Should I Get An Amazon Tree Boa OR a Jungle Carpet Python? - Page 2

stephanbakir · 05-04-11, 10:20 AM

Also, if you plan to ever touch the snake I'd advise against a gtp. You can hold a carpet a few days a week, but not the gtps you will just stress them out.

Lankyrob · 05-04-11, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Also, if you plan to ever touch the snake I'd advise against a gtp. You can hold a carpet a few days a week, but not the gtps you will just stress them out.

Kinda agree with this - it isnt recommended to hold GTP's until they have had their colour change so about 1-2 years old. We bought our GTP in June/July 2010 and he changed in February - since then he has been held 3 times only - they are very much a show but dont touch snake in my opinion.

stephanbakir · 05-04-11, 10:29 AM

Sucks that most gtp owners don't practise that. Saw a guy on youtube that took his gtp out daily for new videos from the week he got it on.

Lankyrob · 05-04-11, 10:33 AM

Yeah - the two clutch mates of my guys were killed (wont say they died) by their "very experienced owners" one was poor husbandry and the other one wouldnt eat (the reptile shop owner took it back and it was just bones - even tho it wasnt eating the so called owner was still handling it and messing it about).

Even tho we were told quite vehemently on here that we were too inexperienced for a GTP at the end of the day as long as you are prepared to follow the rules they really are NOT difficult to keep healthy.

The only issue we have ever had with our guy is a tiny patch of stcuk shed on his head at the moment - he is soooo headshy its really hard to get off but each day as he is sprayed it falls off a little bit at a time.

VioletS16 · 05-31-11, 04:58 PM

I was facing the same decision, have a viv good for both but only one.

ATB's are gorgeous and great display snakes but they've got tendencies to be quite aggressive which is a drawback if you want a handling snake or even if you are in the room the snake is being kept in a lot. I keep all my snakes in my room (that's why I call it the serpentarium...2 big vivs and a big rack lol and 3 tanks too!) so I go in it a lot, I do not want a snake that's going to be biting the glass 24/7, for the snake's sake.

In the end, I decided I wanted a Baron's Racer, but that's not an option, so I'm going to say a JCP! Always loved those

LilRyno · 08-19-11, 11:57 PM

I think ATBs are great, and personally am of the opinion that if you're willing to take a few (ok maybe more) bites, you can get your ATB pretty tame. I have one and he's the only one I've had, been about a year now. I'm typically pretty comfortable with snakes, caught some moccasins in the wild and many other snakes, but the ATB is the only one bought from a pet store.

The guy at the pet store was using a hook and was afraid of the snake. With good reason, he was really aggressive. About four to five foot when purchased. At home he would strike the glass, would strike at anything that moved, I put him in a vertical cage with a tree and when I tried to handle him, he would come to meet you (didn't shy away at all, and he was ready to party). I used to wear glasses to shield my eyes, it would take me at least a half an hour to get him out, and I was somewhat scared. First time he bit me, it left a bruise. Lots of force. Over time and handling him everyday it got easier. Sometimes he'd strike, but it would be much less forceful, almost like a warning shot. Sometimes he doesn't even open his mouth during a strike. For months now, I handle him freely and he knows me, and I even kiss him with abandon (the first two time I tried that resulted in some blood). But here is what I've learned.

They're very afraid of anything that is different. But they do learn after repittiion to not be afraid. Different surroundings, definitely erratic motion, and he does NOT like being put on the ground. Not a ground snake and I think he feels vulnerable if on the ground, which makes some sense for a tree snake. It's hard to tell when they're sleeping, so if you wake him up, he may sigh or be alarmed until he can figure out what's going on.

But they really can be "tamed" given these conditions. They're just very afraid. They have to get to know you, and get used to things, and you have to fight through the fear with them. They look fierce, and they have no expressions, and they want to check out what is going on around them (and they take a few tongue flicks to figure it out while they reserve the option to bite), and they think offense is the best defense but they can warm up to you and be pretty tame. You have to establish a pattern with them, something familiar. And despite the great luck I've had with mine, I know that the potential to get bit is always there if the approach alarms them.

They're great snakes. But they do require some work and some blood, at least in my experience.