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rubi
Hatchling
United Kingdom
374 Posts |
 Posted - 24/01/2014 : 12:58:53
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Hi guys, i have been looking at rainbow boas for a while now and made the mistake of holding one when in local rep shop today (man they are strong), and now i have really fallen in love with them. I have had a look at the rainbow boa forum and will prob register at some point. Just wondering how owners of them find then. temperament size (been told average 4-5 foot, but seen several a lot bigger?), how easy to look after (know need specific humidity), handling, whether to get adult or hatchling (heard can be bitty) size of in-closure etc.. Any pics would be appreciated to :)
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3315 Posts |
Posted - 24/01/2014 : 16:50:16
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The rainbow boa forum is a good idea  Lots of gorgeous pictures and lovely helpful people on there too
It depends what type of rainbow boa you are most interested in as there are a few different ones. Brazilians are my favourite, I was waiting on a baby this year but unfortunately the litter was aborted due to storms  |
2.4.0 Corn snakes
1.0.0 horse
0.1.0 Golden retriever
1.4.0 Guinea pigs |
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lupi lou
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3670 Posts |
Posted - 24/01/2014 : 20:54:02
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| They are stunning I'd love one. I had the opertunity to hold both an adult and hatchie BRB which were beautiful if only I'd had the money and the space.I have also had a hold of the peruvian and they are smaller but still a lovely looking snake in their own right and as to be said I wouldn't say no to one of them either! |
 
1.0.1 Corns
0.1.0 Dog: springer
1.0.0 Horse
0.4.0 Gerbils
2.2.0 Leopard gecko
0.2.0 Cave gecko |
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rubi
Hatchling
United Kingdom
374 Posts |
Posted - 24/01/2014 : 21:34:22
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| Oh i didnt know was different ones i thought all were brazilian lol. Learnt something else always helpful. Yeah they are stunning snakes. :) |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2014 : 08:52:21
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There are several different locality rainbows, and they are all slightly different in colouring (although the patterning is very similar). Brazilians are the most popular as they are the bright orangey red. Colombians lose their pattern as they get older and end up a fairly patternless brown snake so are much less popular, but they still keep their lovely iridescence and are also said to be the least nippy and they stay a litle smaller than the Brazilians. We've had Prism since she was a month old, and although we had a nightmare with feeding for the first year, having to assist a lot of the time, she never even attempted to bite us. Now though she is an amazing feeder (nothing changed in her setup so I don't know why she wouldn't feed before), and I certainly wouldn't put my hand in the viv smelling of rat now lol! I keep meaning to do an update on her actually, I will have to do so when I can get my son off the other PC, then you'll be able to see the loss of her pattern over the last 18 months. I believe all the other rainbows keep their patterning (but am not certain), the Paraguayan and Peruvian are both pretty too.
Over the summer we would see Prism cruising her viv every evening, these days we don't see her at all! But I'm hoping that changes come the warmer months again. They are definitely nocturnal however, not a display snake as they are quite shy. I haven't seen Blackcat on here recently, but she has both BRB's and CRB's so could give you better info on their differences.
Oh, we are assuming a 4x2x2 plastic viv for her final enclosure. The plastic ones are much more expensive, but due to the humidity requirements we don't want to use wood. She is in a large glass exo terra currently, but of course heat insulation is a pain with glass, plus they don't go big enough for final size. |
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Edited by - smart bunny on 25/01/2014 08:55:03 |
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rubi
Hatchling
United Kingdom
374 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2014 : 12:57:05
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| Ok thankyou went to see them again today turns out they are columbian rainbows but very lovelly snake handled both and very happy to be handled. They are a pair the shop has had since hatchlings eating shedding etc well. Only thing I'm concerned about is they are male and female and been cohabitated since birth. Female had babies last year but still born due to umbilical cord being wrapped around the body. I have read guidelines for breeding and I would say she didn't meet them looks under the 5 foot to me (but can't say about weight). Obviously could already be carrying. They both seem healthy otherwise. What are your opinions on this? I thought if get would seperate them into seperate vivs and then breed when feel happy about size etc and have got more knowledge. Or are they ok to cohabit? |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2014 : 14:34:12
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Poor thing, sounds a bit early to me - but then Colombians often only get to about 4ft so maybe she was mature enough? The cohabbing rules would be exactly the same as for a corn snake - except I think RB's usually shouldn't be bred until a bit older, 4yrs, from what I have read (hence why I suspect she was a bit young). In other words I wouldn't, but others do, etc etc blah blah blah!! Over on the rainbow boa forum Cliff has already had his litters for this year in December time, so she may well be fine at the moment, but obviously as with corns I expect there is always the possibility of litters at funny times of the year.
Moppet, so sorry to hear things went wrong with the litter you were hoping to buy from :( |
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rubi
Hatchling
United Kingdom
374 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2014 : 14:58:02
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Yeah I don't know age tbh but said had a while didn't ask age though I forgot that question. Looking at getting a stack moving beasties into bottom 2 and then the boas in top two as I would seperate them and then maybe breed in future. They were very relaxed snakes and really do love them.
Moppet would you nt recomed wood then as stack looking at would be wooden I prefer the look of wooden ones as well. |
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3315 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2014 : 15:03:37
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Thanks smart bunny. I was gutted, been waiting for a baby from that pairing for nearly a year and a half! I want a high red BRB and that was my best option. *sigh* always next year I suppose and it means I can concentrate on my corns for a bit.
