Amazon Tree Boa vs Emerald Tree Boa vs GTP

[The Serpent Merchant]

Thanks guys for all the input, I have narrowed it down to Emerald Tree Boas and Green Tree Pythons at this point. (as I said before I hope to have at least 1 of all three species eventually)

I am heavily leaning towards Emerald Tree Boas, I found a breeder that is only a few hours away so I will keep everyone updated.

So now I have a few question for anyone who has experience with ETB's and GTP's, I know that many people use 2 foot tall enclosures but what about 3 foot tall enclosures is there any benefit to a taller cage? any negative effects?

And of course if anyone have more picots or any of the original three (ATB's, ETB's, & GTP's) feel free to post them I don't think anybody minds lol.

[Evenstar]

I don't think there's any problems with using a 3' tall cage. I have found that they (GTPs) do seem to prefer sideways thermoregulation as opposed to vertical so if you go with 3' tall, I'd make sure it was at least 3' wide too in order to provide the sideways movement.

The "roomy" standard for a GTP would be a 3x2x2 (WxLxH) but, unlike BPs, there's really no reason you can't go bigger.

[gardenfiend138]

Here is a link on a theory about arboreal cages. It uses studies of ATBs, but assuming a degree of similarity in arboreal species from rainforests, it can be transferred.

http://amazontreeboa.org/caging.htm

[The Serpent Merchant]

I don't think there's any problems with using a 3' tall cage. I have found that they (GTPs) do seem to prefer sideways thermoregulation as opposed to vertical so if you go with 3' tall, I'd make sure it was at least 3' wide too in order to provide the sideways movement.

The "roomy" standard for a GTP would be a 3x2x2 (WxLxH) but, unlike BPs, there's really no reason you can't go bigger.

Yeah, I get that, I am hoping to have a 4' x 2' x 2' (or 3') (L x W x H)

That way the new cage will fit with my current cages.

What about with Hatchlings, can I go straight to the full 4x2 or should I start in something smaller? (Like dividing the cage to make it 2x2 or would something even smaller like a tub be best?)

[The Serpent Merchant]

Here is a link on a theory about arboreal cages. It uses studies of ATBs, but assuming a degree of similarity in arboreal species from rainforests, it can be transferred.

http://amazontreeboa.org/caging.htm

Thanks for the link

[The Serpent Merchant]

Also has anyone here ever dealt with Toni Nicoli? He is practically in my backyard (if I had one lol Apartments suck ) From what I have read on the internet he is one of the best breeders in the Arboreal world but I would love you hear some opinions first hand if anyone has any.

Thanks

[lady_bug87]

between those I would go for a GTP. They are (in my opinion) more handleable with training not to say that an emerald will not tolerate it.

Myself, I have a GTP which we can handle, and an ATB that is all attitude and does not tolerate it at all right now. In the fall I will be adding an adult 1.1 pair of ETBs which to my knowledge do NOT tolerate handling at all.

[The Serpent Merchant]

between those I would go for a GTP. They are (in my opinion) more handleable with training not to say that an emerald will not tolerate it.

Myself, I have a GTP which we can handle, and an ATB that is all attitude and does not tolerate it at all right now. In the fall I will be adding an adult 1.1 pair of ETBs which to my knowledge do NOT tolerate handling at all.

There are some that can be handled, there are videos on YouTube of it. As I said handeling isn't a big deal to me. I want an arboreal as a display snake. If I can handle it that is just an added bonus. If not I have 6 other snakes to play with

Thanks for the input

[bioteacher]

.
What about with Hatchlings, can I go straight to the full 4x2 or should I start in something smaller? (Like dividing the cage to make it 2x2 or would something even smaller like a tub be best?)

Start with a much smaller, think like 5-gallon rubbermaid shoe-box tub. They need to feel secure otherwise they may go off feed...

Here's a good link: http://amazon-alliance.com/forums/in...p?topic=2416.0

Good advice, although the neonate enclosures should have some "green plastic fencing" as a half-dome in the cage to allow several points of contact for climbing

[lady_bug87]

There are some that can be handled, there are videos on YouTube of it. As I said handeling isn't a big deal to me. I want an arboreal as a display snake. If I can handle it that is just an added bonus. If not I have 6 other snakes to play with

Thanks for the input

Handling really depends on the individual I have a friend that handles ALL her Ammies just fine as well as her GTPs, and ETBs

That was my reasoning too, we have 2 arboreals that we dont handle as often an 3 others that unless they arent in shed and havent eaten are held a couple times a week.

In the end keep what you love, arboreal husbandry is a piece of cake once you get going. My GTP is in an exoterra screen top front opening which is 24x24x36 (LxWxH) and my Ammie is in a tub that's a good size 2.5ft x 2ft x 2 (LxWxH)