starter arboreal

[bigjilm]

what is a good starter aboreal? I have a very nice (and tall) tank that i would love to fill with a tree dweller, any ideas?

[Ptindy]

Lizard, snake, invertebrate? Which one?

Mike

[bigjilm]

snake, pref. boa or python

[Ptindy]

Hmm...for a starter arboreal, that's tough. Most snakes that are purely arboreal are very demanding in husbandry (green tree python, Emerald tree boa) or very nasty and require skilled keepers (amazon tree boa). The amazon tree boa is a very cheap arboreal and some consider it the poor man's emerald tree boa. You could go with a carpet python, jungle carpets or irian jaya carpets, these are easy to keep, stay a managable size, aren't very expensive but they are semi-arboreal. When I had my JCP she would never sleep on the ground if a perch was provided. My irian jaya tends to stay more on the ground but can be found perched up. A purely arboreal species is not a good starter, I would go with a carpet python of some type personally. Hope that helps.

Mike

[bigjilm]

I'm a afraid a JCP may be too large, (up to 7'!) My tank measures 30l x 18w x 31t and I'd prefer a snake that would fit as an adult...

[Holy Mackerel]

Keep in mind that the tank you have may be too large for a neonate.

Also, arboreals require high humidity, which is not acheiveable with screen top tanks.

Steve

[Bartman]

Get a male irian jaya, no way he'll get to 7, not even close.

I agree though, most pure arboreal are very tough but carpets are relitively easy to care for.

[bistrobob85]

Yeah, an IJCP would defenetly do an excellent beginner arboreal snake...

[JonD]

Are you looking for something that you can take out and handle?

[bigjilm]

yeah, i should have mentioned that...it's really important that i'm able to handle the snake at least occasionally- i'm like a kid, if i like something i just have to touch it

[Holy Mackerel]

The IJCP I have experience with have all been tame. Also they don't have the same sort of humidity requirements that a strictly arboreal snake would have. Most IJCP do well with a large water bowl and occasional misting.

[Holy Mackerel]

Sorry, IJCP are generally tame as they get older. As a juvenile they may be a bit nippy, but not a major bite.


Steve

[Ptindy]

IJCP sounds like the right snake for you! Semi-arboreal, stay small like a big cornsnake haha, males especially, tame down as they grow, mine has never bitten, he's struck once but I knew he was going to and just stayed clear that day, and they are easy to keep if you do your researh. Check out the Morelia forum to find many pics of them. Here's a good caresheet to get to know if this species is right for you.
http://www.acreptiles.com/carpet_python_care.htm

Mike

[JonD]

Originally posted by Ptindy
IJCP sounds like the right snake for you! Semi-arboreal, stay small like a big cornsnake haha, males especially, tame down as they grow, mine has never bitten, he's struck once but I knew he was going to and just stayed clear that day, and they are easy to keep if you do your researh. Check out the Morelia forum to find many pics of them. Here's a good caresheet to get to know if this species is right for you.
http://www.acreptiles.com/carpet_python_care.htm

Mike
I completely agree with Mike.

With any of the arboreal boas, they tend to bite. There are ones that don't, but it might be 1 out of 10(note: this number was pulled outta my a$$):D IJ or Paupans will fit your needs just right..