Anybody handle your GTPs?

Hi. While this is mostly just a shameless request for pictures ( :please: ) it's also because I'm genuinely interested! I've been interested in GTPs for about 2 years now and have been doing slow info gathering. I know that it's reccomended that you don't hold them until they're a year or older, but how many of you here actually handle your GTPs? I know some people do, and that some people consider GTPs mostly unhandleable, but after getting a chance to handle a blue female at Daytona...well, I'm definitely in love, and I'm positive that at SOME point, I'm going to own a GTP. I just wanted to know how many people actually get theirs to handle well? How difficult is it to get them used to being handled? Behaviorally while being held, how does your chondro act? Are they as nippy as adults as they are supposed to be as youngsters?

...Oh, and like I said, pictures are always great. *grin* I've been looking through older posts in this area of the forum tonight and just can't get enough. Anyone got pics of yourself/someone handling one?

hi there senechal-- i can only speak from my own experience- and mine has been an awesome one...
i have two 6.5 month old gtps. i got them at 3 months old. in the beginning-- wow-- whenever i had to handle them- for weighing - soaking - cleaning the viv- omg i had to wear gloves-- they bit the crap out of me--- at least 5 times each.-- insane biting.
but... then time went on-- i always put my finger on their head the minute i open the viv- well they started to get used to it and i picked them up w/ o the glove-- they were cool- no biting-- but-- i did wait awhile--... now -- i tap them on the head-- and they climb on to my bare hand. they are so amazing- so satisifying. its insane-- i am absolutely crazy for gtps. such a great reptile-- i highly recommend owning one if you can handle the responsibility-- their vivs are not easy to maintain humidity wise.... so yes-- lots of time and effort is required but let me tell you--- well worth it- i love gtps...
sincerely,
jack

heres pics of my wife and I holding Elliot our Aru GTP. never once struck at anyone. me boys even get to handle him and he has been used in maney shows
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...64/GTP0517.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/grunt93/GTP6.jpg

Thanks for the reply, Jack!

Shawn, Elliot is GORGEOUS! I love the blue along his sides. It's really interesting that he's never struck! How old is he?

just about 5yrs old. I have not had him his whole life but the previous owner garaunteed me he has never struck. he is a great eater also he specially loves F/T hamsters and F/T chicks

How many do you want?
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1..._0095Small.jpg
me and my Rico guy SH07048
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...es/RW07048.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...s/DSC02276.jpg
Midori, my aru/jaya male. Never struck and awesome all around snake. He was my first chondro and still my favorite.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...s/DSC02271.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1..._0108Small.jpg
Walle and Kathryn. This is her favorite. He's from Jon Healy and its a mainland type (jaya/ sorong cross) QC0708
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...0002Medium.jpg
he makes for cool photos (check avatar)
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...0026Medium.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...0029Medium.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...11Medium-1.jpg
Sorong from bushmaster, beginning color change now. I will post pics soon. I've been working with mostly M Viridis for over a year. It takes some careful touches to hold young ones and is not suggested.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...0105Medium.jpg
This is a bushmaster local cross. She is a sorong x cyclopes mtn
She now looks great in her green suit.
http://i32.tinypic.com/s6twyc.jpg
http://i27.tinypic.com/2n9z3ex.jpg

I do have another designer neo but it is way too small to hold. Hope this builds your confidence.


http://signalherp.com/whybebitten.pdf

i held mine last night!! but i waited the full year before i handled her in any way. they are too fragile to chance it....even when cleaning etc.

David! Thanks SO much for your reply, and for the article. I'm reading through it right now! You have beautiful animals; thank you for posting pictures of them! I never get tired of seeing pictures of them (or, indeed, seeing them in person!) and your post really does make me feel better. Half the time people I talk to about it tell me that they don't hold their chondros because they're so bitey.

While I find it admirable that you're skilled enough to hold them at that age, I don't think I'd dare! I'd be too worried about hurting them. I don't even like holding young corn snakes; they're so delicate looking, and that's after being reassured that they're really hardy, lol.

I notice that you aren't really 'holding' them so much as providing them a moving, warm perch; is that because they're that relaxed, or because it's the best way to avoid harming them? The one I held was pretty big, and she didn't try to escape very much. Is that common for your animals?

Mine is as nice as can be...except on feeding day, when he snaps at anything and everything. He sure knows when he's being fed!

I have a friend who has three of them (she got me hooked!), and hers are more tame than some of my ball pythons! She and her husband get them out all the time, so they're super sweet.

I wasn't all that thrilled about owning one for a long time, and it sounds like for the same reasons: I heard they were bitey and not good to hold (recommended as a "look but don't touch" snake). Well, if I'm gonna have a snake, I want one I can interact with! But after seeing my friend's GTPs, I realized how wonderful and personable they can be with consistent handling.

Oh, and of course, the required picture:
http://www.shoresofeventide.com/author/malachite01.jpg.
His name is Malachite.

David, I think you have given me the confidence to attempt to handle my GTP. I read Rico's write-up about handling and am going to use his technique. I may try later today when I get home from work. Wish me luck. BTW, great looking animals!!

I'm posting from my blackberry, its really difficult. My monitor is dead. Green trees seem to be very sensitive in the first third of their body. Grabbing there is almost a certain bite. You can teach them it's okay but it takes time. I feel its best to hold a chondro with open hands just moving them when they try to climb you. I don't interact with mine like I would a ball or carpet even. They are best with slow movements. Most reptiles have a wrap for being nippy. I strongly believe it comes from the wild caughts that tend to be very snappy. Holding small green trees is something that only requires care and extra attention. I suggest getting a yearling first, but many love the color change. They really enjoy to explore but they do not try to escape from you. Keep doing research. Mainland animals are known to be the more calm. If you like blue dorsals maybe a sorong is your best bet. If not look at aru locals. Jayas are a variable mix of colors that are very cool. I really do want to make it clear that these animals should not be handled as frequently as other snakes. This is my, and many others opinions. I have some who will eat and be normal minutes after a good handling session and others who will refuse two weeks. It takes time to learn the snake. These are the most rewarding species I've ever dealt with. I'd keep them exclusively without any problem. Look into "The More Complete Chondro" by Greg Maxwell. Its a really good read full of into and its easy to read. Full of stories and many great chondro shots. Sorry if I didn't cover everything or too incoherant to read. Difficult from a phone.

Great post's david, i dont free handle my chondro's much, im pretty sure they hate it! I do have removable perches in my cages and racks though, and it makes life tons easier!

They are absolutely beautiful snakes. I want to get one eventually, but not anytime soon. I know people that have GTP that will tolerate handling, but I wouldn't handle mine if I had one, which i'm probably lieing because I would, but I don't know for a fact because I don't have one.

I forgot to add a "mandatory" photo to the thread, this tree hugger has never been free handled!
http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n...1/DSCN1097.jpg

^^^That is a gorgeous snake, and a great picture of it