I need help with a decision...

Hey Everyone,

I am looking to expand my collection at the Hamburg Reptile Expo on April 30th, but I am undecided about what kind of snake to get. I think I have narrowed it down to 3 choices....a Green Tree Python, a Brazilian Rainbow Boa, or a Corn Snake.

I currently have 3 BP's which I keep in a rack, but I want my new snake to be a "display" snake. I have a beautiful Animal Plastics enclosure which I want to make the centerpiece of my room. I've tried to break down each species into a list of pro's and con's.

Con's of a GTP: Pricey, Can be Aggressive, Very fragile at a young age.
Con's of a BRB: Need very high humidity, hide during the day, can be aggressive.
Con's of a Corn: Not as "exotic" as the other two, sometimes hide a lot despite being diurnal.

Pro's of a GTP: Always visible in the enclosure, can be "tame" and handleable, strikingly beautiful animals.
Pro's of a BRB: Can be "tame" and handleable, good eaters, strikingly beautiful animals.
Pro's of a Corn: Most are very docile, good eaters, relatively inexpensive, many attractive color/pattern morphs.

My very first snake when I was 15 years old was a corn snake and he was very cool....but I was leaning towards a species that was a little more challenging. If anyone has any other species they think would make a good "display" snake, please feel free to offer suggestions. What I mean by "display" is simply that it will not be housed in a rack. I'm not implying that I am not going to handle it or treat it any differently than any of my other pets....just simply that it is going to be in a display cage.

Thanks!!!

No opinions???

If you think you are ready for the responsibility (which looks as though you seem to be), leaning towards a "show" snake, I'd def vote for the GTP.

To me, nothing is more beautiful then looking into the awesome eyes of a Green Tree Py. Especially if you can afford some of the stunning morphs out there.. truly unbelievably beautiful colors on them.

Good luck and let us know what you end up getting with some pics please!

Cheers,

Calen

I've heard of there being aggressive BRBs, but I've yet to meet one. IMO they're the most beautiful of the snakes you're asking about, with the GTPs running a close second. With proper caging, the humidity is not hard to maintain (Animal Plastics, Boaphile, etc, good; aquarium bad - the humidity just goes out the top). If you don't mind that they hide a lot, they're great snakes.

Can't say anything bad about GTPs though; they're beautiful and always visible, which is definitely nice. I guess for me, the choice between the two would come down to how much handling you want to do; the BRB will be more tolerant of it and probably require less work to become "tame."

On youre list i would say GTP but there pricey so my choice would BRB. however one thing that fits what youre describing is carpet pythons

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jeremy Browning

On youre list i would say GTP but there pricey so my choice would BRB. however one thing that fits what youre describing is carpet pythons

---

I don't know a whole lot about carpets...i'll have to do some research. How is their disposition compared to GTP's and BRB's? Thanks for the suggestion.

I would say BRB first, then agree with Jeremy about the carpet python. Yeah, GTPs and ETBs are beautiful and all, but they don't do much. I prefer active, moving (but not necessarily fast) snakes to the more motionless ones. And I've heard more stories of aggressive GTPs than of BRBs. My art teacher breeds BRBs and she swears by them.

I can't say for sure, since I've never personally owned any of the species listed, but I'll say BRB, carpet, GTP, corn.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SpartaDog

My art teacher breeds BRBs and she swears by them.

---

Your art teacher wouldn't happen to also live in Jersey would she? Maybe she has some available? Let me know. Thanks!

The only thing that really worries me about BRB's is the high humidity requirement. It is a very fine line between appropriate humidity and conditions that lead to bacteria, fungal growth, and scale rot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lmartelli77

Your art teacher wouldn't happen to also live in Jersey would she? Maybe she has some available? Let me know. Thanks!

---

She does, actually XD She lives in Brick. I'll ask her if she has any available or planned either tomorrow or Monday.

Sweet! :gj:

I haven't personally kept arboreals or BRB's, but here is two cents anyways...

Arboreals are by far the best display snakes, but are not great for taking out of the cage and handling (of course there are exceptions, but in general GTP's are not friendly snakes). BRB's can be nippy, but most grow to be pretty docile and are great for handling. Yes, humidity/mold/bacteria are issues for both, but with a little extra maintenance and supervision, it's perfectly doable.

They're both gorgeous snakes, and I think it really comes down to whether you're looking for visibility but not much handling or handling but not great visibility.

Yeah....I'm still completely torn. I don't think I'll make up my mind until I am at the Hamburg show and can get my hands on a couple snakes. I'll probably just buy whatever feels right at the time. In the meantime, at least I can set up the enclosure as both species require similar setups.

Any one else who wants to chime in.....please feel free. I can use all the opinions I can get...lol.

Since I just got my first non BP, and it's one on your list I say go for the GTP! :gj: Although, I would not bank on it being "friendly"..... They are known to be a vicious species for a reason ;) The breeder told me, if you want a snake too look at, look at him, if you want a snake to hold, hold one of your bps.

Here's Hacksaw, my GTP. When I was researching GTPs, I kept getting told/reading that I should get a yearling or older for my first GTP because they can be finicky about eating. He's a 6-7 year old proven breeder.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...ya/GTP/021.jpg

Beautiful GTP Stephanie! I think I am leaning towards a GTP. I really want to make a beautiful naturalistic enclosure and I think a GTP would be a true centerpiece of a natural setup. Thanks for your input.

If you have the money I would say GTP also!! I have never owned one but they are (along with bloods) the only other snakes that I really wanted to work with other then ball pythons. Just as a side note I happen to like retics and burms a lot too but with a 5 year old at home my wife always preferred for me not to work with them any more. So my top 3 are balls, bloods, GTP's :salute:

red tail boas and blood pythons are beautiful snakes as well