Been Recently Considering an ATB...

exwizard · 09-02-12, 09:45 AM

...and not sure where to go with this.

First off, some background is in order. When I first got GI Jane, she came with a Neodesha Arboreal. She proved to be quite cage agressive which was why I decided to move her to a rack and put Popeye, my 10 yr old Dum in the Arboreal because he needed more room than what he had. Jane's cage agression is gone now and Popeye seems to be happier in an enclosure which gives him more room to move around.

Then there's my repeated mantra of "if I cant handle a snake, I don't want it". For the most part that is still true. I handle every one of my snakes especially during cleaning time.

Now more recently, I ordered a new rack that will give my bigger snakes more room than they have now; my 3 biggest Macks and 3 of the bigger Dums. In another thread, I have already said that I will not catch "Empty Tub Syndrome" after I've moved these snakes into the new rack and yes, moving these snakes will create 5 empty tubs plus the empty Arboreal and I still have no desire to fill these tubs with anything anytime soon.

I can't stop thinking about that Arboreal though. It makes a great display enclosure and the snakes I've had in it don't quite fit the bill for the purpose of this enclosure. It will be empty once I get Popeye moved into the new rack. That leaves me to consider what an ATB would be like in it. Yes ATBs are more display type snakes and I would be ok with that if I was to get one but the question I have is how would that work when it came time to clean it? Do you clean it while the snake is perched? I normally use rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle to disinfect the enclosures as part of the cleaning process. Do I need a different way of applying of the alcohol? What are the chances of getting tagged while cleaning and what can I do to minimize that?

I know this is a few months away still because the new rack needs to get set up and the snakes need to get moved into it first but Im looking ahead to the details I will need to face when that time comes. Any tips from current ATB keepers would be appreciated.

exwizard · 09-02-12, 12:03 PM

One more thing. This is the Arboreal I will use when that time comes. I hope this helps.

Jay · 09-02-12, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exwizard

One more thing. This is the Arboreal I will use when that time comes. I hope this helps.

In most cases you will not get an atb to tolerate handaling.

exwizard · 09-02-12, 12:32 PM

I know and I accept that.

When I clean, do pull it's perch out or do I shield myself with a small tote lid to prevent getting tagged?

Jay · 09-02-12, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exwizard

I know and I accept that.

When I clean, do pull it's perch out or do I shield myself with a small tote lid to prevent getting tagged?

I just go in and clean, they're very easy to read. To your advantage they usually miss, and if they do get you they rarley hit with enough force to draw blood, or damage teeth.

Gungirl · 09-02-12, 02:00 PM

I wouldn't use rubbing alcohol to clean the viv with a snake in it. I would change to just using really hot water with a bit of vinegar. When I clean out my GTP's viv I just clean around him. If he is being really nasty and taking shots at my hand or face I will simply place a small towel over him and that is enough to calm him down. Then he just sits on his perch and lets me do my thing.

maximus30576 · 09-02-12, 05:59 PM

I am so glad my gtp is not that way , i can handle it anytime and clean all around her and she never moves .. Im lucky i guess

ding ding · 09-03-12, 01:31 AM

Hey man, i have had a few ATB's both WC, CB adults and babies and contrary to popular belief, all have tolerated handling to an extent and i honestly believe some even like it.

They will never be a cuddly species as they are so alert and inquisitive that they are always kinda on edge so any sudden movements can initiate a strike without hesitation, i believe this is where their bad reputation stems from but if you keep your movements slow, delibreate and dont do anything silly they will generally be ok..

Any i have worked with that has had attitude problems are usually jsut viv defensive, once out they generally calm down. I have had and still have ATB's that will quite happily come straight out onto my hand as soon as the tub is open but removeabe perches are a must IMO.

Trying to clean round an ATB will just get you bitten, if mine are on the floor i just lift them out and tub them up to clean thier viv but if they are perched i just remove the perch and prop it up somewhere and they usually stay there leaving you to do what you need to without having to worry about the snake as trying to remove an ATB off a perch is near impossible and will just be a stressful experience for the snake and also dangerous as babies when they are not meant to be handled as it could damage the prehensile tail...

Also looking at the viv you might need to add another perch or 2. Atb's dont like to drape over one branch like GTP's andd that, rather they like to have 3 points of contact, i make frameworks from bamboo to look like a tic tac toe board and this works well for me.

I love ATB's and would never be without one in the collection and i really feel they dont deserve half the bad rap they get...

exwizard · 09-04-12, 09:14 AM

Ok since it was pointed out to me that this Arboreal is better suited for a GTP (thanks BB

), I've decided that is what I will go with.