Green Tree Boa

[MSG]

Just wondering if a Green Tree Boa is a good choice for a first boa/python and ultimately, how big it will get.

Thanks very much,

MSG:sorry:

[cedwards]

Just wondering if a Green Tree Boa is a good choice for a first boa/python and ultimately, how big it will get.

Thanks very much,

MSG:sorry:No they are not good for your first boa. If I were you I would get a Colombian red tail. The ETB is very aggressive and at adult they are 8 feet and 4 big teeth. Hope that helps and good luck if you get one.
Cheers
Chuck

[PDXErik]

They are fantastic, and it was brought up in another thread that any snake is fine for a first as long as you know what you are getting into, have done the research, and are willing to put forth the effort.

An emerald tree boa is a wonderful snake but not very nice. Expect to get bit and don't expect it to ever not bite. Lots of care and quite expensive.

If you want a snake that won't be curious about you, will try to get away whenever it can, will go on hunger strikes, will bite periodically (not all the time, just when your hand is in the cage), is very expensive, but is very pretty, then run with it. (I think they have more than 4 big teeth, too)

If you want a snake that you'll be able to sit and watch TV with, have only moderate humidity requirements, will climb you like a tree and be comfortable going to the pet store sometimes, then get a red tail.

[cedwards]

Well in my boa book that I have it states four good reasons to think twice before buying a emerald tree boa is the 4 large teeth in its mouth. If I had a pic of it on my computer I would post it.
Cheers
Chuck

[PDXErik]

Right, the bird-catching teeth.

Holy CRAP! I was googling around, looking for these teeth.

I found it in a pdf. A picture of four extremely large teeth. They have more behind them, but those are shockingly long.

Dangit, I can't find it again.

[gonesnakee]

Neither an Emerald Tree Boa nor a Green Tree Python are good begginer snakes. They are even a challenge for intermediate keepers. I'd suggest starting off with a Carpet Python maybe & even they are not the best choice for a first snake. Mark

[aggie97]

I started with a ball python. I think they are by far the easiest. They natural defense is to hide. I have no issues with humidity and know folks that use lamps or rocks without issue for warmth. I have a big female, close to 5 foot, and I let my six year old son haul her around the school I teach at. Plus they are inexpensive. If you are just looking for a snake you might check out cornsnakes. They come in lots of colors and are docile and easy to manage.

[gonesnakee]

Well BPs are famous for just going off food for no reason which is very frustrating for first time owners & rather boring compared to a Cornsnake. Heat rocks are also famous for malfunctioning & causing burns, specially to species such as BPs that are not "swift" enough to move off the rock that is burning them. Cornsnake over BP anyday for a first time snake. Both come in a nice variety too, but the Corns are much cheaper in comparision. Mark

[PDXErik]

Boas: Everything about Selection ... - Google Book Search (http://books.google.com/books?id=frSmpJsexp0C&pg=PA17&lpg=PA17&dq=%22think+twice+before+buying+an+emerald+tree+bo a%22&source=web&ots=zfbkZ0Bq6I&sig=ZpRPQZSTs7ttGT8IIFHWOhAHejU)

Holy quacamole!

[smith4031]

I have 1.2 of GTP's and they are great, they need more care than some other snakes but not much more and they do have large teeth. don't start with a GTP or GTB, try a rainbow or or small boa first.

[TailsW/Scales]

In my opinion an ETB is the WORST first time snake you could buy. They are one of the most high maintenence snakes for humidity, caging, and feeding. They also are not easy to keep alive and good captive bred /born snakes are hard to come by. If you can find them they're very expensive. Wild caughts come in imaciated, usually with parasites and upper respritory infections and sometimes need vet care. And yes they have 150 very long curved teeth.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e393/tailswithscales/emeraldtreeboa.jpg

Get a ball python if you must have a python. They have a lot less requirements and if, God forbid, the snake dies you're not out a lot of money.




FYI: The snake in the photo was a male that I had got from a guy who wanted the "pretty green little snake" as a first time snake pet. He kept the snake for almost a year and by the time I got the poor guy he was dehydrated, emaciated, had an URI, and had mites. The snake was lucky to be alive.

[ToddBecker]

very beautiful gtb. I do not think I have ever seen on with the amount of blueing that yours has.....Actually I have not seen any with blue, thought that was a specific look of high end GTP. Once again beautiful guy you have there. Todd

[MSG]

Holy Crap!! and thanks very much to all of you that sent in a reply.
I will definitely NOT be getting a pretty green snake with 4 very large teeth as a first snake. Sounds like a ball python or red-tail boa are good choices. I would have been in way over my head with the Emerald, so thanks very much for the info.

I'll keep ya'all posted.
By the way, here's a shot of the famous teeth. Don't want to see the business end of that mouth stuck into my hand!!!

MSG:crazy2:http://www.photovault.com/Link/Animals/Reptiles/Snakes//ARSVolume01/ARSV01P02_05.jpghttp://www.photovault.com/Link/Animals/Reptiles/Snakes//ARSVolume01/ARSV01P02_04C.jpghttp://www.kingsnake.com/emeralds/006.jpg

[PDXErik]

Out of curiosity, do GTPs have the same sort of teeth? I can't find anything that says they do (I haven't looked very hard, though).

[PDXErik]

Who blew the margins??

To answer my own question:

http://www.univet.hu/mal/2004/gal/gal1.jpg

[snakeyacres]

Just so you know it is an Emerald Tree Boa or Green Tree Python ,there is no green tree boa that I know of.As for the first few people that said they would be an OK first snake you are all sorely mistaken.As some others have stated they are probably the very worst first snake other than a venomous snake!
Please people if you don't keep an animal don't give advice about keeping it.You are putting both a keeper and an animal at risk.
Here is a fairly good pic of their teeth (way more than 4).
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o191/snakeneil/Emmy.jpg

[PDXErik]

I thought the other pics of the fantastic teeth were enough (the ones where the mouth wasn't being forced open) that's not your fingers in the picture, right?

[snakeyacres]

That photo is scanned from a book called "Atlas of reptiles" I wouldn't be that rough with my babies!

[cedwards]

That is one wicked pic of a green tree. One day I will add two or three to my collection.
Cheers
Chuck

[cedwards]

Just so you know it is an Emerald Tree Boa or Green Tree Python ,there is no green tree boa that I know of.As for the first few people that said they would be an OK first snake you are all sorely mistaken.As some others have stated they are probably the very worst first snake other than a venomous snake!
Please people if you don't keep an animal don't give advice about keeping it.You are putting both a keeper and an animal at risk.
Here is a fairly good pic of their teeth (way more than 4).
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o191/snakeneil/Emmy.jpgI was going over this thread I do not recall anybody saying that it was a good first timer snake let alone the first few people.
Cheers
Chuck

[PDXErik]

I did say that it all depended on what you expected from your first snake and how much effort and attention and research you put into it.

If you want a pretty snake that will be an expensive show item that takes a lot of care, sure, why not?

[TailsW/Scales]

The way the person is hold that snake in the photo is normal and doesn't hurt the animal. It's used constantly when handling venomous snakes. It keeps the handler and the snake safe from injury.