Learning about Rosys.

[Kibaspirit]

I have never owned a snake before, but I have a real interest in owning one. Ball pythons are cute, but they get too big for my taste. From what I've read on rosys, they are a good size and temperament. This said, I really don't know too much about them. Would this be a good snake for a beginner?

Thanks.

[alessia55]

Yes, in my opinion, they are good for beginners. Good size, good temperament, good eaters, and relatively easy care. Have you looked at care sheets already? Let us know if you have any specific questions :)

[Pareeeee]

I have had a Rosy Boa since last October. He is such a friendly and calm snake. At approximately 3 years old, he is 27 inches long.

I have heard that females are a little bitey but not sure how true that is.

I feed mine 1 live mouse every 7 days at the moment. Look at online caresheets - they are very handy! Rosy Boas require a dry, desert-like environment.

[Kibaspirit]

Do I have to feed them live mice? It would be preferable if I could feed them frozen. Also, is there a difference between captive and wild caught?

[Lankyrob]

It is best to feed them frozen prey if they will take it, most will but there are a few stubborn ones that wont.

Captive bred is preferable for many reasons, mainly that you are taking something from its natural ecosystem, but also you know what the parents are like, how big they are, colouring etc, there is much less risk of parasites, you know the health history of the animal etc etc

[alessia55]

Do I have to feed them live mice? It would be preferable if I could feed them frozen. Also, is there a difference between captive and wild caught?

Yes, you can feed them f/t mice. You'll want to get one that is captive bred and born (CBB) so that it won't have parasites or other possible issues that come with wild caught snakes.

[Kibaspirit]

Alright. I understand that there are several subspecies of the rosy (like mexican). Which are the most docile, most cheap, smallest?

[alessia55]

Alright. I understand that there are several subspecies of the rosy (like mexican). Which are the most docile, most cheap, smallest?

Docile: it depends on the snake. With proper handling, any rosy can tame down and be docile.
Cheapest: your best bet is to go to a reptile expo or talk to a breeder and see which ones they offer and at what prices.
Smallest: as far as I know, all rosy boas are the same size.

This book (http://www.amazon.com/Gerold-Merker-Randy-Limburg-Montoya/dp/0983278903/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1340038464&sr=8-2&keywords=rosy+boa) has some really good info about rosy boas... and really incredible photos.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51g053Yj4sL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[snake man12]

This is a mid baja
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g361/412bro/12images.jpg

This is a coastal
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g361/412bro/13images.jpg

[Kibaspirit]

I will definitely check out that book, thanks!

[Slcburm]

This was the first ever snake I owned and he was great. very easy to care for, very docile and doesnt get too big. I highly recommend this as a beginner snake

[drewkore]

Coastal rosys are the largest, with the Anza Borrego being the biggest. Triv triv, or the mexican rosy, is the smallest. Also probably the least likely to bite.

[Kibaspirit]

Thanks for all the replies!

[Shmoges]

I have had several Rosy localities and I know every snake is different but our Anza Borregos were always the most bitey and best eaters followed by the pioneer towns and then the ortiz.

[Caylan]

Out of all our localities, our mexicans and our hualapi mountain's were the most docile. They also looked the coolest too :D

[Kibaspirit]

How about humidity and that? If I got a Mexican rosy boa, how is the typical cage setup with heat lamps and that?

[snake man12]

I would suggest a heat mat with a thermostat and a light to keep humidity down

[Kibaspirit]

So, they prefer low humidity? Does a light need to be on at all times?

[snake man12]

No not at night. And only in the day 12 to fourteen hours

[Pareeeee]

Yes, they need it very dry since they are desert animals. Some say supply a water dish only about 3 days a week, others keep one in all the time. They will get respiratory infections if the humidity is too high.

PS: don't use sand as substrate. I thought it was a good idea when I first got my rosy, but it turns out it's bad for their scales, and they can accidentally injest it while eating

[snake man12]

Also in regards to the water dish there could be a very small one all the time.

[drewkore]

In an aquarium with a screen top, a water dish on the cool side at all times is perfectly acceptable. I am of the opinion that the "rosys need it dry" idea is overdone. In the wild they still find cool humid crevices etc... They don't spend all their time out in the dry areas. You will find that some individuals will utilize, and in fact spend a great deal of time in humid hides. Some almost never use them. In 15+ years of keeping rosys I have had zero respiratory infections, knock on wood ;) Just my 2 cents

[snake man12]

In an aquarium with a screen top, a water dish on the cool side at all times is perfectly acceptable. I am of the opinion that the "rosys need it dry" idea is overdone. In the wild they still find cool humid crevices etc... They don't spend all their time out in the dry areas. You will find that some individuals will utilize, and in fact spend a great deal of time in humid hides. Some almost never use them. In 15+ years of keeping rosys I have had zero respiratory infections, knock on wood ;) Just my 2 cents

That is not necessarily true that they will have a cool humid place to spend some time, if she does get a Mexican rosy boa it would most likely be from the Baja area which is extremely dry and hot with little vegetation. :cool:

[drewkore]

I am not here to argue, just sharing my first hand knowledge. In my experience, rosys do not thrive in very dry conditions with no access to a humid hide. Don't misinterpret what I am saying. Of course they don't have rain forest humidity Baja. But they hide most of the day, away from the sun, in cooler, damper areas.

[drewkore]

Continuing. Are there times when conditions don't exist to allow a cooler, more humid escape from the dry heat? Sure that is likely. But there are also times when no food is available for long periods. Does this mean we should subject our captive animals to this as well to better simulate wild conditions? I don't believe so. As I said before, you will find some individuals rarely use humid hides in captivity, but I believe they need the option in order to thrive.

[Kibaspirit]

Is it recommended for me to have a second box to feed them in even if i am only feeding them frozen mice?

[drewkore]

There are many who disagree but I feel it is an unnecessary effort to feed in a separate container.

[Pareeeee]

Boaz, my rosy, will not eat in his enclosure. He will kill, then shove it in the corner and act as if to say "what do I do with it now? I don't know how to eat it wedged in there."

I don't think he'd get along in the wild very well, lol...

He has to be put in the rubbermaid tub to be fed. You may find that yours will eat fine in its enclosure, every snake is different. Just be careful that he does not swallow any substrate with his meal if you feed him in-cage.