[General Care] Pros and Cons of BRBs

[Mr. Esterhouse]

I'm planning on getting a Brazilian Rainbow. Before I pull the trigger, I wanted any advice from the RTB community regarding BRBs. Can any owners or former owners give me info on whether or not they recommend them? Thanks in advance.

[b3napoleon]

Re: Pros and Cons of BRBs

I kept Cuban Boas, which are in the same family, for 7 years. They aren't really any different from RTBs in regards to care. The major difference is humidity. A BRB needs a humidity around 80%. An aquarium isn't the best choice because of their humidity requirements. I kept mine in sterilite tubs with UTHs and t-stats. I highly recommend them, they're beautiful snakes. Make sure to post pics when you get one!

[dangles]

Re: Pros and Cons of BRBs

I've got a brb and LOVE her. Everyone I show my collection to picks her as their favorite.

As for husbandry requirements, compared to a bci, the humidity is higher and the temp range is lower, but not by much. As babies, the humidity needs to be very high. They recommend somewhere near 95. As they grow, you can decrease it to around 70 MINIMUM. Temp range should be 77ish cool side, 85-90 hotspot.

I'd say there are no cons to getting one as long as you don't do the aquarium thing. Mine is in a rack. I don't need to do anything extra for humidity.

[MLynch]

Re: Pros and Cons of BRBs

I have a male BRB (born May '09), and this is my second - My first was about 25 years ago.

They are great snakes and very gentle. As Chris mentioned above they have specific requirements, but as long as you keep their temps and humidity where they should be you're good to go.

BRB babies have a reputation for being nippy. My first BRB was like this, my current has always been extremely docile - even the day he arrived via FedEx. Handling is the only way to win over the heart and mind of a nippy BRB - but then that applies to pretty much any snake. If your BRB baby is nippy the key thing is to not put it down, or back in its cage if you get tagged. This will only teach it that this behavior works and that it will get what it wants. If you keep handling it will eventually learn (and pretty quickly) that this type of action does not get any results. It will also learn not to fear the BIG HAND.

Some folks say that BRBs can be picky eaters. My first one always ate on feeding day - never any problems. This one eats fine, but he had to teach me that he likes to eat at night with the lights out. ...They are nocturnal animals after all.

I would recommend a well concealing hide, and if it's low to the ground than it's even better. My BRBs have always seemed to like hides that were tight fits. I would also recommend vines or branches to climb on - they are semi arboreal. Samson likes to come out ant night and hang out in, and climb on his vines. Last week he actually took his food from up in the vines. He picked it up from the floor of the tank and ate it up there... pretty cool!

They are beautiful animals! They are leaner than RTBs, and much more active when being handled. Samson is all over the place when he's out... checking this out, checking that out, climbing, exploring. It's a lot of fun. just keep an eye on them if you let them out of your hands. They have a knack for finding places they shouldn't.

Good luck, and I can offer the name of an excellent BRB breeder if you decide to buy.

[satyra]

Re: Pros and Cons of BRBs

babies can be nippy sometimes and need higher humidity, but they are good snakes, just buy from someone reputable who will be honest about their temperaments and history

[thatonegirl]

Re: Pros and Cons of BRBs

I think others pretty much covered it as far as husbandry and care requirements. But I just wanted to chime in, I have a peruvian rainbow boa, (which is just a different locality) and she has been a wonderful snake!

I got lucky I guess shes easily one of the most docile snakes we own. Shes super curious and always active at night. She eats like a machine. And when shes sleepy, she hides under the water bowl, the tighter she can squeeze herself under it the better...

they're beautiful animals...if you decide to get one make sure you post pictures!
we need more BRB's

[HYPOHADES]

Re: Pros and Cons of BRBs

awesome snakes to own,very beautiful color and pattern...I currently have a male and female brb,I have one that is in a neodeshia,holds heat good and humidity,I have my other one in a 55 gallon tank that holds heat and humidity just as good as the neo..all I do is have the plastic used to cover windows in the winter over enough of the lid and enough for the air to get in and spray twice a day and it is warm enough and humidity stays at a minimum of 77 to 80...they shed perfect every time,eat great even during shed and are very healthy...I always here how hard it is to keep heat and humidity in these glass tanks,but I never had a problem doing so..my rtb is also in a glass tank,I did the same thing to that one with the plastic and it is well warm enough and humidity is around 65,depending on how you mist the inside..I do not find any problems with the glass enclosures...rtb sheds perfect every time also..I have never had a broken or stuck shed ever.....BRB's are awesome.....Mike

[MLynch]

Re: Pros and Cons of BRBs

To be fair BRBs shed like any other snake. My BRB's first shed with me was complete, but it came off in pieces - The second came off in one piece, but I don't expect that every time. My first BRB usually shed in one piece as well, but there were several instances of him shedding in pieces too. And there was even the one time I needed to help him shed, by soaking him and then assisting in removing the portions that did not come off first time around.

So, I appreciate Mike's enthusiasm, but they really don't shed any better or worse than any other sake.