Considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection
I'm seriously considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection sometime next year. I haven't really begun my research on either and before I do I want to ask a few questions about what I do know.
It is my understanding that GTP are more an intermediate care requirement snake. I have experience with BPs and RTBs. How much harder are they to care for overall?
I've read that with GTPs width is preferred over height in caging because they will always go up but when they move around it's usually horizontally. Is this true or was a reading from a bad source?
I get the GTPs and ETBs are display snakes, but is it possible to "tame" them if you get them when they are younger? I want a display snake, but having something that always wants to bite me doesn't really appeal to me all that much.
Re: Considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection
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Originally Posted by
Jessica Loesch
GTPs really are not that hard :) Just gotta keep them misted and yes they prefer width because of the temperature gradient and being able to pick what they want better.
You can tame them with proper handling. But the bites are going to be nasty when older. It is recommended you don't hold em as babies because they are very fragile. I have handled mine some but only very very very carefully and only on their decision to do so. For some reason they enjoy shooting out the cage and crawling up my hand/arm.
Cool, thanks for the info. :)
Re: Considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection
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Originally Posted by
Brandon Osborne
Gorgeous, all yours?
Very pretty.
Re: Considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection
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Originally Posted by
Brandon Osborne
Yours are gorgeous. :)
I think I would have to stick to one though or get stacking cages and I'm pretty sure if I got into GTPs like I did BPs my already worried friends/family would start to panic. :P
Re: Considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection
i dont know much about GTP's, but as far as my understanding on ETB's goes, theyre pretty much 50/50 on the taming part. and for either one, it needs to be wide enough so they can completly stretch out on a BRANCH, the encosure doesnt have to be as wide as they are long when their straight, just as wide as they are long on a branch being in an S pattern
Re: Considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection
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Originally Posted by
Evenstar
I am no expert either, so please take my responses with a grain of salt. But I've been researching GTPs and ETBs extensively (and that includes questions here on this forum) for quite awhile now as I would also really like to add one to my collection in the near future. Here's a few things I've found out that seem to be consistant from several very reliable sources...
ETBs are VERY fragile and can be very tricky to maintain. Husbandry must be spot-on and they can still die suddenly for no apparent reason. They also have a more "difficult" temperament as a general rule.
GTPs are much easier to maintain. They are more forgiving and their needs are easily met if humidity is managed adequately. You do need to be very careful where/from whom you purchase a GTP. The Biak local can be more testy, but the Jayapura and Sarongs are often quite docile as adults with regular and considerate handling.
Neonates are very fragile and should never be handled more than absolutely necessary. So taming a youngster is not really practical. I would consider a well-started juvenile or young adult that is already fairly docile and work with it from there.
Hope this is helpful for you!
That's extremely helpful. Thank you! :)
Re: Considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection
I have no experience with ETBs so I'm answering for GTPs.
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Originally Posted by
Kinra
It is my understanding that GTP are more an intermediate care requirement snake. I have experience with BPs and RTBs. How much harder are they to care for overall?
With the right cage and set up I find my GTP to be relatively easy. He's a great eater and his cage holds humidity well so I hardly ever mist. The internet makes them out to be super duper hard to care for and that kept me from getting one for a long time but I'm glad I did.
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I've read that with GTPs width is preferred over height in caging because they will always go up but when they move around it's usually horizontally. Is this true or was a reading from a bad source?
Yes, my GTPs cage is only 24" high but 30" wide. Just make sure it has three perches (of the proper width) as various heights and depths in the cage so that it can thermoregulate.
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I get the GTPs and ETBs are display snakes, but is it possible to "tame" them if you get them when they are younger?
Mine has struck at me once. He's wonderful and I would say pretty tame. Just don't stick your hand in his cage at night.
Re: Considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection
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Originally Posted by
Brandon Osborne
GTP....be sure you have plenty of empty cages. You are going to get more of them.
Truer words have never been spoken! I plan to expand and hopefully breed them in the future. Gorgeous snakes!
Re: Considering adding a GTP or ETB to my collection
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Originally Posted by
Reakt20
are you thinking of the biaks i'm thinking of? ;);)
Nope Richard gets enough of my money. :P
I also know that the two he has aren't the most friendly things in the world.
