Its been decided

[Bartman]

Alright, I know it’s a bit early to post this now, but ive decided that I want to get a pair of chondros. My goal is to acquire a 1.1 pair by the end of my school year, so that’s about 7 or 8 months?, and not buy anything until I get that pair. Ive had my heart set on them since I got into this hobby, but they’ve always been out of reach financially.

I had a few pre-questions, before I take a dive :D

If you got a pair of babies, what’s the price range you'd be looking at?

I’m sure I could get a pair of babies for 1500, but do prices get any lower?

Like with most snakes, will any chondro "tame" down with handling, not that I really care, but it'd be nice :D

That’s all I can think of now...I’m going to pick up a couple books over the next little while and begin reading up on them.





Just a thought, what would be easier/better/etc? Getting ETB's or GTP's, or is really just personal preference?

Thanks!

[Ptindy]

You don't need a couple books Bartman, you need "A" book, The Complete Chondro by Greg Maxwell. I'm planning on getting one this spring as well. They sure are eye catchers.

Mike

[Bartman]

Ill keep an eye out for that book. Thanks!!

[Brent Strande]

First off, Chondros are Morelia Viridis, not Corallus Caninus. There's quite a difference. Be sure to start doing some research.

Honestly Adam, chondros are awesome snakes, but it sounds like they may not be exactly what you want in a snake. You want to know if you can 'tame' it down with handling. For the first 6 months to a year you really shouldn't handle your chondro more than absolutely necessary.

I think that it's awesome that you want these, but you should really look into it first. Buy Greg Maxwell's book "The Complete Chondro" and read it cover to cover... twice. If you're willing to spend ~$1,500 on a pair of snakes, you should have NO PROBLEM putting out $50 for an amazing tool that'll help in keeping them.

Also, just so that you're aware, chondros are in a whole different league than ball pythons, corns, and bci. You will need to be very strict with a chondro if you want it to be an optimal experience. Again, not saying that you should or shouldn't, but keep in mind that it's a lot more money now. What if you end up wanting to get rid of them again like many of your other critters? You may end up out a lot more money than you'd like.

If you do go ahead, Congratulations!!! Chondros are very rewarding and you WILL love them, that I don't doubt. Just be sure to do a lot of research before you jump in with both feet!

[Bartman]

I plan on doing 8 months of research :) Thanks for the concern. I deffinetly want to know if its something I want to get into, before I spend a ton of cash on them.

The tame question, I just shot out there to just know if its like any other snake, but as I mentioned, that is by far the least of my concern :D

[Brent Strande]

www.finegtps.com
http://www.finegtps.com/Book.htm
www.chondroweb.com
www.chondroforum.com

[Brent Strande]

You may want to contact a mod and see if they could move this to the Morelia Viridis forum so that you could get opinions of a few more chondroheads as well...

I'm sure that you can 'tame' one down somewhat, but is it worth trying if it runs the risk of kinking the spine? I have had my chondro since July and have only been tagged once, on the first day. He has never bit since, but I've also only handled him 3 times. I've moved him on his perch many other times, but only a few times did I have him 'crawl around' on me.

Personally I'd rather watch him coiled or cruising his perches in the enclosure than out climbing on my shoulder...

[Bartman]

Really, there is a risk of injury? I had no idea. Do you know why that is?

[Brent Strande]

They're tiny and fragile.

A chondro egg is the size of a robin's egg.

That's why you should NEVER buy a young chondro if it has been sexed. Both popping and probing risk kinking the spine and it doesn't show up always right away...

If you find a breeder who offers to sex an animal that is under 6 months (preferably at least a year) TURN AROUND AND WALK AWAY!!!

When they're born they're about the size of a pencil... not something that you want to mess around with any more than necessary... Can you imagine trying to unwrap if from it's perch?

[HeatherRose]

I moved this to the Morelia Viridis forum for you Adam, you should get the answers you're looking for here.

:)

[bistrobob85]

Well it will sure be a good thing you make some researches!! I've had a look at that book, ''The complete Chondro'' and the pics were so beautiful it made me think about getting myself one or two ( but i'm defenetly more into ETBs at the moment! )... GTPs, ATBs and ETBs are display animals, not pets. They have a fragile body and relatively fragile system but still, they are an ever amazing eye-candy. I'm constantly amazed by my two ETBs and i'm pretty sure you would feel the same as i do with your GTPs!!! Good luck!

phil.