proper tank size for BRB?

I have a growing brb who was about 33 inches several feedings ago. He is currently in a 5 1/2 gal tank, which seems small to me. And yes, I have saran wrap over some of the top to keep humidity appropriate. I initially chose this tank as I was told the young ones do better with very small enclosures, but this is growing. When/if should I graduate him to a bigger tank? How long is he likely to be stressed after a switch? And I'm still looking for good care sheets for these guys!

I'm assuming this is a troll....

if not, then 5.5 gal is far too small for a brb! I'd say go with a 20-30 gal long by now. You dont put saran wrap over the entire enclosure or it'd cut off fresh air.

I'm not a BRB expert, so I'll stop there.

No troll- new owner. Its not a full grown brb, the saran is not over the whole top, and like I said, when I first got the snake, I was told smaller is better. I will move him ASAP.

a 5 1/2 gallon tank??? This snake is almost 3 feet long, its no longer a baby! You will need a 40 g breeder or a 55 g which should be it's permanent home.

Yes the wrap over a portion of the top will help somewhat with keeping in moisture, I've also found that a large water dish on the warm side and a smaller water bowl on the cooler side is the best way to keep up the humidity. The evaporation from the warm side is great for that. Additionally, I use a log hide stuffed with damn spagnum moss and an automatic misting system (these can be bought for $40-50) set to mist every 4 hours. Also, back off the lighting...when I used a 100W bulb I noticed the humidity would spike down severely between mistings as the air was drying out quickly and the warm side was over 90 degrees (way too hot), I backed off into a 50W the next week and I see temps of about 82 on the warm side and 84% humidity which spikes to 90% during spray sessions. You are going to need to pay attention to the substrate and logs for fungus growth at these levels because moisture = bacteria. I change bedding about 3 times more often with this species.

Originally Posted by demoniendin

I'm assuming this is a troll....

First clue...Most trolls do not make it 3 years as a member without being discovered already. Second clue...Most trolls don't become contributing members.

Originally Posted by demoniendin

I'm not a BRB expert, so I'll stop there.

Probably a better idea then ASSuming someone's a troll, when they are just asking for advice.



Lisa, many cage manufacturers offer a 3 ft or 4 ft plastic at a pretty reasonable prices these days. Something like that should last a BRB for several years. The cages themselves last a lifetime. Try Rich at reptile basics. He's got some good stuff, and he'll be helpful if you have any questions. He's a good guy.

Although MANY Boa, not just BRB, will feel more secure in a smaller cage as a neonate, a large cage will do as well, as long as you place a lot of hiding spots in there.


Good luck!
Rick

Lisa its good to see someone not afraid to ask for help. There is no such thing as a dumb question, just a stupid remark, right Demoniendin. There are alot of good plastics out. I feel the plastics hold the humidity really well. You want a cage big enough for a hide box ,water tray, and have room to stretch out and move around. If you ever have a question or a problem, this place is packed full of good people who are always willing to help and give advise. Good luck with your brb, they are truly beautiful.

Rick

hey dont jump on me because there tend to be trolls online. If you noticed, I also gave some advice. I just 5.5 gal seemed extremely small for a BRB. I may not be an expert, but I've done my fair share of research as I was planning on getting one for myself at one point then decided against it.


I apologize OP for asking if you were a troll, but the fact is that I did give you a couple of tips. It was more of me thinking out loud.

The others that decided to call me an ass and such, thats not extremely mature of you, now is it?

also, here are a couple caresheets I found really quick off google:

http://www.reptileguru.com/pdf/Brazi...bow%20Boas.pdf
http://www.unicornunchained.com/snak...nbow_care.html
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/CareBRB.html

Great advice, thanks all! I had found the 2nd and 3rd care sheets myself, but only the first actually said to start with a 29 gal tank, and one said shoe boxes for babies, so the 5.5, while to my inexperienced eye looked way too small, I deffered to the info that was available to me. He will be moving to a 20 long tank this weekend, when I come back from out of town, and I have earmarked a 45 gal for him in a year or two. I'm amazed he's still happy with me despite his living quarters. Also, I think I had mentioned in a previous post his tank, and no one screamed at me then. Luckily I've only had him a few months, so I'm very glad to getting some good care info now. This is one resilient little guy! Course this whole situation may explain his lack of expected nippiness, he's just so happy to get to stretch when I take him out. I'm guessing he'll be a totally diff animal in his new digs. And yes, I'm proud to be a contrib member of fauna for however long I keep herps!

Andrew...Wasn't jumping on you IMO. You know the saying...
when you ASSUME, you make an ASS out of U and ME.
Not calling you an ass, just saying you were making yourself look that way.

But you are trying to be helpful, so I'll be nice. A better example of trolls would be the Jedi twins, Bruce Stephenson, and Bud Mierky. Prime examples actually.


Rick