ETBs and ATBs

[Herpocrite]

I am completely in love with these guys and have started to look at them with an eye for getting one. I have some questions though.

1) How big do ETBs and ATBs get and what size enclosure is required when they're adults?

2) How is their temperment? Are they easily handleable? Can you tell what their adult temperment might be by what they are like as babies? Any advice for picking one out that will remain fairly calm?

3) What's the price tag on a really nice one (both ETBs and ATBs)?

4) Anything I should know about them before I actually make a purchase?


I probably won't be getting one for at least a couple months (I'm about to move and it just doesn't make sense) but I'd like to know what I'm looking for when I start looking. There seems to be a shortage of good info on these guys online and what little I know is from reading posts from you guys, so any and all information is helpful.

Thanks,
Herpocrite.

[SerpentLust]

I myself am actually getting 1.1 ATB's at the next expo and am just in the midst of gathering all the information.

The one thing you should know is that these are arboreal snakes (or semi-arboreal, depending on what you read) and they do require more height than your average ground dwelling snake.

Also they do have biiiig teeth. ATB's aren't as large as ETB's...but don't get one of these with the assumption that you can tame it down without taking a bite or two along the way.

From what I've seen of ATB's, and when I handled one of them, although they're nippy, they have bad aim and rarely bite their "branch", meaning if you are holding it, it may go for your face or other hand, but the one you're holding it with is pretty safe.

Hmm...I would definately recommend getting an ATB before an ETB, however, the choice is yours.

I personally don't believe in telling you, "OH THEY'RE MEAN, WATCH OUT" although that's what alot of caresheets say. If you love the snake, you love the snake. I know my new ATB's will most likely nip me a couple of times, but I also know that keeping these gorgeous snakes is worth it (although I may think differently when they're older ;) )

Jenn

[BoidKeeper]

1) Here is me holding a 4.5 year old male,
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/289cain_and_i_3-med.jpg
Some get bigger, some stay smaller. Either can live in a 27g high, a 33g, a 48g. Most prefer to build wooden or melamine cages that are 2x2x2.
2) CBB babies of both can become tame if bought young enough and you work with them. Most stay aggresive. I have a 1.1 pair of ATBs and the female is better then the male. As neonates they are all pretty snappy but can be worked with. Generally they start out bad and calm down so you can't really judge their adult temperment by their neonate temperment.
3) Not sure of the american market right now.
4)Lots! Do lots and lots of reading, these are not for everyone and you should have about a year or more experience with snakes before getting one. You don't want to get one and then have to get ride of it because your scared of it or what ever, that's not fair to the animal. There not like cars if you don't like the colour you can't take it back! lol
Cheers,
Trevor

[SerpentLust]

Good advice Trevor :) And that is one gorgeous snake you have

Do you have any pics of your ATB's? I would love to see them.

Jenn

[Janiman]

Here's a pic. of my yearling ATB. She's been tame from the start but she's a rarity. I have 2.2 adults that are LTC and I don't trust them at all. I atribute that to them being wild caught, but I know of plenty of CBB's that are still not trustable. My advice is, get them because you love them, good temperment or bad, but make sure you're prepared for it to be bad or you won't have it long.

That said, I love 'em!

[SerpentLust]

Damn Janiman, I can't get enough of your ATB :) Definately a beauty

[Invictus]

I think the Emeralds have an undeserved nasty reputation, much the same way as blood pythons do. I personally know more ETB owners who have calm ETBs than aggressive ones. ATBs, I think, have a bit more of a deserved reputation, but as you've seen here, getting a calm one is far from impossible. They are a beautiful snake regardless though, so as Janiman said, get them because you love them. More often than not, these are showcase snakes, not "lap snakes". :)

[SerpentLust]

*grins* Very true Invictus, the two I'm getting are quite young and their owner now handles them and has only been tagged once due to annoying the snake lol

I know I'm getting mine for the love of them. ATB's are amazing (almost as amazing as Spotties eh Invictus? ;) )

[BoidKeeper]

I don't have an y real good ATB pics but I do like this one,
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/289ATB_Cop_2-med.jpg
That pic was taken back in January I think.
This pics is much older.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/289atbf1_feeding_2-med.jpg
See the teeth!
Cheers,
Trevor