Hey,

Yesterday i bought a 12" Brazilian Rainbow Boa (approx 4-5 months old) for a christmas present for my little brother (whos 15). Real beautiful markings, seemed to be quite a happy chappy in the viv at the shop. The guy breeds them himself, its been on reserve for a few days as i wanted to see it feed. It took two pinkies no problem on friday afternoon.

He is currently in a plastic RUB with subtrate, moss box, water bowl and hide. Which is all inside a 3ft Viv.. Ive been advised to keep him in this until his a bit bigger. Temp is currently 84F (30c)

All of yesterday he spent burrowed into the subtrate. Does anyone know if this is typical behaviour? He isnt due a feed until next friday. Also how long should we leave him to settle until we can handle him?

yes a change of environment is very scary for a snake, and their natural defence is to hide. Brazils can be a bit hidey anyway - they are ground dwelling snakes. You need to leave him completely alone for 5 to 7 days to settle, then begin short handling sessions. he may well be a bit nippy to begin with so be prepared to deal with this.

does he have a hot end and cool end? also are you keeping it humid in there for him?

make sure you have the viv somewhere where there wont be too many people walking by or banging - this will unsettle him more xx

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The RUB's around 1ft long.. So ive got it in the centre of the viv, so there is a hot and cold end. Ah so thats normal for them? Just that in the shop he wasnt at all.

They like high hudidity? Would it be worth me buying some equipment to control that when the snake moves into the viv? Lucky Reptile Humidity Control II | Pets at Home

he will burrow and hide away , they are quite a shy snake anyway. before trying to handle i`d leave him a good 7 days , don`t forget to keep humidity high for these snakes and i`d get him into a small viv asap because they do like a hide of somekind and a seperate pot for live moss [if a wooden viv don`t forget to seal it] be very careful with a glass viv if your using a heat mat.
heres my CB2011 tho quite a lot older than yours , this one was number 4 for me.
they will also appreciate something to climb on all mine climb.
i`m really surprised these were recommended as a first time snake for a 15 year old because of the care involved , they aren`t an easy snake.