I've set my mind on a GTP. Help!

[SuperSleuth]

I have a red tail and a BRB, and now have finally begged my husband enough that he's caved and will let me have another snake. I really want a GTP but I don't know enough about them to go out and buy one yet. I did see someone recommend The Totak Chondros (I think that's the name?) and will go look for it tomorrow. As owners yourselves, what quirks or little known facts do your GTPs have? Any husbandry tips would be helpful, as well as common problems associated with them.

I 'think' I would like one with blue tones, so what breedings should I be looking for as well as what price range am I looking at? Lastly, can anyone recommend a breeder or a good place to find a healthy GTP? I'm coming up empty so far.

[Mikoh4792]

I think you're referring to " The More Complete Chondro" by Greg Maxwell.

They're easy to keep, they're just more sensitive to husbandry errors than other snakes. If I could give one piece of advice, I'd say the easiest way of maintaining humidity is a low ventilation enclosure with a large water bowl. You don't need to mist them down all the time or have a fogger.

[Mikoh4792]

And they become heat seeking missiles at night lol.

[Lankyrob]

And they become heat seeking missiles at night lol.

This. Only open the viv after dusk for feeding, the rest of the day I could do cage maintenance etc with no worries about losing any blood.

Would recommend having a viv set up for a good week or so with perfect temps and humidity before introducing the snake.

Also I would provide a good 4x2x2 foot viv as they're more active than you may think!

[SuperSleuth]

Thank you guys! I went to a couple local bookstores and they were out so I will have to look it up on Amazon. I'm also considering an Emerald Tree Boa but a GTP is my first choice.

[nick654377]

look at the teeth on a ETB before you concider getting one of those over a GTP

[jpsteele80]

look at the teeth on a ETB before you concider getting one of those over a GTP

Not only that but an ETB isn't nearly as hardy as a GTP

[SuperSleuth]

Good to know Nick and JPS! I came across an ETB a couple of days ago at a reptile store in Austin. It looks like they take good care of their snakes and they have a very young ETB for sale. It's been in the back because it hasn't really eaten since they got it in... They offered it to me at a reduced price ($200) but I don't really want to buy a snake that I know I'll probably end up force feeding(which they did last week so it would eat something).

[shaunyboy]

I think you're referring to " The More Complete Chondro" by Greg Maxwell.

They're easy to keep, they're just more sensitive to husbandry errors than other snakes. If I could give one piece of advice, I'd say the easiest way of maintaining humidity is a low ventilation enclosure with a large water bowl. You don't need to mist them down all the time or have a fogger.

Greg's book is pretty much the Green Tree Bible

i highly recommend it


cheers shaun

[Big_V]

That ETB would be wild caught for that price and loaded with parasites. A lot of ETBs just drop dead. So I would switch my search to a US CBB chondro. Dont go looking on that K site for them as most will just be farmed imports with similar issues.
Check out MVF forum, read everything Matt and David Newman wrote, this is the new age bible just posted last week.

Green Tree Python Husbandry - The Basics Forum (http://moreliaviridis.yuku.com/forums/93/Green-Tree-Python-Husbandry-The-Basics#.U2kYRvldXQg)

[David VB]

I can recommend one thing : do not feed them too much nor too large. They're very sensitive and are known to have pro laps more easily than other species. One of mine did have it and luckily all went well with him. I feed less big rats now and for now he's doing fine. As for the rest, i mist them every day (sometimes skipping a day) and the enclosure dries up within 24hours. Highest temp in there is 30°C, they really don't need higher.

Hope you get one and can enjoy it soon ;)

Greetz.

Btw, some localities are more defensive than others (like my 2 Biaks^^)