GTP update

[smy_749]

That sounds like a sauna? Is that the idea?

[lady_bug87]

Pretty much and if the skin doesnt come off for whatever reason it will make it soft enough that you can assist it with a damp cloth.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

Pretty much and if the skin doesnt come off for whatever reason it will make it soft enough that you can assist it with a damp cloth.

I tried to take him out, and he nailed me about 5 times. So I stopped trying to take him out.

[TheSuppishOne]

Is there a reason that GTPs are known for being more aggressive? What exactly about their "natural" environment caused them to become so bite-prone?

[Starbuck]

there are more predators in the jungles they are native to? ---> it is more likely that anything directly interacting with them is a threat (their camouflage doesn't work, so they have to resort to defensive posturing and bites)?
Just seems to me that opposed to a terrestrial snake, GTPs have less options if they are being antagonized by something, so they are quicker to resort to biting/striking. Terrestrial snakes can 'play dead', escape down a hole/crevasse, mimic a venomous snake via tail rattling, hooding, etc, and of course, bite and strike.

of course, this is all conjecture. It is an interesting question though

[smy_749]

I disagree with starbuck. They are a tree species, they feed on birds and bats (not exclusively) but when a bird or bat flies by they dont have time to think if thats food or what not. They arent aggressive. Evolutionary badass's who strike first ask questions later to survive is more like it

[Lankyrob]

I found with ours at first, if you approach them from above or below you are likely to get an exploratory strike, approaching the snake from the same level meant you could stroke it and have no response.

[Mark Taylor]

Good to know thanks I do agree with smy on what he just said.

[smy_749]

Some post shed pics





There is a spot on his neck here with a piece of stuck shed....I think there must have been multiple layers of stuck shed because it didnt come off as easily as expected, and if anything, the humidity was on the high end.

[lady_bug87]

Give him another shed cycle with the right humidity and it should sort itself

[smy_749]

I got all of it off with the technique you told me with the heat pad underneath and making a sauna, then letting him run through my hands and it came right off. Only piece is that one on is neck because he won't let me get anywhere near it or he nails me.

[lady_bug87]

Glad I could help

so long as its just a patch and doesn't go all the way around his neck I would just leave it. His eyes look good from the pictures. And you said the shed came off his tail. As long as nothing is binding and there is no retained shed on the eyes, nose, vent or tail the rest can wait. No need to stress him out more than necessary

Just make sure your humidity is spot on

[Mark Taylor]

He is a spicy looking gtp I will get one some day keep the pics coming.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

Glad I could help

so long as its just a patch and doesn't go all the way around his neck I would just leave it. His eyes look good from the pictures. And you said the shed came off his tail. As long as nothing is binding and there is no retained shed on the eyes, nose, vent or tail the rest can wait. No need to stress him out more than necessary

Just make sure your humidity is spot on

According to the hygro its spot on, the question is how spot on is the hygro. I think its accurate...Anyways, I have like 5inches of substrate and peat moss, along with live plants so its pretty good. I'm going to a hotel on the red sea for 10 days though :S Taking my mom on vacation

[lady_bug87]

10 days isn't the end of the world just make sure to give him a really good spray when you leave and wet the substrate a little more than usual then give good spray when you get home