considering options..input please?

[Sharlynn93]

While we know we would like to aquire a GTP in the future, we have been discussing starting with something a little more intermediate...hubby has wanted a jungle for quite some time, what opinions, advice, and starter housing/equipment would be suggested? This isn't something we are going to get NOW but if we get something set up or at least have all the equipment then it would be nice in case we were to find a great deal somewhere...there is an expo this month we may go to if the weather isnt bad... (4-5 hr drive)...

[TheFrogman]

I cant give you intelligent input but, OMG there were some gorgeous GTP's at Repticon Baltimore, big and small.

[Mikoh4792]

While we know we would like to aquire a GTP in the future, we have been discussing starting with something a little more intermediate...hubby has wanted a jungle for quite some time, what opinions, advice, and starter housing/equipment would be suggested? This isn't something we are going to get NOW but if we get something set up or at least have all the equipment then it would be nice in case we were to find a great deal somewhere...there is an expo this month we may go to if the weather isnt bad... (4-5 hr drive)...


Just a basic guideline for carpets in my experience(my collection is comprised of mostly carpets)

-Hotspot near the 90's give or take a few degrees...I always like to go hotter(90-95F depending on enclosure size... I had a male that would utilize a 100f hotspot). Cool side and ambient temps should be around 80f. Brumation during the winter isn't really necessary unless you are planning on breeding. With that said I will still be brumating my carpets even if I won't be breeding them.

-Humidity is negligent unless it's really dry..my hydrometers always read 40% or more with the water bowl in the cage anyways. Perfect sheds without misting but I do mist from time to time just incase they appreciate it(they lap up the droplets on the walls)

-big cages with perches and hiding spots. I've never had a stressed out carpet in a big cage. Coincidentally, I did have a carpet not eat for a month since arrival in a small 12x12x18 exo terra.... but I'm not saying a huge enclosure is necessary, just better in my biased opinion.

- You don't "need" perches but all my carpets use them more often than not. It's also very nice to see them hanging in hunting position at night after the lights go off. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/morelia-spilota/104037-nothing-like-walking-into-room-full-hanging-morelia-pythons.html


Edit: forgot to add, they can take pretty large meals(some say they can eat prey 4x the width of the thickest part of their body.)

[Sharlynn93]

Awesome! Good info...I will start checking into stuff..never hurts to be prepared :)

[Sharlynn93]

Are they picky about perch sizes like the GTP's are?

[Mikoh4792]

Are they picky about perch sizes like the GTP's are?

Not at all. They just need something to sit on and they will adjust. If it's thin, they'll coil up like a gtp. If it's thick, they'll just sit as if they were on the ground.

Just a few examples of the same snake on different perches. Here she's on a thinner branch

https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1425717_1409959292575180_1414450910_n.jpg

and here on a thicker piece of wood

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1503853_1425569081014201_1880067098_n.jpg

and sometimes you'll find them in weird positions like this guy lol

https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1452361_1409959802575129_1010768978_n.jpg

[Mikoh4792]

double post

[Sharlynn93]

Sweet! Thanks so much! There was a nice sub adult female at the last expo. Hubby loved her...but we didn't have anything big enough to put her in so we passed...great temperment though. ..

[shaunyboy]

The More Complete Chondro,by Greg Maxwell.....

is pretty much the GTP Bible mate,it has all the info you'll ever need


cheers shaun

[Sharlynn93]

I do have a copy of the book...have read it a couple of times :) thanks!