Different GTP lines?

smittyd16 · 02-04-12, 11:25 PM

I'm looking into getting a GTP but cant seem to find out much about them.

I need some help figuring out what all the lines are and what they mean, general care for one (heat, humidity, enclosure size, ext.), and how to work with them so they're not so bitey!

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

AaronRiot · 02-04-12, 11:49 PM

I would suggest reading through the MANY MANY threads you can find here, as well as on the Morelia Viridis forum that is specifically geared to GTPs. Between here and there you will find a plethora of information

I could list some basic things out but it'd be pretty redundant, especially with regards to temp, cage size, humidity, handling etc. Read read read, it's all out there when it comes to the basics.

Lines meaning "Locality"? That is the basic area the animals great grandparent ect. came from in the wild. Like for example Aru's are named after the Aru Islands... they tend to be a nice green with a little blue and white freckling along their back, and have "stumpy" tails.

Lines meaning "Designer"? They are specific lineages produced through selective breeding to achieve desired traits, such as an all blue Chondro.

What snakes have you/ do you keep now?

smittyd16 · 02-05-12, 12:14 AM

Right now I have a diamond x jungle carpet, a pastels salmon boa, and a normal ball python.

I met a guy at my local reptile store who had a carpondro, got interested, and fell in love with green tree pythons! I have seen some high blue and high yellow ones but you answered what I meant by "lines". I was thinking more as where they come from.

Also, do you know anything about hybridization? My ultimate snake would be a carpondro but I know hybrids can be tricky.

Thanks for your help!

**millertime89** · 02-05-12, 01:16 AM

GTPs are some stunning animals, keep us posted on what you decide to do. All I know is some localities go through their color change faster than others. Other than that I can't really help you.

BarelyBreathing · 02-05-12, 01:30 AM

Arus are probably one of the more common localities. They're also fairly handleable, as opposed to the Biak, which has rightly earned its nickname "biatch".

AaronRiot · 02-05-12, 02:45 AM

The yellow animals you speak of are Kofiau from the Kofiau Islands. Like the Aru Islands the Kofiau are off the coast of PNG.

An interesting note about these islands is that there are two... maybe three... all white animals that originate from them. They are currently in europe being bred. Iam not sure of the rules for posting pics of animals that are not my own here yet, but google or a quick trip to morelia viridis will show you what they look like.

Kofiau = $$$ ...at least from what I've seen..

On a side note, and personally speaking, Green Tree's are such a beautiful species with so many pallet varieties I personally could never subdue one to hybridization. But that's just me, I like things the way nature intended and was never a fan of the Frankenstien movies

-Nice little collection you got started up

AaronRiot · 02-05-12, 02:59 AM

Additionally, recently, very melanistic animals have been bred. Darth Sidious for example. And the name of the all white animal is Nofretete. Both are STUNNING and are worth a long look.

Both very cool colour-oriented projects, not to mention the Blues which I'm sure you yourself have seen.

Jenn_06 · 02-05-12, 09:04 AM

If you really want to get a GTP you HAVE to get the book "The more complete chondro" by Greg Mazwell. It has everything you need to know about GTP. It helped me alot taking care of my GTPs.

Gungirl · 02-05-12, 09:11 AM

I think you should always have the viv set up and running for a week before you get an animal like a GTP. They are more sensitive to change and you don't want to be having issues with your temps and humidity when you bring yours home. Also don't get any GTP and expect to be able to handle it often at all. I have had mine for almost a year and I haven't handled it at all. Not even once. GTP's are display snakes not lap snakes.

shaunyboy · 02-05-12, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn_06

If you really want to get a GTP you HAVE to get the book "The more complete chondro" by Greg Mazwell. It has everything you need to know about GTP. It helped me alot taking care of my GTPs.

^^^^^

typo by jenn mate

the more complete chondro
by,Greg Maxwell

is the bible for green tree's

cheers shaun

p.s.jenn,not being cheeky pal

Lankyrob · 02-05-12, 12:35 PM

You dont want to worry too much about GTP;s being bitey as ideally you will barely ever handle them, to my mind you either get lucky or unlucky, ours is dopey as hell and has never even looked like he might consider biting. We are almost 2 years into letting him lease a room in our house and have handled him about 7 times and no more. Defo get the Greg Maxwell book tho - definitely THE source of info.

**millertime89** · 02-05-12, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronRiot

An interesting note about these islands is that there are two... maybe three... all white animals that originate from them. They are currently in europe being bred. Iam not sure of the rules for posting pics of animals that are not my own here yet, but google or a quick trip to morelia viridis will show you what they look like.

Post up the pictures but give credit to the owner.

AaronRiot · 02-05-12, 02:15 PM

Nofretete is an animal owned by the company linked to below...where you can see her as well as her white mate.

Edit: wrong name, it's Typhon and Murron...

This is a WILD CAUGHT Kofiau animal, and a naturally occurring trait.

White Kofiau chondro <sorry I can't figure out how to up pics...oi. This should do for now...

As far the book, definitely a good read.

For another, very interesting view, have a listen to Terry Phillip chatting with the guys from Morelia Python Radio. Terry is the Curator of Reptiles at Reptile Gardens in Rapid City, South Dakota. Wild Animal Park | South Dakota Attractions | Reptile Gardens

And here is the link to the radio show::

Terry Phillip talks everything Morelia 01/14 by Moreliapythonradio | Blog Talk Radio

There are two other shows where the topic is specifically M. viridis, one past with guest Rico Walder, as well as one upcoming with Buddy Buscemi and Christian Stewart, all well know names in the Chondro world.

As for handling you GTP, zero until the year mark or longer to protect it's spine, after that it's not an issue - if you can do it without causes an extreme amount of stress to the animal. Just my opinion there.

O/T- Ideally speaking, you should barely ever handle any reptile. But, this is captivity, and therefore a whole different ballgame.

**millertime89** · 02-05-12, 02:19 PM

that picture link doesn't work.

Gungirl · 02-05-12, 05:23 PM

I can see the pics and WOW those are some really sexy snakes!