rainbow, the more the iridescence shows up. That said, as the largest rainbow subspecies Brazilians have the most surface area it can show up on, so when you add that to their innate beauty they are a clear win.

[Snakesitter]

Standard adult length is up to five feet males, six feet females. Older, well-fed animals can pass this, but it takes good genes and good care.

All Brazilians tend to be thinner animals -- their alternate name is the "slender boa." If you see a fat one, the owner may be overfeeding.

[Snakesitter]

Actually, limited ventilation is better. Too much air flow allows the hard-won humidity to leak right out the enclosure. But high humidity and moderate temps are the keys.

[marvelfreak]

Just to help with your decision. You can see the rainbow effect on this guy and gal.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/876x657q90/661/iSNKZm.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/516x387q90/853/mnokh.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/516x387q90/829/cv37.jpg

[reptiledude987]

Damn you Chuck! Want those so bad.... Time to get a pvc viv.

[marvelfreak]

Damn you Chuck! Want those so bad.... Time to get a pvc viv.
You can never go wrong with a Rainbow. So come and join us on the colorful side of the force. ;)

[reptiledude987]

You can never go wrong with a Rainbow. So come and join us on the colorful side of the force. ;)

I know I will be crossing over to the colorful side within the next 6 months tops. Just a couple other things to square away first and goin to build a pvc viv and there will be a pair here in a heartbeat.

[kwhitlock]

Just to help with your decision. You can see the rainbow effect on this guy and gal.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/876x657q90/661/iSNKZm.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/516x387q90/853/mnokh.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/516x387q90/829/cv37.jpg

Gorgeous BRB's chuck!

[marvelfreak]

Gorgeous BRB's chuck!
Thank you Kevin. Hopefully in a couple more months i'll have some babies from this pair.

[NewHerp293]

Those are beautiful rainbows! One of my friends has been keeping a few different BRBs for a few years now and he finally has two different pairs breeding currently, so what i thought was gonna be another 1 year+ before i got another snake might actually turn into just a few months! Time to start acquiring all the necessary husbandry stuff.

Is there any harm in starting BRBs out in a clear plastic rubbermaid or something similar?

[reptiledude987]

A lot of brb keepers will use tubs for juviniles as theyre good for maintaining humidity

[Snakesitter]

Good luck! Any breeding activity?

[Snakesitter]

Come to the dark -- er, colorful -- side... ;-)

[Snakesitter]

Depends on the traffic...clear tubs in a high-traffic area might not work well.

[marvelfreak]

Good luck! Any breeding activity?
Not sure who your asking. I have had tons of locks. My female is a 2010 from Jeff Clark. Males a 2010 from DTS Herps Farm. She was producing follicles back in Aug. So i put my male with her. Then from mid Oct to early Dec witness tons of locks. Since nothing but she getting fatter and starting to look lumpy. Going by her last shed i thinking i should be getting babies around late March early April.

[reptiledude987]

Depends on the traffic...clear tubs in a high-traffic area might not work well.
Do they stress easily in high traffic areas? I hadnt heard that before.

[marvelfreak]

Do they stress easily in high traffic areas? I hadnt heard that before.
I never had problems, but i could see some babies might get stressed till they got use to it. If they is have plenty of hide to make them secure and you should be fine.

[fishingfool]

Ok so 6 feet is big for a rainbow boa that's a good size i was planning on sealing it with multiple coats of clear coat ans siliconing the corners and putting a couple of vents in prob four all together two one the sides near the top and two ob the sides near the bottom

[fishingfool]

Or mabye just two near the middle one haveing a fan to force air flow sounds to me that humidity is important and mold and such grows best with high humidity and stagnant air so good venting mixed with a high humidity enclosure should work pretty good

[Snakesitter]

I was asking you. :-) Congrats on the progress so far!

[marvelfreak]

I was asking you. :-) Congrats on the progress so far!
Thanks Cliff! Another good sign is the fact she been hanging out on the about 50% of the time. This is a snake that never would get on the hit even after eating.

[Snakesitter]

Definitely a good sign!!!

[fishingfool]

So pvc set ups would prob work best do they make pvc sheets? or am i going to have to get creativewith a heat gun

[fishingfool]

And i was just enuff vents to keep it from molding

[Snakesitter]

Less vents = better. Otherwise all the humidity seeps out. PVC is a solid choice. Be careful of what you glue it down with though.

[fishingfool]

I prob won't glue it at all in that case and just seal it up with silicone and bolt it together

[Snakesitter]

Sounds like a good plan. :-) Make sure to use stainless hardware where possible.

[fishingfool]

Of corse can't have lead hanging about. lol

[Snakesitter]

Lead?! ;-)

[fishingfool]

You know lead like the cancer metal

[Snakesitter]

I know what it is. :-) I just was surprised anyone still made hardware out of it!

[fishingfool]

Idk if they still do but zinc is also one they do use in screws and such but anyways I'm sure i hace a screw somewhere laying around that has lead in it lol