Rubi, I also prefer the look of the wooden ones but rainbow boas need high humidity which destroys them really quite quickly. I was going to test it out with an old cheap wooden melamine viv and seal it all up very well with silicone to see how long it lasted. That way I would know for when I got a big adult viv whether it would be worth doing that and just replacing them when necessary or buying a posh plastic one (which are very expensive and imho don't look as nice). |
2.4.0 Corn snakes
1.0.0 horse
0.1.0 Golden retriever
1.4.0 Guinea pigs |
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rubi
Hatchling
United Kingdom
374 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2014 : 15:46:43
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| ok thank you i will have a think about that as if get them will need to get a stack as wont fit in otherwise and cant really afford to much. Will hvae a look see if can seal and protect it somehow. |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2014 : 16:07:32
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I know others have totally sealed all internal wood with yacht varnsih, then conctructed the viv, then sealed again all the joins with aquarium sealant. Not sure how well it works, but I guess it should be OK if done carefully enough.
Awww Moppet, I knew you were waiting - didn't realise it had been that long though! :( |
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3315 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2014 : 17:19:52
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Yacht varnish is a good idea. Perhaps that would work for a while.
Yeah smartbunny, it's been ages!! It's my own fault for being so picky but I LOVE the high red BRBs and if I can only have one (which at the moment is all OH will let me get and even that is reluctantly...) then that's what I want It's given me time to save up and do loads of research though so maybe it's a good thing in the end. |
2.4.0 Corn snakes
1.0.0 horse
0.1.0 Golden retriever
1.4.0 Guinea pigs |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 26/01/2014 : 23:34:20
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Love my Rainbow Boas
Haven't been on here for ages (smart bunny you are too observant)
smart bunny is true about them not being display snakes - I only ever see mine when I get them out or if I skip a feed week and they think they are hungry.
I have been tagged by both of my BRB's but my CRB's are so chilled and have never offered to bite.
My BRB's are in plastic vivs but my CRB's are in wooden vivs which I coated with yacht varnish and then sealed the joints with silicone. These are holding out well to the humidity
I have no problems in maintaining humidity - have large water bowls in warm end of viv and moist hides both ends.
The rainbow forum is good, but not frequented much (note to self to go pay a visit) and snakesitter is very knowledgable.
If you are on face book there are some really good rainbow groups which are frequented by some highly knowledgable breeders who will give invaluable advice (snakesitter being one of them)
My beautiful female BRB Ruby
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0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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rubi
Hatchling
United Kingdom
374 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2014 : 10:58:30
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| thank you black cat Ruby is gorgeous. I prefer the colours of the BRB but the temperaments of the 2 CRB'S I had were amazing so chilled out despite not knowing my scent. Had both and none point on on each arm lol. I would prefer the wooden vis. Looking at getting a 4 viv stack so can separate the 2 CRBs and move the 2 beardies into it as well. (would also give me 2 spare vivs that could be dangerous, but helpful just in case the CRB is pregnant). Going to ring up to day find out how much of a deposit would need and also how long can hold for so can get the vivs etc sorted. |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2014 : 12:23:06
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Moppet you will get your BRB and it will be worth the wait, they are stunning creatures 
I would love to get examples of other Rainbow Boas but lack of space does not permit and if I want to breed my CRB's, it looks like they are both female, thus I would need to acquire a male - another viv
It is always dangerous having empty vivs, I have an empty 3', but keep it that way just incase.
Rubi, I really hope that the female is not gravid again, she is unlikely to have put enough condition back on from last years stilborn litter.
Good luck if you do decide to buy them, they are very much an under rated snake |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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rubi
Hatchling
United Kingdom
374 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2014 : 13:17:11
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| yeah that's one thing that worries me, if i get her and is pregnant and has issues. I dont know alot about what size should be etc but she didnt seem under nourished and is still eating at the moment. I think will def get one just not sure if will be these two although they are gorgeous and both me and partner loved them lol |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2014 : 14:04:39
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Eating is a good sign.
Can you get the shop to weigh them?
My two are early cb12 and weigh around 400g and 500g, probably a little on the light side, but I am very cautious when moving up feed size and thus they are generally fed food on the small side.
My female BRB who is nearly 3, weighs approx 1000g (1Kg), again prob on the light side and my male who is 2 weighs approx 600g.
Not sure on breeding weights of CRB's, but do know that BRB females should be around 1.8Kg or above (from memory).
The still born neonates from last year are highly likely to be due to her not being mature enough or not having good enough condition, along with stress if the male was still in the same viv as her.
Hope this helps a little with what ever decision you make.
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0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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rubi
Hatchling
United Kingdom
374 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2014 : 14:23:23
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| Thank you any i am after as much info as possible. Yeah im sure they would weigh i would say they were 3.5 foot long possibly 4 foot and certainly well rounded but no idea what weight is. I will see what info i can get from them. |
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rubi
Hatchling
United Kingdom
374 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2014 : 14:27:23
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| I will also see if can get a picture of them both see what you guys thing. it honestly wouldnt surprise me if were close to the 1k mark tbh, but i am useless at judging weight lol |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2014 : 15:26:28
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I have no idea on length of any of mine and would be useless at judging weight too.
At a guess Ruby must be just over 4 foot and Indigo not far behind, just not as bulky round the girth yet.
I will try and get some photos of me with them in my hands to try and give you an idea of size - can't promise when as I am useless at taking photos, at least they are due to be fed tomorrow or wed so you stand a chance. |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 28/01/2014 : 13:54:06
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Ooooh how bizarre, you must have recevied a psychic nudge that rainbows were being discussed Blackcat lol! Wow, Prism is really catching your guys up (now she's realised eating is actually fun lol!). She's 400g now!
Rubi, I found a recent pic of her in her hide in Dec 13 - she refused point blank to come out for a photo shoot lol! She also has a larger hide now
Just for comparison, this is how patterned she was at 1 month old! (the above pic she was 18 months)
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Rainbow boas?
