This is my Bredli. There are many like it...

[rock]

I have had 2 GTP's !!

And they are anything but boring

I was fortunate enough to be able to pick mine up in person at "Ophiological Services" in Florida. Back when the Bessettes still had mostly GTP's. Their facility was simply amazing. So clean you could eat off the floor. Beautiful setups. And a LOT of little GTP hatchlings.

They made me clean all the hatchling GTP's tubs. hahaha!!! Great way to pick out your favorite. That is where I got my first bite!! Funny enough out of those many hatchlings, only one snapped at me. Of course it didn't hurt. They are truly TEEEENY tiny!!

I was only going to get one, but I couldn't decide between a canary yellow one and a deep burgundy red one, so I got them both. They are so much fun to observe. They do not hide. They are draped over a branch and are stunning to look at. In the evening they "hunt".

To watch the babies change colors from the yellow/red to green is amazing.

Both of mine were 100% tame from the get go. Easy to handle. You just have to be extremely careful with the little ones, oh so fragile! You don't just pick them off of a branch. Rather what you do is put your hand sideways (as if you were to ask a bird to "step up") and then use your hand as a branch. You come from underneath and gently nudge the GTP from the branch onto your hand, replacing the branch with your hand. They will then loosen their coils and let you move your hand in between, while they will also start moving onto your hand.

Removable branches are a must, makes maintenance so easy.

Never ever EVER reach into the enclosure in the evening/at night. Its sort of funny. You stand in front of their enclosure and they just "sit there". Then you blink and they are closer. Then you blink and they are right there, on the other side of the glass.

I didn't handle mine as much as the Ball Pythons, but when I did, they were not difficult to handle at all. Not as fast or flighty as some snakes can be. They do have long teeth (to be able to catch birds and bite through feathers) but mine never bit me so I can't tell you how bad it would be. For people enjoying "display" cages and living art, they are a must!

But then, so are many others

Wow, great explanation and write up. Now I want one even more. I have seen pictures, of course, but to see this little red Biak in person, it just stopped me in my tracks. Just amazing looking. Hard to believe, really. And, yes, very small and delicate looking at this point.

The first time I saw the adult green GTP, same thing. Just in awe.

I like the, "blink and they are closer". Sounds like a great arboreal snake. You are lucky to have had so many. I'll just have to compile my list for now and appreciate them from afar. Unless, of course, I have a moment of weakness.

p.s. I looked up Ophiological Services. They seem top notch!

[rock]

Update: I had not handled Alpha for a couple days so I took him out tonight. I should have realized more quickly that something was off. It was dark out and he was still in his hide. He also looked a little darker.

When I picked him up he was a little more flighty than usual. As he moved around and began to crawl up my arm I finally got a good look at his face and saw quite clearly that his eyes were hazy. Yep, going into shed. I decided to put him back to prevent any further stress.

I I was a little disappointed but also happy that he is growing and in need of a shed. I'll have to decide on Thursday if I am going to attempt to feed him. My BPs still et when they are shedding so I will likely try.

[rock]

He did not eat.. I fed a rat pup tonight as usual, it would his been his third consecutive week on rat pups. The only difference this week is the cloudy eyes. No other signs of shedding yet so I thought I would try.

Live rat pup, Bredli was not interested at all. He moved around the tub and took notice of the rat, even coming face-to-face a couple of times, but he always ended up retreating and never took a strike. After awhile it was apparent he had no interest. Hopefully, it's a quick shed and he is back to business soon. My BPs eat when they are shedding so it was a little surprising he didn't.

[EL-Ziggy]

I'm sure he'll pick right up where he left off after his shed Rock. I've had some snakes eat while in shed and others that refuse. I don't feed any of them during shed now and they're almost always chomping at the bit when they're done.

[Aste88]

Such a beautiful carpet!!!

Keep us updated

Also: This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my rifle and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of our enemy, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen.

great quote

[rock]

I'm sure he'll pick right up where he left off after his shed Rock. I've had some snakes eat while in shed and others that refuse. I don't feed any of them during shed now and they're almost always chomping at the bit when they're done.

Thanks, Zig, I hope so.

[rock]

Such a beautiful carpet!!!

Keep us updated

Also: This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my rifle and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of our enemy, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen.

great quote

Thank you very much and I will...

You've got it! Amen.

[dboeren]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it - it's common for many snakes to refuse food while shedding. Let him finish and he'll be hungry again.

[rock]

Thank you, everything in my mind says that is totally correct so it puts me at ease a bit. However, I will be waiting patiently/concerned until he eats again.

[zina10]

Nix the concern !!

During digestion the internals of a snake go into "over drive". A lot of things going on.

During shedding there is also a bunch of "things going on". Plus a snake may not want to create a "bump" the skin has to roll over and off of.

Some eat during shed, some are fine doing it. Many refuse. Completely and utterly normal.

As a matter of fact, I don't even offer food during shed, and all mine are fine