Rainbow boas questions.

[evilbob200]

I have some questions about my brazilian rainbow boa, if you have any helpful input please post it. Well, my rainbow boa is about 4-5 months old and is a male. What would be the best substrate to use? I have heard sphagnum moss and reptibark are both good options. He is very nippy right now, i suppose this is due to stress. Is it wise to wear gloves when handling him? I have heard that sometimes gloves are not a good idea. What is an ideal size enclosure for him? Right now he is in a 29 gallon rubbermaid tub. If anyone has any other advice for me or anything please feel free t add that in your post.

 

[Raindog]

A 29 gallon is fine, when he get's older and looks a bit crowded go for a vision or boaphile. People overthink substrate for most snakes, the best you can give him is newspaper or paper towels. I use the latter but both are easy to change. I don't see a need to use gloves to handle any snake, particularly NV. Use your best judgement and be gentle with the animal, most bites are due to ignoring one or both of these principles.

 

[apadora]

more...

I would say a 29 gallon is way too big for a 4-5 month old epicrates (probably under two feet still, right?). When I bred rainbows, I kept juvies and yearlings in shoeboxes and sweater boxes for the first year or two. I would suggest a ten gallon with a secure lid. Provide supplemental heat to one side with a hide and the water dish on the cooler side. Keep the warmest part of the tank (right above the heat tape) at about 90 degrees. A good hide for a baby rainbow is a small tupperware container with a little moist moss and a hole cut in the top so the snake can crawl in. You want the hide small enough so the snake fits snugly. Snakes don't like big open spaces, they prefer tight fitting secure hides.

hope that helps,
gabriel